Why Lukasz Fabianski’s lengthy injury could jeopardise West Ham’s season

Lukasz Fabianski has been ruled out for at least two months with a torn hip muscle after injuring himself in West Ham’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at the weekend.

The 34-year-old had played every single Premier League minute since relocating to east London from Swansea City last season but now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Why is Fabianski so important to West Ham? Five things to know…

• Fabianski’s performances earned him the club’s ‘Hammer of the Year’ award for 2018/19.
• He made more saves than any goalkeeper in the Premier League last season (149).
• Fabianski boasts the best save percentage (72.37) in the league of any West Ham ‘keeper since 2016/17.
• He has outshone Adrian (68.97), Darren Randolph (61.76) and Joe Hart (57.14) in that time frame.
• He has also made fewer errors leading to shots (1) than any of the above (2, 4, 4).

The 52-capped Poland international incurred the injury while attempting a goal kick in the first half at Dean Court, and was subsequently taken off in the 34th minute.

His replacement, Roberto Jimenez, came on to make his league debut for West Ham, having signed for the Hammers on a free transfer in the summer to succeed previous understudy Adrian.

Fabianski’s injury spells significant danger for Manuel Pellegrini and West Ham’s aspirations of unsettling the traditional top six this season as he has been the club’s outstanding player since the Chilean began his tenure.

He clinched the club’s player of the season accolade last term and has brought an assurance to West Ham’s backline after the less convincing performances of his predecessors.

In fact, Fabianski boasts the best save percentage (72.37) in the Premier League of any West Ham goalkeeper since 2016/17, beating the likes of Adrian (68.97), Darren Randolph (61.76) and Joe Hart (57.14) in that period.

The latter duo also conceded four goals apiece as a result of individual errors during their time at the club to Fabianski’s one, despite playing less than half the games of the Polish stopper.

Fabianski also made more saves than any goalkeeper in the Premier League last season (149), showing just how influential the Pole is between the sticks.

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“He was one of the best goalkeepers”

Speaking prior to West Ham’s trip to the South Coast, Pellegrini discussed Fabianski’s impact in awe-stricken terms, suggesting the seasoned gloveman was one of the best ‘keepers in the league last term.

He told the club’s official website last week: “I think that Lukasz, from last season, was a very important player for us.

“I think maybe, last season, he was one of the best goalkeepers. If not the best, then one of the best goalkeepers.

“I think last season he was one of the two or three best goalkeepers in the league.

“I hope, at the end of this season, we can say exactly the same for him, because the way he works, he deserves it.”