West Ham United ace Michail Antonio deserves new contract despite ‘hopeless’ recent performance
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie would hand Michail Antonio a new contract at West Ham, if the attacker wants to stay at the club.
The striker, who joined the side from Nottingham Forest in 2015, has scored two goals from his 13 appearances in all competitions this season.
His contract expires next summer, with 90min reporting (23 October) that he and fellow striker Danny Ings could both leave in 2024.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I think the way West Ham play at the moment, Antonio is pivotal to that. So yes, I would give a contract to him, if he wants to stay.
“But he’s got to be on the form that he has been hitting recently, apart from against Everton, because there he was hopeless.
“But in saying that, the whole team were not very good in that game. So he’s been a key factor to the way David Moyes wants to play, so he will want to give him a contract.
“When West Ham play their counter-attacking game, Antonio is key to it, because he holds the ball up and brings people into play.
“There are not many that can match Antonio when he’s on his game, so I would imagine Moyes will definitely want to give him a contract. There is no one else in the club that does what he does.”
Antonio has been a regular under Moyes this season, featuring in all 11 Premier League matches and twice in the Europa League.
But the striker’s last goal came against Brighton in August, with his other strike this season coming against Chelsea the week before.
The Hammers started the season brightly, with Antonio key to their fine beginnings, but they are now without a win in their last four league games.
That includes the aforementioned 1-0 defeat to Everton, with the East London club also losing out to Aston Villa and Brentford, with a draw against Newcastle United starting the disappointing run.
In other West Ham news, a BBC pundit has shared a Hammers Premier League relegation verdict live on air.