So often goalkeepers are burdened with the blame when it all goes wrong. West Ham, in the shape of Darren Randolph and Adrian, have two goalkeepers that have produced heroics on occasion. Slaven Bilic, however, must be wondering why neither seem to be able to replicate quite the same standard of performances on a regular basis.
In a season that promised so much for West Ham, so much has gone wrong. The goalkeepers, who cannot be absolved of blame, have been regularly exposed as the defence has parted with ease. West Ham’s defence, simply, has been rather too accommodating to the opposition forwards. They have conceded more than almost anyone else in England’s top flight and that, alone, is enough to send shivers down the spine of the club.
Nonetheless, Bilic appears unconvinced – dropping his habitual No.1 Adrian for the 5-1 defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
The January market is naturally an inflated place. Prices are gargantuan in some corners, while clubs do all they can to fend off interest in their prized assets. Money is not the issue for West Ham – or it shouldn’t be – if a signing can help them to stave off relegation.
With that in mind, here are FIVE of the best goalkeepers they should consider this winter…
Asmir Begovic
Asmir Begovic’s move to Chelsea was an odd one at the time and it continues to look bizarre. From one of the league’s best goalkeepers, Begovic is a rarely-seen backup at Stamford Bridge. His talent, as was evident when he featured for Chelsea regularly last season, has not diminished, however.
Few goalkeepers of Begovic’s quality will accept being on the sidelines for long and it is questionable that he has remained unseen for such a long period. If West Ham are to add a new shot stopper, they won’t find many better options.
Michel Vorm
Like Begovic, Michel Vorm has seen his career rot over the last couple of years on the bench. Filling in during cup competitions primarily, Vorm is no more than an understudy to Hugo Lloris. His quality is deserving of far more than that, mind.
The Dutchman was an excellent stopper during his time with Swansea City and there is no reason he could not replicate that at West Ham. With more obvious weaknesses than Begovic, Vorm would probably be available at a more reasonable price.
Tom Heaton
Buying the flavour of the month is always particularly expensive. Anything that is talked about and admired will cost that little bit more, but there’s good reason to stump up that additional fee for someone as good as Tom Heaton.
Burnley would be well and truly in the mire by now if it wasn’t for Heaton and that in itself will increase any potential fee. Whatever the cost, however, West Ham have to consider Heaton as an option.
Benoit Costil
Since joining Rennes back in 2011, Benoit Costil has been a stalwart of the Ligue 1 side. Still only 29, he has appeared over 200 times for the French club. Rennes are enjoying a very strong season in the French top flight, currently setting the pace for the ‘best of the rest’ in fourth place.
Costil is an experienced alternative to Randolph or Adrian and might just be perfect for the Premier League.
Alex Smithies
Queens Park Rangers’ goalkeeper has been linked with a move to the Premier League for several years. Often seen as one of the Championship’s strongest goalkeeping options during his time with Huddersfield, Smithies has continued to build on his reputation while at Rangers.
Although QPR will be reluctant to sell and bigger names might be available for the goalkeeping berth, Smithies is a viable option for the Hammers this winter.
