West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini seemed to hint that calamitous goalkeeper Roberto could play against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day, when speaking to reporters today, as quoted by Football.London.
And that is the last thing Hammers fans wanted to hear.
Lukasz Fabianski has been out injured since September. And the 33-year-old Spaniard filled in for the Pole, before losing his place to David Martin a few of weeks ago.
Roberto’s performances were beyond comical, and it was clear to see for everyone watching that he is quite simply not good enough to be playing for a Premier League club.
The prospect of the 33-year-old playing against Palace on Boxing Day will fill West Ham fans with dread.
But that is exactly what could happen.
Pellegrini refused to rule out the prospect of Roberto filling in for Fabianski or Martin on Thursday when speaking to reporters today, as quoted by Football.London:
“Both of them (Fabianski and Martin) could be missing, both of them could be playing, we will see. These two days will be very important to have the medical decision, the player decision and of course, mine. Roberto didn’t have good performance when he played but I always say he has a career behind him, a lot of experience maybe he was a bit unlucky but I continue to trust in him. If he has to play he will do it in the way we know he can do.”
Potential disaster for the Hammers…
West Ham will be desperate to record back-to-back wins for the first time since August. But if Roberto plays, Palace will smell blood.
Hammers fans will be hoping and praying that either Fabianski or Martin are fit to start at Selhurst Park.
Our chances of winning the game could depend on it.
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