West Ham goalkeeping future in safe hands as Krisztian Hegyi impresses on loan
West Ham are fortunate when it comes to their goalkeeping department given they have two quality senior options to choose from in their first-team squad
Alphonse Areola has emerged as the preferred choice in the Premier League, having been picked over Lukasz Fabianski for 20 of the Hammers’ 23 league matches.
The Frenchman has kept four clean sheets in the top tier of English football this season while conceding 27 goals, while he has made a hugely impressive 77 saves.
Fabianski is advancing in years and as such has been utilised mainly in cup competitions, and it is this fact that maybe causes some concern.
Areola is only 30 so still has plenty of time left for a goalkeeper but 38-year-old Fabianski is probably reaching the twilight of his career now. It means there could be an opportunity for a youngster in the ranks to step up.
West Ham might need to look at long-term option in their ranks
That young goalkeeper in question could be Krisztian Hegyi, who is currently out on loan with Dutch second-division side FC Den Bosch, who are struggling with 19 points from 24 matches.
Some West Ham fans may be aware of the Hungarian 21-year-old, having arrived at London Stadium in May 2019 and working his way through the youth ranks.
His potential convinced the club to hand him a new three-year deal in 2022 and they might want to think about fresh terms as he enters the final 18 months of his contract, especially given how much he has impressed recently.
The youngster has made four appearances for Den Bosch since joining in January, spending the first half of the season with Stevenage. Three of those four games have seen him keep a clean sheet, while making eight saves.
As per FotMob, Hegyi has earned an average rating of 7.25 across these four matches, only being slightly let down by conceding two goals to fellow strugglers Jong PSV.
In addition to his impressive performances, Hegyi has already been called up to the Hungary national team, boasting 19 appearances with their Under 21s and 13 appearances with the Under 19s. He is yet to claim a cap, though.
There is no doubt that the future of goalkeeping at West Ham is in safe hands if these performances continue until the end of the season.
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