Lukasz Fabianski has signed a new one-year deal with West Ham United but there is more than meets the eye.
High praise after West Ham man’s announcement
West Ham’s number one was always expected to sign a new contract.
The only surprise was it didn’t happen sooner and that it was shorter than expected.
Fabianski revealed he was close to agreeing two-year deal
Fabianski revealed three months ago that he was close to signing a new TWO-YEAR deal with West Ham.
There had been much speculation over Fabianski’s West Ham future in the last year.
The Polish goalkeeper has been a tremendous signing and servant for the Hammers. But he isn’t getting any younger and turns 36 next month.
Fabianski has been one of the best goalkeepers in West Ham’s modern history.
And his importance to the team is highlighted when others have to step in for him.
Shorter deal suggests Moyes is putting succession plan in place
Not too long ago there were reports were doing the rounds that David Moyes was concerned about his number one.
The likes of The Daily Mail and Claret & Hugh claimed Moyes and his management team felt Fabianski was ‘regressing’ after his injury last season.
Fabianski has proved he is still head and shoulders the club’s number one.
But in the end West Ham elected to only hand him a one-year extension. That’s despite the player revealing he was expecting to sign a two-year deal a few months ago (WeszloFM).
And that suggests West Ham may have put a succession plan in place.
The Irons have been linked with a host of goalkeepers as Fabianski’s long-term replacement including the likes of Ondrej Kolar (The Athletic) and Lazio’s Thomas Strakosha (La Laziali).
Many West Ham fans feel Darren Randolph is not good enough as back-up.
Sensible approach from Hammers with host of goalkeepers linked
So it could be West Ham look to sign Fabianski’s successor in the summer with a view to him settling in for a season and playing cup – and possibly European – matches before taking over from the Pole full-time the following season.
Or Moyes may elect to focus all his available transfer funds on signing a striker and central midfielder, leaving the goalkeeping situation as it is until Fabianski’s contract expires.
Come the end of next season it may be that the vastly experienced Fabianski is handed another one-year extension as West Ham’s back-up goalkeeper to his chosen successor.
It is a very sensible approach from West Ham. And further evidence Moyes has a clear plan when it comes to recruitment and building his squad.
Fabianski will leave big gloves to fill. So West Ham are right to buy some time in identifying and signing the man who will eventually replace him.
Noble drops massive hint over West Ham plans beyond next season
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