So the ‘summer of the long goodbyes’ will start in earnest as soon as this season finishes. West Ham United have confirmed today that several player contracts will not be renewed and there are four first team players who will leave the club at the end of May. There is an element of surprise as two of those leaving had been tipped for a further contract extension.
According to Claret and Hugh associate editor Sean Whetstone, writing on his twitter / x account, the players definitely leaving are:
Lucas Fabianski; Danny Ings; Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell.
Cresswell, the club vice captain and Lucas Fabianski had long been tipped for season-long extensions but West Ham now confirm they will all be leaving. This has big repercussions for the coming transfer window and means the recruitment of a Premier League quality goal keeper is absolutely essential.
Absent from the list is Michail Antonio (main pic) who is fighting his way back to fitness and will, presumably, be offered a short term or reduced terms contract should he make it back to the level of fitness required after his life-threatening car crash in December.
Dead wood comes to mind he wants his own players and we do have the oldest team in the premier league lets see who he brings in
All hail Fabianski and Cresswell – 2 brilliant players for WHU. Just voted for Fabianski’s save and if I had to vote for a left-footer it would be Cressell!! His delivery is better than JWP in my opinion. Also think forwards can read it better (just my personal theory).
love a good passer of the ball so am going to miss seeing Cresswell on the pitch passing it down the left flank over the head of the opposing full back – just like Noble could pass, if given the liberty to.
Agree precisely what John Ayris has said. Good luck to Antonio going forward, maybe he could do a job for a league one or two side for a couple of years once he regains fitness ?
Never worked for Danny Ings but the other 3 great players for us in their time. A saving of over £300k a week in wages, add in Soler & Ferguson and it’s close to £500k.
I think only Fabianski of them may have had any value in another year. Antonio should be going too, he wasn’t on my retain list before his accident let alone after.
West Ham has had a great goalkeeper in Lucas Fabianski. A committed and reliable asset for so many seasons. Player of the year once (in the Pellegrini years). At his best a terrific shot stopper.
I don’t see the need to offer Micky an extension. Much as I love the guy, his performances have been on a downward trajectory for a couple of years now. He’s been well paid for his services so beyond offering continued medical/physio support I would be saying thank you and adiós amigo.