Will Lukasz Fabianski ever play a Premier League match again in between the sticks at West Ham United?
That was a question put to the veteran goalkeeper when speaking to the Polish press midway through what could be his final season in professional football.
Now, Lukasz Fabianski knows all-too well that the autumn leaves are turning brown under his feet. But even with his 41st birthday three months away, the long-serving West Ham United stopper has not given up hope of making one last appearance on the competitive stage.
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Fabianski plans to lead a goalkeeping academy in Poland once he hangs up his gloves. Until that day arrives, though, the former Arsenal and Swansea City giant is determined to ensure he remains at the beck and call of Nuno Espirito Santo.
West Ham re-signed Fabianski on a short-term deal in September. Only two months after his contract expired, the Conference League winner returned to Rush Green following Wes Foderingham’s move to Aris Limassol in Cyprus.
As luck would have it, Fabianski has been sidelined with a back problem since then. Although, speaking to Sport TVP, he is hoping to be available for selection from February onwards.
Lukasz Fabianski hopes to make one final West Ham United appearance
Fabianski hit out at Graham Potter after he was denied the chance to make a farewell appearance in front of the London Stadium supporters in May. The phrase ‘unfinished business’ comes to mind, then.
One more competitive outing, and Fabianski could replace fellow goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen as the oldest player to represent the Hammers on the Premier League stage.
“I’m not complaining. There are times when I feel like my body needs more time to recover, and that’s a slight downside to turning 40,” Fabianski says. “But I’m proud that, at my age, I’m at a level high enough to be a Premier League player. That gives me a lot of satisfaction.
“I’m getting out on the pitch more often, but for now I’m mainly working with goalkeeping coaches and physiotherapists. I’m constantly strengthening my right leg and quadriceps. I had a spinal hernia that started to compress a nerve. Because of this pressure, I had problems with my right leg and now I need to strengthen my quadriceps.
“This injury is very unpleasant, but I hope I’m in the final stretch before returning to full fitness. I’m currently training individually, but from February I’d like to work with the team at full capacity and be available for matches.”
Fabianski insists that, although he has a coaching career lined up back home in Eastern Europe, he is not going to let his impending retirement distract from his teammate’s pursuit of Premier League survival.
“I don’t want to be categorical and definitively decide on the end at this point. It could negatively impact my attitude in the locker room,” Fabianski says. “The team is in a rather difficult moment and doesn’t need any additional incentives.
“However, I don’t want to kid myself and I am aware that the end is fast approaching.
“I have my goals and I’m aware of these numbers. I’d really like them to change. Everything will depend on my health and what happens in the coming weeks.
“I can only control my own performance. Now, I want to get to a point where I’m available to the manager for training and playing. If the moment comes when he decides to choose me, I intend to be ready.”
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Ahead of Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup third round triumph over QPR, Nuno indicated that Mads Hermansen may be allowed to leave less than a year on from his £18 million arrival from Leicester City. West Ham look set to miss out on Bento Matheus to Serie A outfit Genoa too, after making a reported £10 million loan-to-buy bid for the Brazil international.
So while Fabianski represents West Ham’s goalkeeping past, the future of their number one jersey is very much up in the air.
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Seven points adrift of safety, Fabianski also knows that wins must arrive and fast if the Londoners are to close the gap between themselves and 17th place Nottingham Forest. Starting, hopefully, with bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
“We all know what a difficult position we’re in, and how much we need to put in to get out of this mess,” Fabianski says. “The deficit is significant. We’ve only won three out of 21 [Premier League games]. Now, we need to win at least three to get out of the relegation zone.
“And that’s a huge challenge, but I believe we won’t give up. We’ll take the gauntlet and fight until the end. There are 17 rounds left, and there are plenty of points up for grabs. We have to approach this with the idea that every league match is crucial, and we have to make the most of them.
“All this to build the team’s confidence. We have to be effective, responsible, and aware of the difficult situation. If we approach it this way, I believe the season isn’t over for us yet, that we’ll stay up.
“I’m injured, so I’m trying to motivate my teammates, instil positive energy in them in every possible way and the belief that nothing is closed yet.”
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