Pablo Zabaleta has been a central part of West Ham’s revival in recent weeks.
The former Argentina international continues to defy his age as he puts in impressive shifts for the Hammers.
At the moment, he has nailed down his starting spot at right-back. But with his contract coming to an end this summer, where does Zabaleta’s future lie?
While West Ham might (and should) reward the 33-year-old with an extension, they will also be wary that they need a long-term replacement at right-back.
Ryan Fredericks could fill his boots but he will need some competition and Derby County’s Jayden Bogle is the ideal man for the job.
Bogle at Derby
Bogle only made his debut this season but he already looks at home at Championship level.
The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene and already made the right-back spot his own at Pride Park.
Playing under former West Ham midfielder Frank Lampard, Bogle has featured nine times for Derby and is a key part of their plans.
Just under a year ago, Bogle scored against West Ham’s under-23 team so that should have sparked the Hammers scouts into action.
This is a talent that cannot be ignored. The only stumbling block here is that he would probably command a hefty transfer fee.
Bogle recently committed his future to the Rams by signing a four-year deal.
However, if Derby fail to win promotion this year, the Premier League could come calling already for the exciting teenager.
Fredericks or Bogle
If Zabaleta did leave this summer, Bogle would be the ideal replacement.
It would allow Fredericks to step forward into the starting role with Bogle as his deputy.
But before long, you would expect the pair to be fighting it out each week for a start and that competition is healthy.
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