Lukasz Fabianski has probably had better birthdays.
It’s safe to assume that most unforced of errors, gifting Joelinton a rare goal during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Newcastle, was probably playing on the West Ham goalkeeper’s mind as he celebrated turning 36 later in the weekend.
With the autumn leaves crinkling under his footsteps, Fabianski can’t keep defying Father Time forever.
And, with the likes of Thomas Strakosha, Seny Dieng and Pau Lopez all rumoured to be summer targets for the high-flying Hammers, the early signs suggest a new goalkeeper will be at the top of David Moyes’ hit-list.
The Express & Star today threw a new name into the frame – and it’s certainly a popular one as far as West Ham supporters are concerned.
After all, £10 million–rated Sam Johnstone has made his debut Premier League season one to remember. His ‘Thou Shalt Not Pass’ heroics have ensured West Brom supporters can still wile away the days dreaming of a Great Escape that would arguably overshadow Bryan Robson’s 2005 achievements.
In fact, no-one in the entire division has made more saves than the overworked Johnstone, who was recently rewarded with a first England call-up by Gareth Southgate.
And while no-one is writing off Fabianski just yet – the veteran Pole has been largely impressive throughout the campaign after all – Johnstone feels like an intelligent, low-cost addition. Not just for the future but for the present too.
Furthermore, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Johnstone is represented by Unique Sports Management – an agency with Michail Antonio, Aaron Cresswell, Craig Dawson, Ryan Fredericks and Darren Randolph already on its books.
Here’s what some West Ham fans had to say on Twitter about the links with Johnstone:
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