Noel Whelan tells West Ham they ‘need’ to get rid of long-time player
The Winston Reid situation at West Ham United is a tricky one right now, because he’s just not a factor at the London Stadium even more.
The New Zealand international hasn’t featured for the Hammers’ first team for almost two years now.
Injuries have derailed what was once an excellent tenure in east London, while a January departure broke down as well.
The 31-year-old looked to be heading off to Major League Soccer, but that was something that failed to materialise.
Now, former Premier League striker Noel Whelan believes that the Irons need to offload the long-time defender somehow.
“First and foremost, it’s important for the player,” he told Football Insider. “He’s had a lengthy spell out. He needs to get back playing.
“But it might be a case that it’s good for player and club because they might get him off the books. They might not want to keep him. We don’t know how important he is to West Ham, but he needs be playing football.
“If he’s not going to be in the reckoning then he needs to go out. There’s no point sitting on a bench or playing U23 games – you want to be playing competitive football.
“It’s strange that he’s going to the MLS, he’s probably got more to offer in the Championship and he could do a job for somebody because he’s got all that experience behind him, but I’m sure the player has a say on where he wants to go.”
Is Whelan right, here?
He is, yes. Reid hasn’t played first team football for an immensely long-time now, and every week he’s costing the east London club money.
Ultimately the Hammers are a business – something David Gold and David Sullivan know better than anyone – and in that respect Reid simply doesn’t make sense for them.
For him, as well, he needs to go out and get football. Whether that’s abroad or in the Championship, who knows?
The problem for any team is that he’s simply not fit and hasn’t been for a while now. In that respect he’d be a big risk for anyone.
In other West Ham news, a Hammers stalwart may be closing in on a decision over his future at the club.