Reading the encouraging news that Manu Lanzini is going to be offered an improved contract at the end of the Season, assuming West Ham stay up, I got to thinking about how many other players should be prioritised for retention.
Early days to start discussing this but the earlier our best players can be tied down to contracts the better as far as I’m concerned.
Antonio has signed a fresh contract, expiring in the summer of 2021, fairly recently but is the reported £70K pr week enough to keep him? Great to see him score last weekend and, from the article he posted on the official site, I hope that he’s starting to feel happier with his lot again. In terms of character and attitude I love having him at our club. Hope he stays for the entirety of his contract and beyond. Overall he’s great to have around the place.
Kouyate is another who’s approach and professionalism is to be admired. He’s come in for a ton of grief from fans and media whilst keeping schtum about playing through the pain of needing an op. He’s our Yaya Toure, and also reminds me of Viera, a box to box warrior who gives it absolutely everything with great character and determination. West Ham have been sloppy in possession in recent times but Check is one of those players who often looks 2nd favourite to the ball but ends up coming away with it and retaining possession – turning defence in to attack. His current deal is set to finish at the same time as Michail’s but I’d love to see him finish his career with us. The other player who is contracted with us until the end of June, 2021, is Cressers. I’m a fan and want to see him stay but whether he’s a top priority to give a new deal to is another matter.
From what I’ve seen so far Joao Mario is decent. I’m going to sit on the fence, however, until I’ve seen him play a few more games before making my mind up. He could be quite costly but if he continues to impress, and starts to strike up better understanding with team-mates, he could prove to be a good test of Mr Sullivan’s intention to change the recruitment processes for the better and tie him down. Until more games have passed the jury’s still out for me. Others whose deals expire in June are Hart, Collins and Evra. I don’t think Joe will stay, who knows with Ginge and we’ve yet to see what Patrice will do.
I rate Andy Carroll highly when he’s on his game. Can he honestly, in all fairness, expect a new contract with his injury record though? I’m not sure that the board would be winning any new friends if they were to offer him something beyond the end of his current agreement which runs out at the end of the 2018-19 season.
Glad to see Rice has signed until the end of the same season as AC. I’m pleased for the lad who, at 19 years of age, must be pretty chuffed with his £25K per week. I’m quietly confident he’ll be signing another, new, deal in the next season or so. Josh Cullen also has a deal in place until 30th June 2019. Would be great to see him develop further and get in to the squad for more Premier League games but has probably got a bit to do to earn a new deal.
Mr West Ham has another two and a bit seasons left. I don’t think he’d want to go under any circumstances anyway. How brilliant is it that there’s still ‘One Club Men’ left in the game? He’s the kind of player that makes me proud to support the club and is having a very good season to boot.
Another player who I’d love to see stay would be Chicha. I wish him all the very best for the rest of the season, hope that he bags a hatful of goals and has a wonderful World Cup. Got to be a win/win if that happens with him either remaining at the club whilst fit and firing or going for a pretty packet as he’s still our player for another two years following this Summer.
No worries with Winston Reid – currently the player committed to the club for the longest length of time. I’d like to see him remain injury free and get back to his best. That said we do need another solid CB as well as a quick, ball playing man at the centre of defence IMHO.
Zabba’s done very well for us. If there is a new deal for him, however, I suspect it will come in the Summer.
Artur is in the same boat as Nobes, Chicha and Lanzini. If he comes back from the ban playing some of the same football he played beforehand then I suspect he will be one of the players who is offered new terms. Fernandes and Byram are the other two who have agreements until June 2020.
One of the big ones for me and, I suspect, many others is Arnautovic. Although his still has four and a bit years to run he is a player that the club need to look after. Others with the same time left on their contracts are Og, Obiang, Hugill and Hasa… two of which I’m uncertain about and two I’m pleased to see tied down for the long term.
On a separate subject the trip to Swansea is an important one. By the sounds of things David Moyes has put a huge amount in to the preparation for this game. With various injuries ending and key players becoming available it should be a strong 18 who travel down to the picturesque South West of Wales. I’m optimistic for a result but it will need to be another dynamic, energised performance which doesn’t allow Carlos Carvalhal’s resurgent team any time to relax and and play their stuff. No predictions from me but I’m very hopeful for a win.
COYI! West Ham 4 the 2019 Cup!