Mads Hermansen is not the only West Ham United goalkeeper who should benefit from Lukasz Fabianski’s shock return to the Premier League outfit.
And while there are some who feel Fabianski may be the Hammers’ number one again soon enough, the 40-year-old former Poland international insists – at least in public – that he is content with what he calls a ‘completely different’, more backseat role at the London Stadium.
Lukasz Fabianski was brought back into the fold, three months after his contract expired, in order to provide plenty of experience and a vocal presence behind the scenes at West Ham United.
And though many supporters hope that Fabianski will be a help to Mads Hermansen, rather than a pressure-raising hindrance for an already under-the-microscope shot-stopper, East London is home to a whole array of talented young goalkeepers who can learn plenty of lessons from their wise old teammate.
Finlay Hooper, for one.
Finlay Hooper desperate to learn of West Ham United ‘legend’ Lukasz Fabianski
While Mason Terry continues his development on loan at Braintree and as near-namesake Finn Herrick makes a temporary switch to Boreham Wood – Under-21 coach Mark Robson feels Herrick has made ‘excellent’ progress in recent times, particularly with the ball at his feet – 17-year-old Finlay Hooper signed professional terms with the Hammers on Thursday.
Hooper was on the bench as West Ham thrashed MK Dons 5-1 in their EFL Trophy opener on Tuesday.
This meant the 17-year-old had a front row seat as Lukasz Fabianski marked his Hammers return with what the aforementioned Robson described as a ‘very good’ display between the sticks.
“Fabianski is a club legend. Everybody loves him,” Hooper tells the club’s official website of a goalkeeper who made 216 Hammers appearances while winning the Europa Conference League under David Moyes.
“When we did pre-match at the hotel [before the MK Dons clash], I was asking him questions. He’s a genuine guy, doesn’t think he’s better than anyone else, and speaks to everyone with respect, which I really admire. That’s who you want to learn from.”
Fabianski’s hopes of a comeback clean sheet were ruined by an MK Dons penalty in Buckinghamshire, on a night when Preston Fearon – 22 years his junior – scored twice.
“I thought Lukasz really helped us,” Robson said after watching Callum Marshall hit a brace of his own. “He was calm on the ball, made a couple of very good saves, and gave the younger players around him real confidence.
“I don’t think it was a penalty and I felt we deserved a clean sheet. But overall, the defending from the front right the way through was top quality.”
Goalkeeper Hooper delighted as he signs professional terms with the Hammers
Finlay Hooper establishing himself as a regular in Robson’s Under-21 squad after stepping up from the Under-18s. With Terry and Herrick out on loan, the teenager will be hoping he has an entire season of consistent football ahead of him.
“This is just the start. You don’t stop when you get your first professional contract,” Hooper beams. “Now I want the next one, then the next one, and then to be looking at the first team. It’s crazy being around them and training with them.”
“It’s a completely different environment [at Rush Green]. At Chadwell Heath, you’re still learning the structure of the game, how they want you to play. Over here, you’ve got a bit more freedom, and there’s more emphasis on winning.
“Being so close to the first team, just a pitch away, it’s a massive thing. If you want to be over there, you’ve got to prove it. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a few training sessions, in-house games, time on the bench and things like that. Being around those players, that’s where you want to be.”
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