West Ham watchers really will feel that this summer signifies the end of an era at London Stadium. The high profile departures of Coufal, Cresswell, Fabianski, Ings and now, we hear, Michail Antonio – along with the loan repatriations of Evan Ferguson and Carlos Soler really does constitute a seismic shift at the club. Five trophy winners no less departing means that there will be an experience vacuum, however ‘past their best’ several of those aforementioned had become.
Never to be forgotten memories – Michail Antonio
Antonio departing can only mean that the Irons are 100% confident of landing a Premier League-quality replacement. With the injury-blighted Niclas Fullkrug – linked with leaving himself – as the club’s only top tier striker, Hammers fans will watch and wait to see when – not if- a new striker is brought in. Previous seasons have been ‘make do and mend’ with Antonio and Ings but they’re gone for good in a couple of weeks.
So, no back up plan, no ‘just in case’ short term deal for Antonio to eke out a few cameos: The Hammers have nailed their colours to the mast and have made their intention clear to bring in a new number nine this summer.
Which in a way is a kind of relief from the possibility of another short-term fix kicking the can down the road for another season, getting through with Bowen, Fullkrug and a bit of Antonio.
The ‘Antonio era’ appears over. Not before time, (actually a couple of seasons overdue) he goes with huge affection and love from anyone who’s ever cheered on the Hammers from the stands.
But now the position is absolutely clear. Who, for how much, and from where – that’s for another day.
But the flagship number nine shirt will be up for grabs as the Irons head into new territory.
Sullys in charge
Mido on the way back!!
Incoming Calum Wilson and/or Jamie Vardy 😂😂 maybe Timo Werner 😂
Don’t forget..will need to replenish “homegrowns”…
Is a good point not mentioned enough, thats why I’m really hoping we don’t make the idiotic decision of selling/loaning Guilherme. He clearly has potential and will get homegrown to the club in a couple years. Its also why we need to either promote some of our youth or buy youngsters. Guillaume Restes GK, Junior Kroupi striker, Sverre Halseth Nypan CM
I wish Antonio well, fantastic servant of the club & when he was in “ Beast mode” an absolute animal of a player. I have the utmost respect for the guy and I wish him all the best. He will always be a hammer in my book. Let’s hope we finally get a decent 20 goal a season striker now he’s departing ⚒⚒⚒
We hope a c forward coming in but dont bank on it Could be Bowen moved there again I have become so cynical but I find it hard to believe any news coming out of W ham nowadays
Vardy and Wilson 100% nailed on…forget any other nonsense gossip paper talk etc.
Martin, it would be nice to read a positive article from you just every now & again. I find myself getting depressed whenever I read your posts & we are still over 2 months away from the new season. Isn’t it about time you went on your summer holidays & I can wait till we start playing again before getting depressed ⚒🙄
Fully agree ….and just when you thought it couldn’t get worse along trots Whetstone ….misery personified…
I really don’t think that he has anything left at the required level, best for all that he moves on to a level where he might have.