I played 102 times for West Ham and underrated current star can be best in Premier League

West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has been tipped to become ‘one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League’ by a former top flight shot-stopper, despite a tricky start to the season.

The 32-year-old appeared to have lost his starting role at the start of the campaign under Graham Potter with the club forking out £20 million to sign Mads Hermansen from Leicester City, despite the Foxes’ relegation last season.

Potter immediately threw Hermansen into the starting XI but, with the Hammers conceding 11 goals in the first four matches, the former Leicester City man was then dropped. Areola has since returned to the starting XI and held down the role.

West Ham star tipped to become ‘one of best in Premier League’

Former West Ham goalkeeper David James, speaking exclusively to London World via nva.org said: “Well, I'm not a fan of replacing people on a number of levels, through experience. Performance is observable. It's easy to critique, but understanding why they're performing the way they're performing.

“I think Areola, I mean, he's a little bit older now at 32. I think my peak in performance was at 35, 36, 37 even. There's still time for him to become what I believe could be one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League. I think he's got all the attributes. Why he hasn't performed at that level over a sustained level of time, I don't know the answer. Whether it's a coaching thing, whether it's an environmental thing, whatever.

“I wasn't surprised they bought Hermansen, I was surprised they were playing him at the beginning of the season. Given my admiration for Areola, that was the biggest surprise. But I don't know what's going on behind closed doors to say whether or not there were other factors in that decision. I mean, the way he's been performing, he's actually been playing very well in the last few games for West Ham, Areola. Even though they've been losing games, his performances I think have been very good.

David James on £20 million Mads Hermansen transfer

“So, I think buying a number two for £20 million is fine. I just hope that Areola is getting what he needs to continue performing at the levels that he has been in recent weeks and to even surpass that and become one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League. I think it is still achievable.”

Areola signed for West Ham from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €12 million in June 2022 following a successful loan spell. He has now made 108 appearances for the club, but it has never felt as if the number one spot is truly his.

Under Julen Lopetegui last season, Areola lost his place to veteran Lukasz Fabianski between October and January. West Ham have also been linked with a head-turning loan move for Barcelona shot stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in January.

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