Tony Cottee has expressed concerns over Alphonse Areola's recent performances, particularly his distribution and command of the penalty area, stating that there seems to be a lack of confidence in him that might be affecting West Ham's defensive stability. He noted, "I must admit at the moment the goalkeeper doesn't fill me with any confidence. He is a good shot-stopper, but his distribution, his command of the penalty area... there seems to be a lot of hesitancy in front of him."
Areola's struggles were most evident during Tottenham's third goal, where his poor distribution resulted in a swift Spurs counter. After saving an initial shot from Son, the ball deflected off Jean-Clair Todibo before ricocheting back off Areola, resulting in an own goal that further cemented West Ham's collapse. This incident highlighted the defensive issues that Areola has been facing lately.
Despite his recent difficulties, Areola has had some memorable moments at West Ham since joining on loan from PSG in 2021. He played a vital role in the Hammers' Europa League journey during the 2021-22 season and helped secure the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2023, showcasing the potential he holds as a goalkeeper.
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