Let's make no mistake, without Michail Antonio's goals West Ham would more than likely have been relegated from the Barclays Premier League this season, the 30 year old as just enjoyed the best season of his career at the club and is moving in to the final year of his contract, one which however has an option for the club to extend the deal by a further twelve months. 'Big Mick' currently earns a not too disrespectful £65,000 per week, OK it is not in the stratospherically insane bracket as Yarmolenko and particularly Jack Wilshere, but it's still a decent salary.
News that the club want to offer Antonio a new deal in the light of his recent performances has had mixed reactions ( please visit some of the other Hammers sites for a cut and paste of people's social media comments). Sure he needs to be treated well by the club but really? A new enhanced deal for an injury prone player in their 30's? Surely by now the club MUST have learned that handing players extended contracts on big money as they approach the end of their careers is financial suicide, and that is before the fiscal deprivation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is factored in!
According to Deloytes the top flight football industry faces the minimum of a 40% reduction in it's income, and that is the minimum. Consequently new deals should be put in place with the fiscal constraints well in focus, essentially when once a club were willing to offer £100,000 per week they should now only offer £60,000 at the most. To offer Antonio an extra year on his current wages would be more than generous in the current climate, don't forget Winston Reid was handed a 'cushty' five year deal on £80,000 a week to 'reward' him, and look how that has panned out.
It is unfair to pick on Reid alone though, for some weird reason the club, under various owners, has repeatedly stitched itself up by handing out 'charity' deals, and love him as much as fans do, he is only one tackle away from a lenghty spell on the sidelines, his all action style is a lot for his body to deal with despite having thighs the size of the Severn Bridge!
If the club offered Michail Antonio an extended contract on the same wage but with a goal scoring incentive, then we reckon he'd be more than happy, truth is that in private he would sign a deal for half of what he is offered, don't forget how hard he fought to be playing in the top flight, he just loves playing, and to get paid well for it as well is an added bonus a this stage in his career. - Ed
Comments
I dont care what anyone says
I dont care what anyone says,he is worth his weight in gold,compared to the anderson and haller shower,they could never compete with him,they should have a wage reduction,and give that to Antonio that would be fair,haller dont know what hes doing and anderson trains in lethargy.In my opinion any player is just one tackle away from the physio room,he still has at least a good couple of seasons in him.
Totally agree Essex
Was going to put the same sort of post too mate! I cant understand the fuss,wilshere 100k a week haller at least the same,others too,christ didnt they give masuaku a five year deal??...Antonio is worth his weight in gold give him top dollar & fu*k off the deadwood to pay for him!
Hope they can get rid of the
Hope they can get rid of the dead wood, problem is there is so much it will take years to get rid of them.
Worth every penny big mick
Worth every penny big mick,always thought how can the top earners look him in the eye after the graft he puts in for the club.
Im suprised at you Nev you
Im suprised at you Nev you dont seem very enthusiastic about him,i know its taken a while for him to mature into a top of the range striker he is now but i reckon its only now he's realized his full potential, said it before if the 2 new boys keep up their support for him he could be a 20 goal man
Agree with Essex and 65
This boy is worth his weight in gold. Came to West Ham as a very raw recruit, can play at full back, midfield, wide and now even as the striker. We get no crap from him, no Mr Billy Big Bo****s, the smiling assassin. I love The Beast, he will be a West Ham legend if treated right. Pay him now top dollar, put an arm around him and tell him he's loved. Why? Because he's a game changer and they are few and far between!
If it wasnt for Ants goals
We more than likely would have been relegated
tough one
I understand the issues with suddenly making an injury prone 30 year old player a £100k a week high earner. unless you think money grows on trees during pandemics, you must be concerned with economic strategy of this decisions, BUT if in fairness we are basing this decision on whether someone - like noble - a) sheds blood for west ham b) understands the fans and club c) is very effective on the pitch d) is someone it is impossible not to love, then i absolutely agree he warrants beig paid the same as wilshere and yarma. THEY are the ones whos salaries should drop to accommomdate Mick's pay rise. SO i say good luck to you Mick, I love you mate youve given me MORE happiess these past few difficult years than anyone at west ham so i salute the board rewarding you for your fine efforts!!
I agree, Yarmo and wheelchair
I agree, Yarmo and wheelchair should have their salaries docked and the excess given to the Beast!
At least yarmo
Busts a gut when he plays,has a wicked left peg on him & chips in with goals,but injury prone yes,are his wages too much? Probably! I have more of a gripe against the likes of Haller,cost an absolute fortune but delivers sod all,Anderson the same most of the time
Couldn't agree more 65
Couldn't agree more 65
Has Jeremy Corbyn captured the org?
I've never heard such socialist claptrap in my life.
I agree with Nev, the days of profligate spending are over. Mistakes (huge ones) were made in the past but the owners need to ensure that the club goes forward on a sound financial footing, and that means paying market value for any player.
Antonio is an absolute hammers hero but we should not get carried away, offer him the same as he is on, that's a good deal all round. Where I foresee problems is if some "star" is signed on 2019 wages. Let's see discipline from the top.
As to the others, Yarmolenko and Wiltshire and the rest. It's not their fault that they are on obscene wages. Ideally we need to get rid soonest.
Sorry mate cant stand Corbyn
If you want to talk politics,I gave up on labour when blair rocked up with his p.c brigade
Offer him the same as what
Offer him the same as what hes on!!!!!!!!! Thats really showing him thanks,and that hes wanted at the club,what incentive is that to carry on as he is,and want to take the club forward,bollocks to his age he has a few years yet,the only incentive it will give him,is to go elsewhere and get more money and help their cause.
Because of his constant
Because of his constant injuries which have kept him out of the side almost 30% of the last three seasons (it may be more) and has always taken him 4 or 5 games to show his full potential on his return, Neville has a point. However he just saved us from relegation, financial ruin and a possible long period in the Chumps before we could recover and return to the Premier. How much is that worth? I bet it hardly touches his new 2 year deal of £100k a week.
Good luck to Antonio he deserves it.