Graham Potter may soon have a very difficult decision to make if Mads Hermansen cannot arrest his nightmare start to life as West Ham United’s go-to Premier League goalkeeper.
If that maiden clean sheet away at Nottingham Forest felt like a potential turning point, then Saturday’s London derby thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur saw Mads Hermansen return to earth with an almighty clatter.
While it would be harsh to say that West Ham United’s £18 million summer signing was directly at fault for any of the three goals Spurs scored at the London Stadium, Thomas Frank’s side clearly targeted Hermansen at set-pieces.
Blocking him in and fizzing crosses right into a crowded six-yard area, Pape Sarr became the sixth player to score against the Hammers from a set-piece situation this season already.
So, as some at the club suggest that the returning Lukasz Fabianski could soon oust Hermansen if the direction of travel cannot be diverted, one suspects the 25-year-old Dane really cannot afford another chastening afternoon when Crystal Palace come to town on Saturday.
As for one of the many goalkeepers West Ham ran the rule over before securing Hermansen’s services, Michael Zetterer has enjoyed a far happier start to life in his new home; Bundesliga challengers Eintracht Frankfurt.
Michael Zetterer explains choosing Eintracht Frankfurt over West Ham United
Michael Zetterer was linked with West Ham initially at the start of July, shortly after Parma slapped a £30 million price-tag on Zion Suzuki.
Flash forward four weeks, and German reporter Patrick Berger claimed on his official X account that West Ham had submitted a bid for the Werder Bremen glovesman. Albeit one that fell short of his former club’s demands.
Now, when asked by BILD to comment on that approach from Graham Potter’s outfit, Zetterer insists that his plan was always to extend his stay in the Bundesliga rather than embark upon a fresh start elsewhere.
The Munich-born 30-year-old – who started in Thursday’s 5-1 Champions League thrashing of Galatasaray – eventually joined Frankfurt instead for a bargain fee of £5 million.
“I wanted to stay in Germany and I really value the Bundesliga,” Zetterer said when that West Ham offer was brought up. “And with a club like Eintracht Frankfurt, I didn’t have to think long. The ambitious goals appealed to me.
“I immediately had a good feeling, which only improved through discussions with the coaches and management. Of course, a long-term contract [until the summer of 2029] was also a deciding factor.”
Zetterer’s arrival allowed veteran Kevin Trapp to return to the French capital. The former PSG goalkeeper joined ambitious Ligue 1 newcomers Paris FC.
In the process, Trapp ended Paris FC’s interest in Alphonse Areola, the man Zetterer may have replaced in East London.
Former England international Paul Robinson shares Mads Hermansen concerns
While Frankfurt look set to pit Zetterer against young Brazilian Kaua Santos, a very affordable price-tag suggests that West Ham may have identified the one-time Germany Under-21 international as a cheap, experienced back-up to provide competition for the younger Hermansen.
And, speaking of Hermansen, ex-Tottenham glovesman Paul Robinson was taken aback when the Hammers opted to make a goalkeeper relegated with Leicester City last season their first-choice for the position.
“Graham Potter has got problems,” Robinson, who earned 41 Three Lions caps between 2003 and 2007, told BBC Sport after that 3-0 derby reverse last time out. “I was surprised when they signed Mads Hermansen.
“He was susceptible last season and, watching him today, he has not left his line once. You need help from the goalkeeper and that has not come from Hermansen.”
In more positive news, Lukasz Fabianski made a ‘very good’ return to life at West Ham this week. He started his first game for the club since May during the 5-1 EFL Trophy thrashing of MK Dons.
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