Manuel Pellegrini says Lukasz Fabianski deserves to be West Ham’s Player of the Year — but hopes their brilliant keeper’s not even a contender for the award in 12 months' time.
Fabianski has proved one of the bargains of the season, since arriving from relegated Swansea for just last summer. New boss Pellegrini has been delighted with the ex-Arsenal reserve’s contribution, but is also annoyed that he has had to make so many saves. Premier League
The 34-year-old Poland international has let in 54 Premier League goals in their 36 games so far — but has prevented plenty of others. And Pellegrini says his outfield players must make sure Fabianski has a quieter time next season if they are to qualify for Europe.
He said: “Lucasz deserves every award that he can receive.
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“The price that we brought him here, of course, it was a very good one. Would I prefer him not to be so busy next season? I certainly hope we are able to concede less goals. That is one of the reasons why we didn’t improve this season.
“Lukasz has had not only a good season playing good games but he has also had a ‘regular’ season - the same performance in every game. Every player can make a mistake but he hasn’t made too many.”
The Hammers can't finish any higher than eighth after a run of just one win in five and will probably have to beat both Saturday's visitors Southampton and Watford in next Sunday's season finale to be in the top half.
Pellegrini, who lost his first four league matches in charge of the Londoners but got them into Europa League contention, said: “For me, it has been a quiet season.
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"If we win the next two games then of course it will be better, but all of us must demand more of ourselves and improve this club.
“Maybe this season has been OK. We had a lot of new players, we had too many injuries but we have been always around the middle to top of the table so it is not a bad season.”
Many fans have opted to cheer on the West Ham women’s team against their Manchester City counterparts in Saturday evening's FA Cup Final instead of going to the London Stadium for the Saints' visit.
The Premier League rejected a Hammers request to move the Premier League fixture from 3pm to a lunchtime kick-off so supporters could make a dash across the capital to Wembley.
