Angelo Ogbonna facing pivotal West Ham United spell after confirming desire for new contract
West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna is facing a pivotal few months at the London Stadium, after revealing he wishes to extend his contract at the club.
The 34-year-old centre-back has a contract at the club until the end of the season and is among the club’s longest-serving players, having signed from Serie A giants Juventus back in 2015.
The centre-back was out of contract last summer but signed a new one-year extension having missed most of the 2021/22 campaign due to an ACL injury.
The former Italian international returned to action in August and has since become a key player in Moyes’ side alongside Nayef Aguerd, following the departure of Craig Dawson to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Kurt Zouma’s long-term injury.
When asked if he was hopeful of a new deal in East London as quoted by Evening Standard [27 February], he said:
“Of course.
“It feels like a family here and I want to be part of this family. Now the most important thing is to get our points and we can talk later.”
David Moyes admitted recently that the club and the player had not gotten around to starting talks regarding a new contract.
Ogbonna has enjoyed sudden rejuvenation in recent weeks, forming a solid partnership with Aguerd during the Hammers’ recent resurgence. However, the club are right not to offer him a new deal considering his torrid injury record.
With the East Londoners already reportedly looking at defensive reinforcements before this summer’s window, the 34-year-old will certainly be playing for his Hammers future in the coming weeks.
Many of the club’s fans will argue that the club should move on from the defender and acquire more younger and hungrier defenders to kickstart their rebuild this summer.
But, with Moyes’ penchant for keeping experienced stars around his squad, there may well still be a future for Ogbonna at the London Stadium. These next few months will be crucial in him proving his worth.