Reports suggesting recovering West Ham striker Michail Antonio could be in line to receive a new contract at West Ham are wide of the mark.
Claret & Hugh have spoken to a top source at The London Stadium within the past hour regarding the striker’s contract.
Firstly, it should be pointed out that West Ham’s main concern is, and remains, the welfare of Antonio following his car accident last weekend. C&H have tried to stay away from any Antonio talk, particularly regarding his condition and recovery, believing it best to leave it to the club and the player’s family.
However, the past 24 hours have seen increased speculation that Antonio will receive a new deal if he makes a full recovery from his injuries. Speaking to a source at the very top of West Ham this lunchtime, we were informed that the club retain the option of an additional year on his current deal, which, if exercised, would mean Antonio staying in East London until the summer of 2026.
Therefore, the club are focusing all their energies on ensuring Antonio receives the very best medical care as he continues his recovery.
Hammers midfielder Tomas Soucek revealed how Antonio had spoken to his teammates via video link ahead of the Irons 2-1 victory against Wolves. The big Czech revealed how buoyed the players were to see Mikey was alert and sharing a joke following what has been described as successful leg surgery.
Former West Ham captain Declan Rice is also understood to have been in contact with Antonio and has been heartening to see so many ‘get well soon’ messages sent from the world of football.
As ever, we wish him all the best, and like everyone else, C&H can’t wait to see West Ham’s record Premier League goal scorer back in action again.
Antonio crashed a second supercar but this time seriously injured himself in doing so. It will take an extended period for him to recover to his condition before the crash if he ever does. He’s not far off 35 and not the player he was. It seems to me that’s that at this level. I’d be very surprised if there’ll be any extensions. The only good thing to come out of it is that what he provided will need to be replaced this coming window, we now must be proactive.
Having been a ST holder at the Boleyn for over 30 years, the best of WHU is when an Academy player becomes a first team regular and/or when a first team professional does all the UEFA coaching badges and coaches in the Academy, passing on their experience and the wisdom of thei coaching they got etc – like Kevin Keen, Mark Robson and others
I don’t know if Michail has any UEFA coaching badges already or if he’s on record stating a wish to coach in the future . . .
After Michail’s smash, questions for the club to ask him “are you interested in coaching?”, “whilst recovering from your injuries, do you want to study for UEFA badges?” – it could be a way that WHU help support him during his recovery and rehabilitation as well as giving him options for the future, particularly since he’s approaching 10 years at WHU and the traditional testimonial date
If they give him a new one year contract it would be a similar situation to Ogbonnas last year at the club.
Mikey is no-one’s fool, and he’ll know the score. He may not play football again for us, but he will always be a club legend and the club will look after him – say what you want about the owners, but they’ve always been good like that (to my knowledge).
Yep lovely bunch. Treated Tony Carr well for all his service to the club.
Never gonna happen, they will be taking advice from Ortho experts and the conclusion will be he will never be of a standard for Premier League football again given the extent of the injury and his age. Indeed, he had already run his time with us, a good servant for many years which will always need recognising, but it was time to cut the apron strings regardless of the car crash!
Feared the worse for Micky last weekend but hopefully he is on the mend now. Come on you iroooons .
With Antonio in hospital and him being our record top scorer in the Premiership, maybe saying nothing rather than quote a top source might have been more respectful.
Sometimes no news is good news.
Not sure I agree, John. Antonio is a big boy – he’s awake and recovering – I don’t think it’s unfair for C&H to report information that the wider reading public might want to know, and I’m pretty sure Mikey wouldn’t mind either.
Sometimes, no comment is good comment… 😉
His welfare is, obviously paramount, but can’t see him returning certainly at Premier League level – if he proves me wrong, then quite happy to eat humble pie.
Sad but i can’t see it happening for Michail his age is against him But on the positive side nice to know he is still laughing