West Ham United ‘fall guy’ Alphonse Areola shocks under Julen Lopetegui
Dougie Critchley has admitted he has been “shocked” by Alphonse Areola’s performances under Julen Lopetegui at West Ham United.
The Frenchman has started all eight of the Hammers’ Premier League matches so far, conceding 15 goals to leave the Irons sat in 15th place, five points above the relegation zone.
Although the 31-year-old hasn’t been anywhere near his best so far this season, Sky Sports broadcaster Critchley believes the keeper has become a “fall guy” at the London Stadium.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel (24 October, 50:55) he said: “I think he was excellent last season for West Ham.
“I think he had the second-best save percentage in the league last year after Andre Onana. Onana was obviously a disaster in the Champions League, but actually, in the Premier League, he wasn’t too bad after a shaky first six games or so.
“But this year, his save percentage has dropped down to the second worst, only above Jose Sa. They’ve conceded 15 goals and I think that’s the fourth worst record in the Premier League.
“Look, I’m not putting it all on Areola, there’s clearly been a lot of new signings that haven’t been given the game time or haven’t worked out so far and Lopetegui has also chopped and changed the players in front of him so far.
“It just hasn’t really worked for West Ham and I think Areola has maybe even been a little bit of a fall guy for a really poor start to the season.
“He’s still a top keeper, I think he had an amazing year last year as I said. He was great for Fulham on his year there as well, but it hasn’t been a great start to the season and I have been shocked by it.”
What has happened to West Ham star Alphonse Areola at the London Stadium?
While Areola hasn’t matched his levels of last season so far this term, it does feel as though the Hammers have much bigger problems than their goalkeeper at this time.
Lopetegui’s midfield is one of the slowest and most dynamic in the Premier League, his big-money striker signing is yet to start a Premier League game and his defence is routinely being pulled apart week after week.
Yes, Areola’s distribution has been poor and he conceding far too often, but he is also having to do a lot more work than the majority of goalkeepers. He needs some help from the players in front of him if he is to get back to his best.
Hopefully, both the West Ham keeper and the rest of Lopetegui’s side will get back to their best on Sunday (27 October) when they face Manchester United.
Both the stopper and the club could really do with a win at this stage.
In other West Ham news, one talkSPORT broadcaster has torn into Guido Rodriguez in a brand-new social media post
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