West Ham player likely to exit after what Alphonse Areola has done
Clinton Morrison waxed lyrical about Alphonse Areola’s performance during West Ham’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.
Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo condemned the Hammers to a first loss in four matches, although Areola once again showed why he has been trusted by Nuno Espirito Santo to be the starting goalkeeper with an assured display
Areola’s phenomenal performance against Bournemouth last weekend left supporters praising his return to the team, and he impressed again against Liverpool – albeit in conceding twice.
With Areola continuing to thrive for West Ham, Morrison believes that it could spell trouble for Mads Hermansen‘s career in E20.
Mads Hermansen set for West Ham exit after Alphonse Areola’s heroics
Hermansen is stuck on the bench thanks to Areola‘s performances, and he is surely eyeing up a move away from the London Stadium in search of regular game time.
Areola denied Alexander Isak with a brilliant save in the first half, and was not at fault for either of the goals.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live during the match, Morrison claimed that Areola’s heroics in goal are only worsening Hermansen’s situation.
He said: “West Ham brought in Hermansen and spent a lot of money, and now it looks like he could be on the way as he’s not playing any football.
| Areola | Stat | Hermansen |
| 9 | Appearances | 4 |
| 16 | Goals conceded | 11 |
| 37 | Saves | 9 |
| 69.8% | Save percentage | 45% |
| +0.68 | xG prevented | -1.70 |
“Areola deserves to be the number one, big saves last week to earn them a draw, and he’s made two crucial saves already.”
Graham Potter had a big part to play in the signing of Hermansen from Leicester, with West Ham spending £20million on the 25-year-old.
Mistakes in the heavy defeats against Sunderland and Chelsea showed that Potter signed a goalkeeper who isn’t commanding when it comes to dealing with set-pieces.
The performance against Spurs on 13 September was the final straw for Potter, and he is yet to make an appearance under Nuno.
Read more: West Ham want to sign Harvey Elliott as Aston Villa agreement faces collapse
Mads Hermansen signing highlights terrible recruitment under David Sullivan
Hermansen wasn’t Potter’s first choice for a goalkeeper, and he was cruelly exposed from set-pieces at the start of the season.
Having a player who cost that much money sat on the bench less than six months after his arrival is an appalling look.
David Sullivan is under intense pressure from West Ham fans, and the recruitment over the last decade simply hasn’t been good enough.
With Nuno yet to have a transfer market in charge in E20, it’s up to the chairman to back his new manager at all costs.
However, his track record of signing failures for big money won’t fill the West Ham fans with too much optimism.
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