West Ham United already have a so-called ‘striker curse’ to contend with. Now, with Aaron Ramsdale potentially on his way to the Premier League outfit, the Hammers faithful are fearing another unhelpful hoodoo.
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey exclusively told Hammers News on Tuesday that Graham Potter is a big fan of the Southampton goalkeeper, feeling he would fit the system he is trying to introduce at the London Stadium.
Aaron Ramsdale, especially during that excellent first season at Arsenal, proved himself to be one of the finest ball-playing glovesman around after all.
Ian Wright, the Gunners legend, once described Ramsdale’s distribution as ‘magnificent’.
If this is one of the main flaws in Alphonse Areola’s game – the former Real Madrid man was a ‘glaring weak spot’ for West Ham United throughout the 2024/25 campaign – then Ramsdale would undoubtedly represent an upgrade in a number of different areas.
Especially under a coach who would ideally like to dominate possession and build from the back.
Darren Bent urges West Ham United to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton
Darren Bent, the Arsenal-supporting former Premier League marksman, feels that Ramsdale would be a substantial improvement on the likes of Areola, Wes Fotheringham and a departing Lukasz Fabianski.
And while some West Ham supporters are understandably concerned about the fact Ramsdale has been relegated from the top-flight now on three separate occasions – hardly the kindest of omens – Bent would rather focus on Ramsdale’s inclusion in the 2022/23 PFA Team of the Year and how bright, if brief, he burned between the sticks at Arsenal.
“He was very good [at Arsenal]. I’m guessing the factor [why he left] were that Mikel Arteta had wanted David Raya for a long time, but it was harsh the way he lost his spot,” Bent explains, Ramsdale succeeded by the former Brentford ace just weeks after he was named the finest goalkeeper in the competition.
“He needs to be playing in the Premier League. I know for a fact he is more than good enough to play in the Premier League.
“You’ve got Areola, Fotheringham, Fabianski is 40 years old. Areola is 32. But I think ‘Rambo’ is better than all of those. So if he can get to West Ham…
“He was [relegated with] Sheffield United, Bournemouth and Southampton, but he was brilliant for Arsenal.”
West Ham tipped to sign Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen
West Ham were linked with Caoimhin Kelleher before Brentford sealed a bargain deal for the Liverpool ace this week.
Ramsdale, while a lot more expensive, could still prove to be excellent value for money himself. Due to Southampton’s relegation, the England international can be snapped up for £25 million this summer.
Talks got underway with The Saints a few days ago.
Former Denmark international turned pundit Peter Kjaer, meanwhile, feels Potter and co should set their sights on another talented shot-stopper who suffered the ignominy of divisional demotion in 2024/25.
West Ham could do worse than Leicester’s Mads Hermansen, he believes.
“Their goalkeeping situation is not very good. Fabianski is finished. Areola is okay, but I don’t think he is skilled enough to be an extraordinary first-choice goalkeeper,” Kjaer tells Tipsbladet.
“It’s a nice place, located in London and it’s a club that wants a little more. It’s a nice shelf for him. It’s an upgrade and for a club that wants to be ambitious.
“They have Graham Potter, who wants to play the ball out, and he is significantly better with his feet than Areola.”
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