West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has been exceptional for us this season, and David Moyes must be scratching his head about a decision he made last term.
David Moyes brought Alphonse Areola to West Ham initially on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021, before the 6ft 5in stopper joined us permanently just 12 months later for around £8 million.
The 31-year-old was eased into action incredibly slowly by Moyes during his first two years at the London Stadium, and he played second fiddle to Lukasz Fabianski in the Premier League.
However, because of our impressive European campaigns, Areola still managed to play 41 games for us during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons (Transfermarkt).
Now, he has firmly established himself as West Ham’s number one goalkeeper in the Premier League. I think he should play for us in Europe as well. I actually think he’s been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season, and that in itself highlights a huge mistake made by Moyes…
Alphonse Areola is making West Ham manager David Moyes look silly
The 31-year-old Frenchman was in scintillating form for the Hammers yesterday against Everton, and he definitely was one of the main reasons why we won that game.
Areola has made the second most saves in the Premier League this season with 103 – just five behind Sheffield United’s Wes Fodderingham (Premier League’s official website).
Standing at 6ft 5in tall, the former PSG man has an incredible reach, and is an truly exceptional shot-stopper. He has such a big frame and unbelievable reflexes, and he has kept us in numerous games this season already.
My one criticism of him is the way that he commands his penalty area when crosses are whipped in to our box. If he can improve that, then I believe he’ll be considered as one of the best goalkeepers in world football.
Even without that, he’s a miles better goalkeeper than Fabianski. There’s no way that the Frenchman should have been serving as the 38-year-old’s backup in the Premier League last season.
After his performances this term, David Moyes surely regrets not integrating Alphonse Areola into the West Ham starting lineup sooner. The 31-year-old’s form is now making the Scot look rather silly.
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