West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola could be done as the first-choice goalkeeper at the London Stadium.
If the latest rumour coming out of Italy is true that is…
Alphonse Areola joined West Ham on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021, and his move to the London Stadium was made permanent a year later for around £11 million (Sky Sports).
As good as he is, Julen Lopetegui may well need to make an upgrade on him due to his poor passing ability, and lack of confidence in possession.
Areola, 31, was actually in fantastic form for the Hammers last season.
In 31 Premier League games for West Ham last term, Areola made 138 saves, 11 punches, 20 high claims, four catches, four sweeper clearances and saved two penalties (Premier League’s official website).
The Hammers’ official website once described the 31-year-old as ‘outstanding’, and his shot-stopping certainly is right out of the top drawer.
However, he has numerous weakness in his game as well.
Alphonse Areola could be finished at West Ham
Areola has been suspect with the ball at his feet this season, and he will have to improve upon that aspect of his game if he is to succeed under Lopetegui.
Meanwhile, he doesn’t command his area with the level of authority that someone who’s 6ft 5in tall should do.
If the Hammers are to make some real progress, will we really have to part ways with the former PSG man? I think we will.
And the latest rumour coming out of Italy suggests that’s exactly what we are planning to do.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport (print edition October 11th, page 18), West Ham have been watching Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar closely.
The Hammers were actually linked with a move to sign Svilar in the summer transfer window just gone.
I actually think that an upgrade on the France international could take us to another level, and Svilar could be just the man for the job.
Mile Svilar a big upgrade on Areola
Jose Mourinho once labelled the 25-year-old goalkeeper as ‘amazing’ (The Times) – high praise indeed!
The Serbia international has conceded 44 goals in 43 games for Roma, whilst having kept 14 clean sheets in the process.
He is a very accomplished shot-stopper and is really commanding when coming out to claim crosses into his box.
However, he really comes into his own with the ball at his feet, and is on another level entirely to Areola when it comes to his passing ability and composure when in possession.
In 15 Serie A games for Roma last season, Svilar recorded a pass completion rate of 85% – a sensational return for a goalkeeper.
Last term, Areola recorded a 59.3 pass completion rate in the Premier League – quite the difference!
I believe that Mile Svilar would be a huge upgrade on Alphonse Areola at West Ham. I don’t think the Frenchman is the type of goalkeeper we need in Lopetegui’s system, as good as his shot-stopping undoubtedly is.
And the Roma man would take us to another level entirely as far as I’m concerned.
The thing is, goalkeeping is about so much more than just making saves in the modern era.
The man between the sticks is expected to be a ball-player for the very top teams – an 11th outfield player if you will.
I think that the Frenchman’s time in East London could well be nearing an end.
If West Ham really are watching Svilar, Areola could well be finished at the London Stadium.
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