Lukasz Fabianski is eligible to talk to overseas clubs in 15 days as he enters the final six months of his West Ham contract.
The club have the option of activating a one-year extension before that deal runs out on June 30 and the decision should not require much ruminating. If any doubts persisted, then his performance against Bournemouth is a good reference point.
The 39-year-old made eight saves in Monday night’s 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium — most notably an outstanding stop to deny Dango Ouattara at the end of the first half — and was was only denied a fourth clean sheet of the campaign thanks to spectacular free kick from Enes Unal in the dying moments. It was a highlights-reel performance and there were moments during the evening when it was his name being bellowed loudest by the travelling fans.
Age can no longer be cited as a reason not to extend Fabianski’s six-year spell. He turns 40 in April and has now racked up 209 appearances for West Ham since arriving from Swansea in 2018, yet he continues to improve with age, a calming presence for the back four and not prone to any major blunders, or corner‑flapping howlers.
Positioning and organising is part of Fabianski’s armoury and he is capable of playing from the back, a style of play which exposed Alphonse Areola’s unconvincing distribution.
It is why head coach Julen Lopetegui had no qualms about dropping Areola against Manchester United in October: ever since that game, Fabianski has been his No 1 and he has repaid that faith.
Lukasz Fabianski gets better with age (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
He kept clean sheets against Bournemouth (in the Carabao Cup), Nottingham Forest and Everton; in contrast, Areola only managed one shut-out in his eight games, in August against Crystal Palace. The France international and Fabianski may be friends but the latter always knew his talents would be required at some point.
“Lukasz was always ready,” said Lopetegui. “He works very hard whether he plays or not. We are competitive in each position. We are happy with Lukasz and Alphonse and they have to keep this mentality. I am not surprised (about Fabianski’s performances). His daily work at the training ground is why he is playing, but we trust a lot in our goalkeepers.”
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Fabianski is, in many ways, the model pro. He is an avid gym user, practises meditation and is aware that his body needs more rest now that he is at the tail-end of his career. Staying ready ensured that when Fabianski was restored to the starting XI, he did not miss a beat.
Even at West Ham’s lowest moments this season — think of the chastening 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest in November — Fabianski provided a positive. His outstanding stop to deny Ramon Sosa did not just prevent any further embarrassment on the night, but led to a Premier League save of the month nomination.
Confidence is the easiest thing to lose and hardest to gain, as Fabianski knows only too well. He lacked consistency during his seven-year spell at Arsenal from 2007 to 2014. Goalkeeping coaches Javier García and Tony Roberts helped restore his confidence at Swansea and, at West Ham, Fabianski has never lacked self-belief: he was named Player of the Year in his debut season, the first goalkeeper to receive the award since Robert Green in 2008.
He is like a boxer who leaves his opponent bewildered at his inability to concede defeat. When Fabianski was dropped by former manager David Moyes, he waited patiently before justifying his return to the team. Fabianski’s self-belief never wavered.
Fabianski was the standout performer for West Ham at Bournemouth (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
As for West Ham, the point at Bournemouth represented another step in the right direction. There was a Premier League debut for academy prospect Ollie Scarles, while Kaelan Casey was brought on as a late second-half substitute.
Four points from their last two league fixture have eased pressure on Lopetegui, who earned an embrace from Lucas Paqueta when he converted a late penalty to give West Ham a late lead.
The Spaniard often bemoans West Ham’s lack of consistency, but upcoming games against an out-of-form Brighton & Hove Albion and bottom side Southampton present an opportunity to build momentum.
“It was a demanding match for both teams and we did very well over 90 minutes,” said Lopetegui. “We were better than them in the first half and we had more expected goals than them, despite the fact they had more shots. We ended the match with two academy players on the pitch, so there were many positive things.”
It was a positive night for the youngsters, and for West Ham. But, above all, this was Fabianski’s evening.
(Top photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
