Premier League 2018/19: 5 most underrated transfers of the summer

#3 Lukasz Fabianski to West Ham United

Fabianski joined the Hammers this summer

West Ham United have been unable to replicate and justify their relatively expensive transfer business on the field. Last season, despite having spent smartly in the 2017 summer transfer window, they finished in the lower half of the table and were in involved in the relegation battle for a major portion of the season.

David Moyes managed to bail them out, but the Hammers’ board made a good move by roping Manuel Pellegrini to manage the side. This time too, they addressed some dire situations in the squad, and the decision to buy Lukasz Fabianski from the relegated Swansea side is an astute one.

The Hammers deployed Joe Hart and Adrian as their goalkeepers last season, and neither of them displayed enough mettle to justify their place in the squad. Hart especially looked way off his previous form, and it was necessary for West Ham to appoint a better alternative as their custodian.

Despite playing behind a fragile, weakened Swansea defence last season, Fabianski had made 136 saves in the Premier League. In fact, he recorded the second most saves for any goalkeeper only behind Jack Butland. Fabianski’s shot-stopping is great, and so is his confidence while claiming crosses and corners.

If Pellegrini decides to ward off his defensive high-line approach, then he could utilize Fabianski’s reflexive, shot-stopping strengths. Accordingly, he could minimize his weakness that is the inability to command a higher defensive setup.