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West Ham United worse off without Lukasz Fabianski, number one among best rated goalkeepers in PL this season
West Ham are worse off without goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, with the shot-stopper included in WhoScored’s top 10 for save success rates in this season’s Premier League.
Among players to make at least 15 appearances, the West Ham number one sits ninth in the list for the best save success rates with 70.4%.
Moreover, the latest figures show that the Hammers have struggled in the two matches that Fabianski has missed due to injury.
“With a 70.4% save success rate having saved 69 of the 98 shots he has faced, West Ham’s Lukasz Fabianski ranks ninth,” according to WhoScored.
“The Hammers may find themselves in the relegation zone with 12 games remaining to retain their Premier League status, but defensively they have a record that only six teams can better, conceding just 34 goals, with problems finding the net proving their biggest downfall.
“Fabianski’s influence in goal has played a big part in their solid backline, emphasised in the two league games he has missed this season where David Moyes’ side conceded 14.7% of their total conceded goals in the league this season.”
Huge miss
As mentioned, the Hammers have been resolute at the back this season, with number one Fabianski key to that success.
But the goalkeeper has recently faced time on the sidelines following a nasty facial injury suffered in the win against Nottingham Forest last month.
The Pole was forced to miss the recent meetings against Brighton and Aston Villa, with Alphonse Areola coming in to replace him.
It remains to be seen whether or not Fabianski can return to the pitch for the home game against Southampton on Sunday (2 March), but much confidence can be taken from the fact that he was recently spotted in training without protective equipment.
The goalkeeper, who started all 24 of West Ham’s league matches before his injury, should be a key figure as the club try to fight their way to safety in the coming months.
Moreover, with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, the Hammers should really be considering an extension, regardless of the fact he turns 38 next month.