Report shares update on Fabian Balbuena ahead of West Ham clash v Chelsea
West Ham United defender Fabian Balbuena was a notable absence from the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
The Paraguayan had picked up a minor groin injury in training in the build-up to the game and was forced to drop out.
Issa Diop filled the gap left by Balbuena, and he failed to catch the eye of David Moyes in the disappointing evening.
Claret and Hugh have shared a significant update though, with Balbuena now ready to return for the Premier League clash at Chelsea.
The club source has claimed that the South American should reclaim his spot alongside Angelo Ogbonna at Stamford Bridge.
It was a smart decision not to risk Balbuena against Palace, as it could have only made it worst going into the busy Christmas period.
We have seen with the likes of Michail Antonio that risking players will give them a longer period of time to sit on the bench waiting to recover.
Balbuena has been superb this season.
The 29-year-old has found new levels of stability in this five-at-the-back formation, with the security of Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell either side of him.
No other Hammers defender has averaged more clearances per game than Balbuena’s 5.1 according to WhoScored, with Declan Rice the only player to average more interceptions.
With Chelsea having spent hundreds of millions on their new-found attack, the Irons will need to be sharp in defence, and being at full strength certainly helps that.
Diop struggled against Christian Benteke, and it will be a no-brainer for David Moyes to bring back Balbuena after one game away.
In other West Ham United news, Moyes addresses January transfer plans for the Irons