Always a delicate subject to discuss with Hammers’ fans, Mikhail Antonio has played a long and illustrious career at first Upton Park where he started as a right wing back and then onto London Stadium where he has become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Perhaps we just need to face the fact that, at 34 years old, his best years are behind him. It isn’t just his age though, he’s always been a brilliant physical beast to have in the team but the decision to play international football with Jamaica and the excruciatingly long journeys each International break has hardly done anything to extend his West Ham United career.
He signed a contract extension with the club taking his career at London Stadium to 2025, with a further option for one more year if the club chooses, keeping him a Hammer until the age of 36.
Yes – he has been a fabulous servant to The Irons. Yes- I’d have a lump in my throat when he plays his last game. But – looking at the squad now being assembled by Lopetegui, are we satisfied with his goals tally in recent years and that he will stay fit? It is reported by several sources including givemesport.com that Gary O’Neill at Wolves is considering a bid for Mikey. If a sale were agreed now, a fee of maybe £5 million would be generated. In 1 year plus – zero. Time to talks about it.
Is it time to call ‘time’ on Antonio’s 308 Hammers’ appearances before those hamstrings pop one more time? If Ings and Antonio were offloaded then a young, twenty-something striker could be recruited, to say nothing of the £9 million a year-plus that the two take in salaries. Are we certain that Antonio is good enough any more? – Gasp. There, I said it.
I’m only asking. If Antonio’s exit paved the way for Jhon Duran on a loan to buy, how would we feel, Hammers?
