WHZ View: West Ham must hand Ben Johnson new deal as soon as possible
Ben Johnson was terrific on Thursday night at the London Stadium as West Ham secured a 2-0 win over Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.
The 21-year-old featured at right-back with both Vladimir Coufal and Ryan Fredericks unavailable due to injuries, and he was one of the best players on the pitch.
Johnson’s deal expires at the end of the season, but West Ham have an option to extend, and they must hand him a new deal as Premier League clubs will be monitoring his situation.
According to The Athletic, the versatile full-back had interest from an unnamed Premier League side in the summer, but David Moyes gave him assurances that he would be part of his plans for the season.
Nevertheless, there have currently been no talks over a contract extension, and the Hammers should do better.
Moyes needs quality depth and competition at both right-back and left-back, and Johnson provides him with that.
The West Ham academy graduate played at left-back during the League Cup at Old Trafford, and he was very comfortable as he put in an excellent shift.
Some of his attacking qualities still need a lot of work, but he is superb defensively, and he could soon be giving Aaron Cresswell and Coufal a run for their money if he starts providing assists.
Having failed in their attempt to lure him away in the summer, the unnamed suitors will still be keeping tabs on him, and Thursday’s performance would have impressed them.
He wants to play regularly, and while that is currently hard to come by, handing him a deserved new deal will show him that West Ham are counting on him for the future.
In other West Ham news, Mark Noble has been spotted after a match embracing magic forward who quit Hammers in summer.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.