There are no hard feelings between Lukasz Fabianski and Graham Potter after his unexpected return to West Ham with both confirming the veteran goalkeeper’s new role.
It is fair to say that Graham Potter raised eyebrows by rather ruthlessly releasing Lukasz Fabianski at the end of last season.
Many at West Ham felt Fabianski was not only deserving of a new deal but had a legitimate claim of being the club’s most reliable number one.
Potter made it clear he wanted to rebuild his Hammers squad around younger players.
Fabianski was far from happy with the way Potter handled his West Ham exit.
Fabianski was angry with Potter over West Ham exit
In fact, an emotional Lukasz Fabianski criticised Graham Potter for snubbing him in West Ham’s final home game of last season.
Fabianski said he felt ‘disappointed’ with Potter for ‘the way his farewell looked’.
His anger was understandable after playing 216 games in seven seasons for the Hammers and proving he was just as – if not more -reliable than Alphonse Areola yet again last term.
After letting the Poland legend leave at the end of June, Fabianski said a tearful goodbye and was linked with the likes of Charlton as well as a return to his homeland.
West Ham then went out and paid a club record fee for a goalkeeper when they splashed out over £15m on Mads Hermansen from Leicester City.
The Dane struggled in his first two games, being at fault for at least four of the eight goals West Ham conceded to Sunderland and Chelsea.
Areola then came in for the League Cup match at Wolves and made two major errors as the Hammers lost 3-2.
Hermansen enjoyed a better performance in the win over Forest last time out.
But there would be yet another twist to the goalkeeping situation that few saw coming this week.
It was revealed Fabianski could make shock West Ham return with Wes Foderingham being allowed to leave for Cyprus.
Foderingham’s exit was confirmed by the Hammers on Tuesday.
No hard feelings as Fabianski and Potter answer big West Ham question
Now Fabianski’s return has been made official too.
After his summer release, the long-serving stopper is back in east London.
And there are no hard feelings as Fabianski and Potter confirm his new West Ham role.
It has been suggested in some West Ham circles that Fabianski may end up regaining his role as the club’s number one.
Especially given the difficulties endured by Hermansen and Areola.
It is easy to see why many might see that as a distinct possibility.
Anyone re-watching West Ham’s first three games of the season would argue Fabianski could and would not do any worse.
Ultimately the goal for any player at any team is to compete for a starting spot.
While Fabianski has made it clear he intends to push Hermansen and Areola for the shirt, he accepts he returns to the club in a completely different role.
That role, as third choice, has been confirmed by Potter too.
Given Foderingham did not make a single competitive appearance for West Ham, there is a chance Fabianski may not actually get to add to his 216 appearances.
Especially if Potter sticks with Hermansen as his number one after such a big outlay.
But Fabianski accepts that is the condition of his return – as has also been made perfectly clear by the manager.
Fabianski buries the hatchet to accept new Hammers role
“I’m really, really, really happy to be back because this club obviously means a lot for me and the people at this club as well,” Fabianski told the club’s website.
“Seeing them again, it felt nice and beautiful…
“I’m here to support, to keep the standards high. I have huge experience as well, so I think it can be useful. For sure, I’ll continue to work the way I’ve always been doing, which is always hopefully at a good level but, at the same time, I understand that my role is completely different.”
Potter said he is delighted to welcome Fabianski back into the Hammers fold.
But he insisted the 40-year-old knows his place in the new-look setup – and that is as back-up rather than competing for the number one spot.
“Regardless of him being here previously, the main factor is that he is still a top goalkeeper and a top professional, and the perfect choice for the role we needed to fill,” Potter said of Fabianski.
“It’s a signing that makes perfect sense for everyone.”
It may be a bit awkward at first for all concerned.
But it is great to see there are no hard feelings and all parties have been mature enough to come to a sensible agreement.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
