Fabian Balbuena was arguably the standout performer on another fantastic day for West Ham United.
Felipe Anderson may be stealing a large chunk of the headlines at West Ham right now, but no deal that the Hammers completed in the summer is arguably looking better than the move for Fabian Balbuena.
Football London reports that Balbuena cost £4 million when West Ham triggered a release clause. And he appears to have repaid the club’s faith already.
The Paraguay international has formed a fantastic partnership alongside fellow summer signing Issa Diop. And the pair played a key role in helping the Irons to a 2-0 victory against Fulham at the weekend.
Balbuena was arguably the standout performer in a hugely impressive win for Manuel Pellegrini’s men. Fulham may be struggling in the Premier League, but they have the attacking options to cause problems – but Balbuena rose to the challenge brilliantly.
And given that lining up for their opponents was a player that West Ham were heavily linked with over the summer and were reportedly willing to pay £20 million for (via The Sun; 12/7; page 57), it is difficult to suggest that the Balbuena deal is anything other than an inspired piece of business.
Alfie Mawson is a very good defender. But he is not enjoying the best time since arriving at Fulham, and he must fear that he is in danger of suffering back-to-back relegations after Swansea went down last term.
He could have potentially been a good signing alongside West Ham’s other defenders perhaps, but he would have cost five times what Balbuena cost.
And given how well Balbuena is performing so far, it surely would have been impossible for Mawson to provide as much value for money as the 27-year-old.
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