Ben Johnson has been told to get out of West Ham for the sake of his career but no one less than his cousin Paul Parker. And he has watched as Ben has played impressively in a variety of positions for the Hammers and believes he is being “suffocated” at the club.

‘Suffocated’ defender told to get out of West Ham

The defender was at Manchester United for five years and also played for Fulham, Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea. Johnson doesn’t want to leave the club according to Parker  who nonetheless insists that he has no real future at the London Stadium.

The utility player is currently in negotiations for a new deal with the club having watched his form improve over recent weeks but whether he can get what he wants is doubtful and as a result Parker has handed down some family advice.

He explained: “I don’t think he can stay there if I am honest. It’s blatantly obvious at the moment that the manager (David Moyes) is not looking at him. There were clubs that have come in for him so I think he needs to move on and he needs to change clubs to get regular football.”

“He’s come on and played in midfield and done really well recently, as well as at right and left back, and he’s a good all round player. He’s a better all round player than me in that sense! I had my set position and that was it but with him I saw him come on as a sub into midfield against Bristol City and did really well while he did the same against Sheffield United, where he was excellent.”

“He doesn’t want to leave West Ham as it’s been his life from a young age but sometimes you can’t let your heart rule your head. If you don’t go and take an opportunity and you stay at a club where it doesn’t work out, you can end up having a lot of regrets for the rest of your life.”