First Team Squad
Player profile and performance records.
Fabian Balbuena (Defender)
Fabian Balbuena
Ciudad del Este, ParaguayPosition: Defender
Born: 23rd Aug 1991 (Ciudad del Este, Paraguay)
Signed: 14th Jul 2018 (£4,000,000)
Contract: 3 years
Previous Club: Corinthians
KUMB Awards: Best Signing (third place) 2018/19.
After three seasons at the club, Balbuena was allowed to leave on a free transfer after the club failed to offer him a contract extension.
He signed a four-year contract with Dynamo Moscow on 9 July 2021.
Fabian Balbuena is yet play any matches this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Southampton
3-0: Sunday, 23rd MayDid not play.
West Bromwich Albion
3-1: Wednesday, 19th MayDid not play.
Brighton & Hove Albion
1-1: Saturday, 15th MayDid not play.
Burnley
2-1: Saturday, 1st MayDid not play.
Chelsea
0-1: Saturday, 24th AprilAfter his premeditated assault on a Big Six player, we can only assume sanctions will be in place to protect the best players from such animals. He was relatively fine, a bit calmer on the ball than usual. He and Diop both looked uncomfortable with Chelsea forcing them wide, but they were rarely exposed. Needs to work on his footwork, apparently.
Newcastle United
2-3: Saturday, 17th AprilDid not play.
Leicester City
3-2: Sunday, 11th April(Replaced Cresswell, 53) A couple good clearances, but then a little poor on the second goal and sloppy knocking the ball out of Fabianski’s hands earlier.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
3-2: Monday, 5th AprilDid not play.
Arsenal
3-3: Saturday, 20th MarchDid not play.
Manchester United
0-1: Sunday, 14th MarchDid not play.
Leeds United
2-0: Monday, 8th MarchDid not play.
Manchester City
1-2: Saturday, 27th FebruaryDid not play.
Tottenham Hotspur
2-1: Saturday, 20th FebruaryDid not play.
Fulham
0-0: Saturday, 6th FebruaryDid not play.
Aston Villa
3-1: Wednesday, 3rd FebruaryDid not play.
Liverpool
1-3: Sunday, 31st JanuaryDid not play. Other unused subs: Manuel Lanzini, Ademipo Odubeko.
Crystal Palace
3-2: Tuesday, 26th JanuaryDid not play.
Doncaster Rovers
4-0: Saturday, 23rd JanuaryRarely bothered, dealt with most things calmly.
West Bromwich Albion
2-1: Tuesday, 19th JanuaryDid not play. Also unused: Issa Diop, Frederik Alves.
Everton
1-0: Friday, 1st JanuaryDid not play.
Brighton & Hove Albion
2-2: Saturday, 26th DecemberReasonably solid and has really improved in how he will step out of defence to pressure players or take the ball. They will be disappointed that both Brighton goals came from balls into the box from wide areas, a strength earlier in the season that now seems to be a weakness to expose.
Chelsea
0-3: Monday, 21st DecemberSolid, unspectacular and reasonably solid.
Leeds United
2-1: Friday, 11th DecemberWas unlucky not to end with two goals, whilst he was defensively solid too. Must relax on the ball, but also know not to try passes in danger just because he feels he must. That all being said, both he and Ogbonna allowed players to get in the space between them and it nearly cost the side. The penalty was first, but Rodrigo should have punished them late on with his header.
Manchester United
1-3: Saturday, 5th DecemberBalbuena had an excellent first half and controlled his channel with aggressive front foot defending. Exposed for pace by Rashford.
Aston Villa
2-1: Saturday, 28th NovemberMaybe should have gone out for the Grealish goal and blocked earlier, but otherwise you would say he did his job well and Fabianski was protected.
Sheffield United
1-0: Sunday, 22nd NovemberIn control throughout and his composure grows and grows with his settled game time. One worry would be McBurnie finding the space behind him for the big chance.
Fulham
1-0: Saturday, 7th NovemberDefended calmly and wasn’t really involved in any of the chances. Would have been rightly aggrieved had the freekick he gave away been converted; the studs were high and aggressive at him and should have been punished.
Liverpool
1-2: Saturday, 31st OctoberStaunch defending, although he may be a little upset to be the man nutmegged for the winning goal. It appears the rhythm of a run in the side has given him his sharpness back and he looks much more the defender from his first season.
Manchester City
1-1: Saturday, 24th OctoberOne of his best performances. Considering the opposition, he looked composed and dealt with the pace of Sterling around him well.
