According to West Ham boss Sam Allardyce veteran keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is under pressure from Spanish rival Adrian for the custodian position at Upton Park. Allardyce believes he has unearthed a first-class gem in 26 year old Adrian, signed from Real Betis in the summer.
"I would say the goalkeeping jersey is up for grabs, I wouldn't say it's either's now," said Allardyce.
"It was Jussi's most of the season but Adrian's slowly been introduced into the phrase of this fantastic football league we have in this country, by playing in some really big games in the Capital One Cup.
"We played Cardiff and Burnley, and Cheltenham was a hard game first just to get through that.
"Then the way he played against Tottenham, to perform like he did, he deserved an opportunity to go in again at Old Trafford.
"There's not a lot between them in goalkeeping terms at the moment.
"The Juss man can't go on forever, but he's doing an unbelievable job by still playing at this level at his age.
"He's fantastically fit and extremely dedicated, and that's why he's where he is today.
"If I had paid £10million for him everybody would be talking about him.
"But because I've done the job and got him for nowt everyone asks who he is.
"He played every game for Real Betis last year and they finished fifth in La Liga."
