Alphonse Areola deserves a chance to be West Ham United number 1 v Fulham
There can be no dispute at West Ham over the last two seasons as to who the number one goalkeeper at the club is under David Moyes.
Despite signing for the Hammers in the summer of 2020 on an initial season-long loan, and then making that loan move permanent this summer, Alphonse Areola finds himself firmly behind Lukasz Fabianski as the first choice stopper.
But with West Ham struggling in the opening period of the season in the Premier League defensively, and flying in the Europa Conference League, it’s time for Areola to get a chance in the top flight.
Obviously the level of competition in Europe this season is entirely different, but that’s part of the point. You can only play what’s in front of you and Areola hasn’t been given a fair crack of the whip.
This season Fabianski has been far from convincing between the sticks, and yet Moyes has stuck with the veteran stopper despite calls for Areola to come in ahead of him.
But the French shopper showed in midweek against Anderlecht that he is more than ready to step in if called upon, and there is no better chance to do so than against his former club Fulham.
Areola spent time on loan with the west London club and couldn’t keep them from getting relegated back to the Championship, before then joining the Hammers.
After what was a brilliant performance against Anderlecht, where Carlton Cole labelled one save as “unbelievable”, this is the perfect chance to make the change.
Fabianski is underperforming and in the twilight of his career, while Areola shines in big games and consistently looks comfortably and steady.
Having given Areola a long-term deal in the summer, there is clearly a plan for him to take over as the first-team goalkeeper at the club eventually. It makes far more sense to give that opportunity to him now, rather than let the summer window go by next year in the hopes he can step up.
Fans would be more than receptive to the move by Moyes and there would be patience for his performances, but the likelihood is that he wouldn’t need it.
Whether you believe Fabianski is better or not, it’s pretty clear that the gap between the two isn’t that large and the team won’t suffer for the change. If anything, they’ll just improve.
Moyes needs to pull the trigger and make the decision now, otherwise Areola is only going to become unhappy.