Why West Ham should sign free agent Michel Vorm on a short-term deal

According to a report from the Sun, West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is now set to miss three months of action with a thigh injury.

The Polish keeper, 34, limped out of the Hammers’ 2-2 draw away at Bournemouth during the first half at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. It now seems that he has torn his thigh muscle, handing West Ham a body blow.

Fabianski has been one of the most important members of West Ham’s XI since joining the club in the summer of 2018. Just like during his time at Swansea, he has stamped his name as one of the best and most underrated goalkeepers in the Premier League. The veteran Pole’s consistent displays between the sticks have earned him cult status at the London Stadium.

West Ham’s back-up goalkeepers are Roberto and David Martin. The former joined the club from Espanyol earlier this summer following a lengthy career around La Liga, while the latter joined from Millwall.

Roberto, who deputised for Fabianski during the Bournemouth draw, had made just two Carabao Cup appearances prior to Saturday. The experienced Spaniard struggled last week as the Hammers crashed to a 4-0 League Cup defeat at Oxford and were eliminated in the third round.

Clearly, Manuel Pellegrini cannot depend on the likes of Roberto and Martin to match Fabianski’s brilliance and must address the situation that has suddenly rocked the club. Michel Vorm is available on a free transfer and he could be a great short-term option for West Ham.

Michel Vorm, 35, was released by Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season after five years on their books. In his five years in north London, he made 47 appearances, while he played for Swansea City before that. The Dutchman is an incredibly reliable and consistent performer between the sticks, and Pellegrini could do a lot worse than the 35-year-old.

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He is a fine shot-stopper, and he commands his area with authority. He is a calm head who has the experience of playing in the Premier League for almost a decade. Vorm would provide adequate back-up for Roberto while Fabianski is out injured, and he would be a risk-free, reliable option for West Ham.

Verdict

Even at 35, Vorm still has a lot to give, and bringing him to the London Stadium on a short-term deal seems to be an absolute no-brainer for West Ham.