As stories continue to circulate and the strength of rumours grows, players suddenly seem ‘closer’ to a move instead of just being words on a ‘report’. During one transfer window West Ham have enough links with players to populate the whole of Hackney Marshes on a Sunday morning.
The increasing speculation appears to indicate a growing likelihood of goal keeper Mads Hermanson being West Ham’s chosen goal keeper target: Leicester City’s relegated shot stopper performed well inspite of his side’s relegation, having made his breakthrough with the Foxes the year before when they were promoted out of the championship.
His style would suit the method in which Graham Potter is seeking to play: By all accounts he is a real ball player, often acting as Leicester’s extra defender. An article from Foxes fan site thefosseway.net caught my eye, penned by someone who, unlike me, has actually watched him perform. Entitled “Our Danish friend: Why Mads Hermansen is a Champions League ‘keeper”, the article from last season shows serious admiration fro the young Dane:
“Mads Hermansen stood in the centre of defence, 30 yards out of his goal, passing the ball left and right like a prime Virgil Van Dijk. What on earth is he doing there?….Almost a third of the way into this Championship campaign, it’s become clear that Leicester City have got an absolute bargain with the reported £6m purchase of Hermansen ….we have a top six goalkeeper on our hands.”
So perhaps Potter’s reported overlooking of Ramsdale and miss-step over Kelleher may all be part of some celestial grand design to enable the Dane to land at London stadium. By the sound of it, the risk-taking, ball playing Hermanson as competition for Alphonse Areola would certainly make for a more entertaining season.
I bloody hope Potter and co are scouting this u21s euros, some proper talent on show in Slovakia at the moment
Recommended him few weeks back Would be a brilliant signing At last some common sence
I’m not sure about this one being an upgrade. Like the writer I haven’t seen much of him in action. Just the two games against West Ham and , of course, the weekly diet of highlights. However I seem to recall he lost his place to a guy called Stolarczyk towards the end of the season which, if true, might suggest he isn’t the real deal. In any case I can’t subscribe to the apparently growing clamour to replace Areola. Most people agree he isn’t the best with the ball at his feet but the majority regard him as a top shot stppoer which, surely, has to be the main requisite for a goalie.
Put mind at rest Geoff he got injured at back end of season Really good keeper mate
Why spend in all likelihood £25 on a goalkeeper? Oh yes Potter wants everyone in defence to be able to pass the ball out. An admirable aim but hardly a priority in a team that can’t score enough goals . We haven’t got European football where you can alternate keepers so surely Areola will leave.
Potter get out of our club
At £25 he’s a snip.
One would expect the signing of Hermanson to see Alphonse exiting WHU.
But again if there is competition for him we will struggle.