Reports this morning that the Hammers are “planning a move” for Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge are wide of the mark.
According to Football Insider , the Hammers are looking to provide greater competition for Hammer of the Year Lukasz Fabianski, and have been impressed by Cardiff’s Player of the Season.
Whilst it’s true the Irons will need a second keeper in the summer with Adrian set to move on, the club are looking only at a short term deal of a year whilst Nathan Trott continues his development.
The under 23 has been seen as the man to step up to No 2 for the 21/22 season and is likely to be sent out on a Championship loan deal this summer to gain experience.
Etheridge enjoyed a top season in a relegated team and will want to move on -if that’s the case – as a permanent No 1 at another club – a development which is highly unlikely at West Ham.
A Hammers source revealed to CandH on the phone the Irons are in the market “only for a short term replacement until the end of the season with Trott being seen as one of the brightest prospects in the country.
Second choice keepers are tricky. Burnley are a good example of how difficult it is to have 2 or even 3 first choice keepers. It’s the toughest position to play, because if you lose your place, it could be years before you get any football. It’s like throwing your short career away.
Fabianski is our clear number 1 and I hope he’s equally as brilliant next season. There is little to no point bringing in a first choice keeper to sit on the bench. It’s arguable whether it’s worth an experienced keeper such as Caballero sitting on the bench given he’ll be on reasonably high wages. Considering the only games a second choice keeper will play are cup games, I wouldn’t be overly concerned with Trott being number 2. However obviously it’s a risk if Fabanski does get injured. A number of emergency loans have happened in the past when a keeper gets injured. If that would be an option, I’d take the risk and have young Trott as number 2. Didn’t hurt Pickford or Butland coming in to the Premier League so young.
Etheridge is decent, would make a good number two if he was willing.