West Ham United might be poised to cash in on a fan favorite in January, despite his consistent presence under manager Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham Struggles Under Lopetegui
The Hammers have had a concerning start to their season, winning only one of their first six Premier League matches under Lopetegui.
The manager is already facing pressure to turn things around at the London Stadium. In their most recent match, West Ham traveled to Brentford, where they managed to secure a 1-1 draw after conceding a goal just seconds into the game.
Tomas Soucek equalized for the visitors, but West Ham finds itself only two points above the relegation zone.
After the game, Lopetegui highlighted the positives of earning a point against Brentford, acknowledging the challenging nature of the match.
He remarked, “We knew we had a tough match ahead, as they had won their previous home games against Southampton and Crystal Palace.
Unfortunately, we conceded a goal in the first minute, which is not ideal.”
He emphasized the need for calmness and noted that West Ham showed resilience in the second half, stating, “We had three or four clear opportunities to score again but couldn’t capitalize on them.
Still, I choose to remain positive.
Teamwork is crucial; when we function as a unit, we are stronger.”
West Ham’s management, including technical director Tim Steidten, has shown support for Lopetegui by investing in new players during the transfer window.
Among the new signings was striker Niclas Füllkrug, who has been sidelined for the last four matches due to injury.
In his absence, Danny Ings and Michail Antonio have taken on more significant roles in the attack.
However, it seems Antonio could be on his way out in the upcoming January transfer window.
Potential Departure of Michail Antonio
Recent reports from Football Insider suggest that West Ham may consider selling Michail Antonio in January, as he will have several months left on his £85,000-a-week contract.
The report emphasizes Antonio’s status as a cult hero at the club and notes that he has been a regular contributor under Lopetegui, having featured in all but one of West Ham’s eight matches this season.
Despite his importance to the team, Antonio was previously linked with a summer move, and that interest appears to persist.
The club is reportedly open to offers for the 34-year-old as they approach the start of 2025.
Since joining West Ham in September 2015, Antonio has played a vital role in the team’s attack, further solidifying his status as a fan favorite.
Given his age and contract situation, parting ways with the Jamaican international might be a prudent move for both player and club, making this a situation worth monitoring closely.
