West Ham are still keeping their options open on extending the contracts of current players and will wait until the very end of the season.
We asked directly this morning of the possibility that two veterans, Lukasz Fabianski and Angelo Ogbonna, may receive deals and received the reply: “It will be sorted out at the end of the season.”
We hope both get offered deals despite their advancing years!
Aaron Cresswell has already signed for a further yeat but we will have to wait on Fab and Oggy along, no doubt, with Ben Johnson and Manu Lanzini.
However, they must have a good chance as our key source added: “With Declan leaving we need some older pros in the dressing room.”
It would be a surprise were Manu to not move on should offers be received as he has been sorely under-used this season.
The problem with that is that, as a result, there has been little chance for clubs to see how good or indifferent he is right now so low offers are likely.
The same is of course true of Ben Johnson although his lack of playing time would appear to make him a strong possibility for the exit door.
Hopefully not though as CandH believes as he has much versatility in a number of positions.
The first thing that needs to happen is the new manager is to be appointed as the new manager will then decide whether these players fit his system. I believe certain players who have played under Moyes have been damaged in terms of confidence due to their of playing time and mis management by Moyes. These players may well thrive under a more attack minded coach. So no decision should be made until the new manager is appointed. If Moyes stays we will see players leaving, players who should be staying. These players will be sold for little or no money because of the way they have been treated by Motes.
I fully understand why the club doesn’t want to discuss transfers until the end of the season. We don’t need any distractions now we’re on the verge of achieving our first trophy for 40 years or whatever it is. All focus should be on that now. No point going into next year until we know whether Moyes will be needing players for another Europa league campaign
I really hope Fab and Oggy are offered another year at West Ham. They have both been magnificent for the club. As for Ben Johnson, it’s almost beyond comprehension how he has regressed so badly. I say almost because I think his confidence has been destroyed by David Moyes. With another manager I believe Ben will re-emerge as the versatile talent that he was before. It would, in my opinion, be a terrible waste if he were to be transferred.