swindon hammer 6:22 Thu Jul 29
Alphonse Areola Signed
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OS
West Ham United sign World Cup-winning goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on loan
West Ham United have completed the loan signing of 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 28-year-old France international joins the Irons on an initial season-long deal, with the option to make the transfer permanent in the summer of 2022.
An outstanding goalkeeper, Areola has made more than 250 career appearances for the likes of PSG and Real Madrid, winning four Ligue 1 and La Liga titles and lifting a succession of other trophies. He spent last season with Fulham, where he excelled under former West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and won the club’s Player of the Year award.
Now, he will continue his career in east London, and will provide top-class competition for the goalkeeping department as the Hammers prepare to challenge on four fronts.
“I’m happy,” said Areola, who has exceptional athleticism for a man who stands 6’5 tall. “For me it was the best opportunity to sign for this Club, to sign for West Ham and to try my best to help the team.
“London is a great place to live and to work as well, and obviously the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world so I really enjoyed it last season. It was tough for me and for the team, but I enjoyed playing in the Premier League. We were without the fans, but this year we will have the fans back so I can’t wait to see the atmosphere.
“West Ham did a big season last year. Obviously we have the Europa League and the Premier League and the two cups, so it will be a tough season and a long season but I think we’re going to enjoy it all together.
“We have really good squad. I watched games last season so I know the potential and the talent in this squad, so I can’t wait to start.”
Manager David Moyes was happy to secure another player whose talent and quality will improve his West Ham United squad.
“Alphonse is an experienced and talented goalkeeper who has played at the highest level and performed very well in the Premier League last season," he said.
“As we prepare for a very busy schedule, he will provide fantastic competition for the goalkeepers already at the football club and we are going to need to use our squad to ensure compete to the best of our abilities across all competitions.
“We have been aware of his qualities for a long time and we have no doubt he will be another player and character who will enhance our squad. We welcome Alphonse to West Ham United and look forward to working with him.”
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Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
Mex Martillo
1:50 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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He was superb yesterday wasn't he.
Loads of points for my fantasy team as well.
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Mr Anon
11:47 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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Fifth Column 3:15 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
"If he was world class he wouldn't be playing for us...."
Such a stupid argument, we've had many world class players over the years, they would have been poached by some of the biggest teams in the world if they weren't world class
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Stowie.40
11:39 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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don’t think Paqueta comes close to HOTY, easily Bowen’s at the moment with Emerson close 2nd probably toss up between Areola & Alvarez for 3rd.
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Ron Eff
11:24 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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Fifth Column 3:15 Sun Mar 3
Clearly I’m saying he’s world class at some things, not as the entire package. His weaknesses stop him from being properly world class but when it comes to instinctive saves, I don’t think there are many better. Disagree if you like, but he has made some ridiculous saves this season.
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Lee Trundle
10:31 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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It'll likely be Paqueta, as it's a popularity contest, but Areola should be a contender for Hammer of the Year.
He's kept us in so many games this season. I'd be playing him in Europe from now on also.
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mashed in maryland
10:17 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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Always used to be a thing that goalkeepers peak much older than outfield players
Keegan once said they're not any good til their 30s
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Manuel
3:52 Sun Mar 3
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I'm pleased to say he's better than I thought he was having not seen too much of in the past, very athletic. A year or so ago it looked like a very expensive purchase what with his high wages and lack of game time, but now considering at 31 he's got a good few years left, it's looking like very good business.
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Alfs
3:44 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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100
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Fifth Column
3:15 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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He had a v good game today. But he's not the reincarnation of Gordon banks. Let's not go OTT.
If he was world class he wouldn't be playing for us.
Also Everton finishing was atrocious
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Ron Eff
2:00 Sun Mar 3
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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A world class shotstopper and instinctive saves goalkeeper. Top, top tier of world class. But weaknesses on crosses and maybe one on ones, and that’s fine because if he had that to his game too he wouldn’t be here.
Some of the saves he’s made this season have been unbelievable. Moyes must be very grateful after bit parting him for two seasons. He’s pretty much kept him in a job. When you concede as much possession as we do, you need a clinical finisher and a fucking good keeper. Bowen and Areola have done him a proper turn.
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riosleftsock
1:39 Sun Mar 3
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Him and Alvarez had great games today.
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collyrob
11:42 Sat Mar 2
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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The best West Ham keeper of my generation
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Hammer and Pickle
8:45 Thu Sep 23
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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Sorry - 2nd clean sheet this season of course if you count the DZ game.
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Hammer and Pickle
8:07 Thu Sep 23
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As others have pointed out, Areola has the kind of penalty area presence that comes athleticism and a readiness to put himself about. Fabiański has lost this and it was interesting to see the improvement in Dawson and Diop’s game as they kept the first clean sheet this season. Dawson seemed to be actually enjoying himself.
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Mex Martillo
4:53 Thu Sep 23
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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I don’t see Fabianski lasting the whole season without an injury. That’ll be Areola’s chance and I think he’ll do well when it comes.
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Sir Alf
4:37 Thu Sep 23
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"reaching confusion" .... hmmm Freudian slip? :-)
Conclusions
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Sir Alf
4:36 Thu Sep 23
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Opinions as always. Watched Areola a lot last season for Fulham ( what else was there to do but watch footie in lockdown) and he was superb. Give him a few more games and weeks with the club before reaching confusion. Takes a while to get an understanding with the defenders etc.
He is , being the younger man by some way, a better all round keeper. More athletic you could see that and he will likely take over the number one spot by end of season or certainly start of next season unless he morphs unexpectedly into Roberto the Clown.
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scott_d
4:24 Thu Sep 23
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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He had a whole season at Fulham without any or many momentous fuck-ups so a Modern day David James is way off in my opinion.
Agree that he needs to be playing though, that way we'll see how good he really is.
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sand iron
4:18 Thu Sep 23
Re: Alphonse Areola Signed
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Modern day David James.
He’ll put off the odd worldy but make some momentous fuck-ups along the way..
Needs game time & hopefully mature quickly, if he does we might have a keeper..
Time will tell..
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Mex Martillo
4:12 Thu Sep 23
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Accurate long kicking is asking a lot. I thought it was good that he got the ball out very quickly a few times to get a fast counter attack going. One sticks in my mind where he made a long throw past a ManU player out to Johnson or Fornals on the left, I liked that.
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