Reports are coming out that West Ham captain Kevin Nolan will be sold this summer, one year before his contract is done. The 32-year-old has been in east London for four years now, but had to endure much stick from fans as he came back into a starting role right as West Ham fell from the Champions League spots in January. It is no secret that the Hammers were playing better football when Nolan was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
In 139 appearances for West Ham, Nolan put away 30 goals, but only scored once during the 2014/15 campaign from 31 shots, and only had one assist in his 29 games this season. His poor form may show that age has caught up with him. He turns 33 in June.
Nolan has always been an important cog in Sam Allardyce’s machine, and since Allardyce has left, it seems logical for his captain to be on the way out as well. Seen as a puppet of the unpopular ex-manager, Nolan even received abuse from co-owner David Sullivan’s son. Dave Sullivan has tweeted out his negative views on the central midfielder, most notably during the January loss to Everton in the F.A. Cup third round.
“How the f— Nolan is playing anywhere above League 2 amazes me, gives us all hope,” the young Sullivan said. “Can we leave Nolan in Liverpool though seriously.” While Sullivan’s comments have been reciprocated by many Hammer fans, coming from the co-owner’s son was eye-opening, and a move seems the best idea for both Nolan and West Ham, with a destination of a Championship club looking probable.
Debate over the next captain of West Ham has started already, with the logical choice being Mark Noble, as he has 300 West Ham appearances under his belt, and has been the vice-captain for years now. At 28, Noble is in his prime and ready to wear the captain’s armband despite not having the best season of his Hammer career either. Of course, it will be the new manager who decides who is worthy of leading his team into the last season at the Boleyn Ground.
