By Sam Tonks
This summer has seen a series of new faces arrive at West Ham United, with new manager Manuel Pellegrini keen to build a new-look side on his return to English football three years after his departure from Manchester City. With the season now just around the corner, we're taking a look at the Hammers' new arrivals, starting with the summer's rear-guard recruits.
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Lukasz Fabianski
One of the biggest footballing debates for West Ham fans last season centred on their goalkeeper. Joe Hart arrived on loan, before being overtaken by established Spanish stopper Adrian. With Joe Hart's departure confirmed, a new face arrives. Polish stopper Lukasz Fabianski arrives for an undisclosed fee from relegated Swansea City, but that shouldn’t detract from the impressive growth the 32-year-old made in South Wales.Â
With 499 saves during his four-year spell at Swansea City, no number one stopped more shots during the same time period. He has excelled into a solid shot-stopper and calm under pressure, saving the most penalties in the Premier League last year, three, compared to the one saved by the Hammers. An FA Cup winner at Arsenal in 2014 too, he will provide fresh and fierce competition for Adrian.
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Ryan Fredericks
As Fulham embark on their first Premier League campaign since 2014, one of their stars from promotion season has been lured from the banks of the Thames to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.Â
Right back Ryan Fredericks became the first signing of Pellegrini’s Irons and bolsters options alongside Pablo Zabaleta and Sam Byram. A former youth player at Spurs, the 25-year-old established himself as one of the most complete full-backs in the Championship. Registering seven assists and keeping 15 clean sheets in all competitions, including in Fulham’s Play-Off final win over Aston Villa, he looks ready-made for the step up to race across the London Stadium pitch.
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Fabien Balbuena
Given the nickname, ‘El Commandante’, meaning 'The General' - a nickname already adopted by the Hammers, a domineering leader from Paraguay joins the ranks at London Stadium. Fabien Balbuena signs from Corinthians in Brazil. He won the Campeonato Paulista for the second year running and was selected in the respected Team of the Year.
Balbuena is a Paraguay international and will hopefully prove to be further evidence of Pellegrini’s expertise in the South American market. Playing for Sao Paulo and Corinthians, two of the giants in Brazilian football, he is well experienced and is a welcome addition to a position which has become injury-struck for West Ham. The presence of Winston Reid was missed and Aaron Cresswell was adjusting to a new centre half role, now Balbuena can relieve some pressure and will hope to become the Hammers’ own defensive general.
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Issa Diop
As mentioned, the centre half position was a constant rotation for West Ham last season, and this man will be hoping to provide consistency and quality in that role. Enter a second new centre half to London Stadium, 21-year-old Issa Diop. A rising star through the international set-up for France, Diop was vital in preserving Ligue 1 status for Toulouse last season.
He was made Toulouse captain last year, aged 20, proving his early leadership credentials and maturity in a tough domestic campaign for his club. He won the UEFA U19 European Championships in 2016, scoring the fourth goal in their 4-0 final victory over Italy. An emerging talent like academy graduate Declan Rice, a blossoming partnership could soon form to control the West Ham backline for years to come.
