“When we have something to announce, we will announce it,” Graham Potter said when asked about Michail Antonio’s future last Friday after the announcement that Danny Ings, Aaron Cresswell Vlad Coufal and Lucas Fabianksi would be leaving the club when their contacts expire in June.
“It’s a unique situation with Michail in terms of how he’s recovering from his injury, he’s doing fantastically well, he’s going through a lot, we’ll support him and that’s the main thing at the moment.”
Sources within the club say a decision will be made at the end of the season and dependent on his recovery at that point. He could be offered a short contract either on a pay as you play or a smaller basic and larger appearance bonuses.
The West Ham striker will turn 36 next season and there are serious questions as to whether he will be fit enough to continue as a squad player in the Premier League after such a serious injury.
Last month Antonio said on his accident:
“The back of the car kept swinging out on me, so I didn’t feel safe. I had had it for three weeks and I was already thinking about giving it back.
‘It’s weird, because the whole way through this, I have been told that I was awake and was speaking to everybody – the police, the people, and the person who found me. My leg was completely shattered, and they got me out and put a splint on it by the side of the car. I shattered my femur bone in four different places. I had one single keyhole surgery. They put a pole in my thigh with four bolts, so screws and bolts to knit it back together.”
If that doesn’t put you off your breakfast, nothing will!
14 goals plus 6 assists in 81 games over the last 3 seasons says it all. Much as I like the fella sadly after his career threatening injury and at 35 years old now, his Premier League level days are over. I think he could perform at Championship level if he can regain full fitness but realistically we can’t sacrifice a first team squad place after only 1 goal this season..
He’s rubbish.i don’t want the donkey back.overated flash gobshire
barkingsidegob you bring shame to the residents of barkingside.
Time waits for no man – just ask KDB at Man City.
Antonio hasn’t impacted games in a while now. Any other club would’ve let him go on a free transfer a year or so ago.
This season was over before it started with Sullivan yet again clueless with managerial and player recruitment.
We’ve become Dad’s Army in the fastest most physical league in the world.
Would any club in the Premiership sign Antonio? 36 next season, I think not.
Will Sullivan offer him a contract, probably yes.
Well, if it doesn’t change now Jon, it probably never will.
The club have pledged to reduce the squad and reinvigorate with younger players. . . now they have to deliver.
The club have promised many things and never deliver!
Nothing will change with Sullivan & Brady. They think we’re a “happy ship” when the truth tells a different story.
Players and fans want out which says it all.
More false dawns due to incompetence!
Why does every story have to be changed into the same old moan about the club’s management. When did we last have good management? Under the Cearnes and Reg Pratt?
A good and proper club looks after it’s people, an no one deserves it more than Antonio.
We are not a charity and businesses make these decisions based on the performance of their staff.
Likewise, the Leadership Team will get judged on their performance too! If they can’t recruit managers / coaches then it’s on them nobody else.
The Premiership is big business and PSR means difficult decisions have to be made which leaves no room for sentiment.
Wow – I’d hate to work for you, Jon.
I agree with your points, right up to you making the ridiculous suggestion that there is NO room for sentiment. Yes, there is always a LITTLE room for sentiment, because that’s just human nature.
Antonio is no fool. He gets it. He knows what’s next, but that doesn’t mean we just throw him to the wolves. That’s just callous, and not what our club has been built on. #Compassion #IronsFamily
Do you think Sullivan will offer him a new contract based on sentiment, or because he will be a cheap option to sit on the bench?
We needed a young dynamic striker at the start of this season.
Just because you don’t agree with me doesn’t mean I’m wrong.
Lovely guy with an infectious personality and great player who was on his day unplayable. Hard to accept but he was struggling badly to play at the level before the accident. Surely he is better off playing at a lower level of he wants to still wants to?
Pretty much sums it up.