West Ham travel to the Etihad on Sunday to face league leaders Manchester City, and first-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart isn’t eligible to play against his parent club.
Since arriving the London Stadium on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window, the England international has been in goal for all Premier League games, leaving Adrian out in the cold.
The Spaniard impressed during the 3-2 League Cup impressive win against Tottenham, but couldn’t convince erstwhile boss Slaven Bilic he deserved a league game.
Adrian is set to play against a freescoring Manchester City on Sunday, and it could present him the only chance he might get this season to displace the error-prone Hart.
Should the Spanish goalie, who has claimed he could leave West Ham in January, manage to frustrate City and somehow keep a clean sheet, could manager David Moyes be faced with one of his biggest selection headaches of his long managerial career?
Hart has leaked 7 goals in the 3 games the Scot has managed, and should Adrian perform beyond expectations against Pep Guardiola’s men, he could be given another chance and game to prove he deserves a spot in the first team.
It’s a one in a lifetime opportunity, and should he grab it with both hands, he could secure a permanent berth at the expense of Hart going forward.
There is a very slim and outside chance of that happening, but never say never.
