Fabian Balbuena has made just two Premier League appearances since his £4m move to West Ham United but struggled against Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Fabian Balbuena hasn’t exactly made a distinguished start to life in English football.
The centre-back arrived from Brazilian outfit Corinthians for £4 million in the summer but endured a real baptism of fire in the 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool on his Premier League debut. Balbuena then came in for criticism after West Ham’s 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth, particularly for allowing Callum Wilson to stroll past him en route to a terrific solo goal.
And could ‘The General’s’ place in the starting XI be under pressure already?
In one of the more remarkable stories of the summer, The Sun claims that free-agent James Collins could be offered a return to the London Stadium just three months after being told he was being released by email – a decision which angered plenty of Hammers’ fans.
The 35-year-old has been unable to find a new club since and is free to join West Ham outside of the transfer window.
And this hardly an inspiring signing and reflects just how bad the Londoners have been at the back in Manuel Pellegrini’s first two Premier League games.
And, on paper, Balbuena could be the man most at risk if Collins returns. It is too early to write off the 27-year-old after just two matches in his debut campaign in European football but taking him out of the firing line could be the right decision.
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