Not much was known about Fabian Balbuena when West Ham signed him from Corinthians in the summer.
Defenders from South America don’t always adapt to the pace of the Premier League but the Paraguayan international has certainly proved a shrewd buy by Manuel Pellegrini so far.
Balbuena was recruited for an undisclosed fee, although the figure was reportedly just €4m. Most Hammers fans on Twitter think the centre-back was a bargain:
What A Find!!!
— FPL Stalker (@fplstalker) 18 December 2018
Great season so far bargin of the summer
— S (@1Westhamsteve) 18 December 2018
What a find… reminds me of billy bonds… really want him to score to see what I’m sure will become an even more famous salute.
— Jake Collins (@Jaketheteacher) 17 December 2018
What a bargain!
— Anthony (@terryant94) 17 December 2018
The bloke has been very very good tbf
— Tommo (@NJThompson94) 17 December 2018
Absolute steal at 3m
— Matt Cole (@MatthewCole2892) 17 December 2018
Bargain, General, Lad ⚒⚒⚒
— Chris Harris (@HappierHammer) 17 December 2018
I had doubts but he’s actually solid
— Ruben Revolution (@max63025057) 17 December 2018
Simply outstanding defending recently.COYI ⚒⚒⚒
— Dean Huby (@Traintolive1) 17 December 2018
Rocky Balbuena
— Mark Lighterness (@MrMarkyWHU) 17 December 2018
Balbuena has certainly grown into his role at West Ham. It is not easy to form a centre-back partnership with a player (Issa Diop) who is also new to the league.
There have been some big defeats along the way (most notably against Liverpool and Manchester City), but with two clean sheets in the last four games, it seems the defensive unit is capable of shutting out teams lower down the table.
With the likes of Watford, Southampton, Burnley and Brighton to come, Hammers fans will be hoping for more of the same from Balbuena.
