Alphonse Areola looks set to be on the bench for West Ham’s big Europa League last 16 second leg clash with Freiburg.
David Moyes will stick to his goalkeeper rotation policy when Freiburg come to the London Stadium.
Alphonse Areola is head and shoulders West Ham’s number one these days.
But as cup ‘keeper, Lukasz Fabianski will replace him for the crunch Europa League last 16 second leg.
West Ham must turn around a one-goal deficit from the first leg.
Facing a German team with something to defend is rather ominous for the Hammers.
West Ham must win the game by two clear goals to avoid penalties.
West Ham must win by two to avoid facing German on penalties
And we all know the outcome when English sides meet the Germans for penalty shootouts.
But might Moyes have something of an ace card up his sleeve?
Could West Ham star Areola be used in controversial super sub role against Freiburg?
The manager has admitted his side have been doing the necessary practice and homework on penalties ahead of the clash.
But he believes Freiburg will have been doing precisely the same thing.
What the Germans might not bargain for, though, is the possibility of Areola coming on as a substitute for a penalty shootout should it reach that stage.
Could Moyes have Areola ace card up his sleeve?
Areola has already showed his prowess at saving penalties this season.
His sheer frame, athleticism and leap make him almost the perfect goalkeeper for that situation.
Substituting goalkeepers for penalty shootouts is controversial, though.
Moyes will have to make the change before the end of extra-time in order to meet the rules for subbing on Areola.
So he will have to keep back one substitute should he want to do that.
Moyes famously brought West Ham legend Mark Noble on to take a penalty against Man United only for the now sporting director to see his effort saved.
Hammers’ big cat waiting in the wings if needed?
Two years ago the website The18 produced a fascinating piece on the history of goalkeepers being subbed on for penalty shootouts.
Chelsea’s use of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Holland’s use of Tim Krul in the same way during the 2014 World Cup – which sparked international headlines – are among those written about in detail.
Fabianski has a fine penalty save record for West Ham. So it will be interesting to see how Moyes plays it.
One thing is for certain West Ham fans would probably feel more confident with big Alphonse in goal in that scenario.
But let’s all hope it doesn’t come to that.
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