Many West Ham United fans are discussing defender Fabian Balbuena after reports have been circulating stating that the club are concerned over the form of the player and could be tempted to sell him in the summer, according to Football.London, via West Ham Fan Zone.
The 28 year-old centre-back signed for £3.60 million in the summer of 2018, but has failed to set the Premier League alight and this has meant he has been an inconsistent starter for the team, via Transfermarkt. He has only managed 39 appearances, 23 last season and 13 this campaign. The last time he started a game was on 10th January, in a 1-0 loss against Sheffield United, and since has been an unused substitute.
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It will be interesting the see what happens with the Chilean in the summer, as David Moyes seems to prefer the partnership of Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna in defence. However this selection might not be able to be together next season, as Frenchman Diop has been heavily linked with various clubs including Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.
This means Moyes will either have to trust Balbuena, or look in the window for a new centre-back to partner up with Ogbonna.
Here is what fans had to say following the news:
West Ham have had real concerns over the form of Fabian Balbuena this season, and could be tempted to sell the defender this summer, if they can find a replacement.
(via @Football_LDN) pic.twitter.com/rBhsKOP50R
— West Ham Fan Zone (@WHUFCFZ) April 26, 2020
100% we should!
The cup game against WBA was the worst CB performance I’ve seen in a long time.
He still has a reputation & we could get around £10m, that should go straight towards Salisu (£10.5m RC) or Disasi who’s rumoured to cost under £15m!— Steven McCarthy (@StevenMcCarthy9) April 26, 2020
Balbuena hasn’t been the same player this season as the one West Ham saw excel in his first season at the club – his confidence declined massively after the international Summer and doesn’t appear to have comeback for whatever reason. A move away would be best for club and player
— Josh Verrills (@WestHamJoshV) April 26, 2020
… should have ended with “if they can find anyone that wants him” ….. we or no one will be buying any players whatsoever. The World is suffering a global pandemic with no known vaccine.
— Steve Davis (@RUsureIsaidthat) April 26, 2020
He is just like Ogbonna in that he needs a run of games to get going. Chopping and changing the CN’s hasn’t done any of them any favours. He is being slated for the last game where he had Sanchez in front of him which contributed to his poor performance
— David Sonenscher (@Sonenscher) April 27, 2020
There’s still a decent (not brilliant) player there, but he probably needs to move on to recover his best form. 40 or so PL appearances on top of the rest of his career and 28 years old means there’s still some residual value there, even if it’s probably south of £10M.
— Ascrembalem (@ascrembalem) April 26, 2020
Seriously would he command a fee?!
— Peter Curtis (@Peter_Curtis1) April 26, 2020
West Ham fans, what are your thoughts on Balbuena? Let us know below…