Tottenham Hotspur
3-3: Sunday, 18th OctoberWith how poorly he started, and knowing his place is far from secure, he recovered very well to gain composure in defence. And that header was perfect.
Leicester City
3-0: Sunday, 4th OctoberPut him in a back five and he becomes a composed. Defensive basics nailed, he starts the move for the first goal with a lovely pass down the line.
Everton
1-4: Wednesday, 30th SeptemberAnother not really tested, a couple hesitations were a worry but Hull offered nothing to bother him.
Hull City
5-1: Tuesday, 22nd SeptemberAnother not really tested, a couple hesitations were a worry but Hull offered nothing to bother him.
Charlton Athletic
3-0: Tuesday, 15th SeptemberSloppy and sometimes hazardous. Not sure where the player from his first season has gone.
Newcastle United
0-2: Saturday, 12th SeptemberDid not play.
Brentford
2-1: Saturday, 29th AugustOne of the better defensive players on show today, although the bar hadn't been set particularly high.
Ipswich Town
4-1: Tuesday, 25th Augustn/a
Aston Villa
1-1: Sunday, 26th JulyDid not play.
Manchester United
1-1: Wednesday, 22nd JulyDid not play.
Watford
3-1: Friday, 17th July(Replaced Antonio) He had nothing to do.
Norwich City
4-0: Saturday, 11th July(Replaced Ogbonna) Came on for a few minutes, saw the job over the line. Clean sheet.
Burnley
0-1: Wednesday, 8th JulyDid not play.
Chelsea
3-2: Wednesday, 1st July(Replaced Fornals) On for moments and touched the ball once.
Aston Villa
1-1: Sunday, 26th JulyDid not play.
Manchester United
1-1: Wednesday, 22nd JulyDid not play.
Watford
3-1: Friday, 17th July(Replaced Antonio) He had nothing to do.
Norwich City
4-0: Saturday, 11th July(Replaced Ogbonna) Came on for a few minutes, saw the job over the line. Clean sheet.
Burnley
0-1: Wednesday, 8th JulyDid not play.
Chelsea
3-2: Wednesday, 1st July(Replaced Fornals) On for moments and touched the ball once.
Tottenham Hotspur
0-2: Tuesday, 23rd JuneIndividually, he wasn’t too bad. But the defence does appear worse with him in it.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-2: Saturday, 20th JuneDid not play.
Southampton
3-1: Saturday, 29th FebruaryDid not play.
Manchester City
0-2: Wednesday, 19th FebruaryDid not play.
Brighton & Hove Albion
3-3: Saturday, 1st FebruaryDid not play.
Liverpool
0-2: Wednesday, 29th JanuaryDid not play.
West Bromwich Albion
0-1: Saturday, 25th JanuaryBusy and frequently in the right place to win a header or stick out a foot, whenever the Gills threatened.
Sheffield United
0-1: Friday, 10th JanuaryWas playing well until the mistake. It was a bad pass by Martin, but Balbeuna should be able to at least adjust a little, whilst looking away when the ball is coming was not smart.
Gillingham
2-0: Sunday, 5th JanuaryBusy and frequently in the right place to win a header or stick out a foot, whenever the Gills threatened.
Southampton
1-0: Saturday, 14th DecemberBack to the form of last season. Wins a lot in the air and is happy in backs-to-the-wall performances.
Arsenal
1-3: Saturday, 7th DecemberDefence was ripped apart on the times it was tested.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-2: Wednesday, 4th DecemberWildly over-committed for the second goal, but generally solid and was left exposed by the counter for it. Passing forward was woeful, but he made a lot of blocks and clearances.
Newcastle United
2-3: Saturday, 2nd NovemberA woeful first half where he looked amateurish was saved by a second half with two vital last-man interventions and a goal. Still, he shouldn’t be playing ahead of Ogbonna, who is our only dominant aerial defender and would not have been so easily beaten by Joelinton.
Sheffield United
1-1: Saturday, 26th OctoberNo wildly notable change in quality with Ogbonna replaced. But the defence was lucky not to be punished further.
Crystal Palace
1-2: Saturday, 5th OctoberDid not play.
Bournemouth
2-2: Saturday, 28th SeptemberDid not play.
Oxford United
0-4: Wednesday, 25th SeptemberBack in the side but not for long, judging by this performance. His marking was appalling.
Manchester United
2-0: Sunday, 22nd SeptemberDid not play.
Aston Villa
0-0: Monday, 16th September(Replaced Noble) Nothing to do in his 90 seconds on the pitch.
