Credit: Imago

Jacob Raw

Fri 20 March 2026 17:10, UK

West Ham have an important decision over who to keep out of Alphonse Areola or Mads Hermansen this summer.

The latter was brought to the London Stadium last summer in hopes he could be an upgrade on Areola, but that hasn’t exactly been the case.

Hermansen has struggled in periods since arriving from Leicester City, which has led Nuno Espirito Santo to rely on the veteran Areola at times.

The French shot-stopper has found himself back on the bench in recent weeks, though, as Hermansen seems to have taken his spot back.

Areola is contracted to West Ham until 2027, but if the Hammers do manage to avoid Premier League relegation, it’ll ask a big summer goalkeeping question of Nuno and who to keep out of the pair.

Here’s why Alphonse Areola and Mads Hermansen can’t both stay at West Ham

With Areola contracted to West Ham for at least one more campaign, it’s unlikely that any other side would come in and bid for him this summer, unless he was made available for transfer.

The 33-year-old has been with the Hammers for five seasons now, and is still a great option as both back-up and first-choice goalkeeper, all things considered.

However with Areola reaching the back end of his career, he may want to have a chance of playing as much as possible, and if the Hammers were to sign a new goalkeeper, then it may unsettle him.

But the same goes for Hermansen, who was brought to the London Stadium to be the number one.

Given the turbulence of the duo’s seasons so far, it would be hard to see them both remain at West Ham next season. One of them may have to leave, and that would almost be a certainty if Nuno were to push for a new number one.

Fin Herrick could replace Areola or Hermansen

Even if the Hammers didn’t get themselves a new keeper, there’s no guarantee that either Hermansen or Areola would want to play deputy to one another.

That’s where young West Ham starlet Fin Herrick comes into play.

The 20-year-old started the campaign off on loan with Boreham Wood, gaining rave reviews before having his deal unexpectedly cut short by the Irons.

Herrick has been impressing for West Ham’s U21s since returning to Rush Green, and internal figures are confident that he can be a future starter for the Hammers.

Nuno has shown great trust in many of West Ham’s youngsters so far, and Herrick could earn a well-deserved promotion next season.