Norwich City
2-0: Saturday, 31st AugustDid not play.
Newport County
2-0: Tuesday, 27th AugustDefended well, in general, making a good number of clearances.
Watford
3-1: Saturday, 24th AugustDid not play.
Brighton & Hove Albion
1-1: Saturday, 17th AugustDid not play.
Manchester City
0-5: Saturday, 10th AugustMaybe his worst game for West Ham. Not helped that the enduring image will be the averagely paced De Bruyne burning away from him like a Ferreri against mobility scooter.
Athletico Bilbao
2-2: Saturday, 3rd AugustGood to see him back alongside Diop. Despite conceding twice, the Hammers look more solid as a result.
Hertha Berlin
5-3: Wednesday, 31st JulyAn untimely slip at a vital moment was responsible for one of Herth'a goals. Otherwise reasonably tidy.
Watford
4-1: Sunday, 12th MayAll these points have aligned with his return to the side. Easily the best defender at the club. 15 clearances in this game. 15.
Leicester City
2-2: Saturday, 20th AprilSome decent defending was let down by switching off for the Vardy goal.
Chelsea
0-2: Monday, 8th AprilReturned from injury with little sign of rust. The best defender of the set, even if a little less sharp on the ball. Could be the man to steady the ship.
Everton
0-2: Saturday, 30th MarchDid not play.
Cardiff City
0-2: Saturday, 9th MarchDid not play.
Cardiff City
0-2: Saturday, 9th MarchDid not play.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-3: Tuesday, 29th JanuaryDid not play.
Bournemouth
0-2: Saturday, 19th JanuaryDid not play.
Arsenal
1-0: Saturday, 12th JanuaryDid not play.
Brighton & Hove Albion
2-2: Wednesday, 2nd JanuaryDid not play.
Burnley
0-2: Sunday, 30th DecemberDid not play.
Southampton
2-1: Thursday, 27th DecemberDid not play.
Watford
0-2: Saturday, 22nd DecemberDid not play.
Fulham
2-0: Saturday, 15th DecemberDid not play.
Crystal Palace
3-2: Saturday, 8th DecemberGood to see him back, but the criticism of the goals conceded applies to him too.
Cardiff City
3-1: Tuesday, 4th DecemberDid not play.
Newcastle United
3-0: Saturday, 1st DecemberOutshone a little by Diop, but The General is earning that nickname.
Manchester City
0-4: Saturday, 24th NovemberAnother who didn’t play badly, but conceded four goals. Should Sane have been so free in the middle?
Huddersfield Town
1-1: Saturday, 10th NovemberCalm and assured, as he is making a habit of being.
Burnley
4-2: Saturday, 3rd NovemberSolid and assured, as he's proving to be nearly every week.
Tottenham Hotspur
1-3: Wednesday, 31st OctoberLeicester City
1-1: Saturday, 27th OctoberOutstanding in defence. It took two bites of the cherry but The General has his first goal. Loses a point for not celebrating suitably.
Tottenham Hotspur
0-1: Saturday, 20th OctoberBrighton & Hove Albion
0-1: Friday, 5th OctoberManchester United
3-1: Saturday, 29th SeptemberWonderful performance - read the game brilliantly. His trademark appears to be stepping in front of an opponent to nip the ball away, which he did with aplomb again today.
Macclesfield Town
8-0: Wednesday, 26th SeptemberChelsea
0-0: Sunday, 23rd SeptemberAn equally-strong performance from our other central defender who, at one point, found himself in the Chelsea penalty area as a supportive striker. He was quite literally everywhere.
Everton
3-1: Sunday, 16th SeptemberWolverhampton Wanderers
0-1: Saturday, 1st SeptemberAFC Wimbledon
3-1: Tuesday, 28th August'The General' also endured a difficult start to his Hammers career, ebing caught flat-footed on occasions and slightly off the pace during others. It will take time to adjust to the frenetic nature of Premier League football and higher grade.
Arsenal
1-3: Saturday, 25th AugustJust about the better of our defensive twosome.
Bournemouth
1-2: Saturday, 18th AugustLast week this column remarked that it will take time for The General to adjust to the frenetic nature of Premier League football and step up in quality. That applies once again.
Liverpool
0-4: Sunday, 12th August'The General' also endured a difficult start to his Hammers career, ebing caught flat-footed on occasions and slightly off the pace during others. It will take time to adjust to the frenetic nature of Premier League football and higher grade.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.
Fabian Balbuena did not play for West Ham during this season.