Former England defender Danny Mills has warned West Ham that they shouldn’t offer Michail Antonio a long-term contract as it could become a burden for them.
Speaking to Football Insider, the former Leeds and Manchester City dfender said: “There’s always a balance to be had in these sort of situations.”
Antonio is the Hammers’ top scorer in the league this season and the 30-year-old has been in inspired form since the summer. However, Mills believes there should be no new long-term deal on the table right now.
He said: “I think he’s done exceptionally well, he’s been magnificent for West Ham, and I’m sure they appreciate him. I’m sure he wants a long contract and I’m sure West Ham are going to go ‘well, you’re 30 now, when you get to the end of this one, you’ll be 32 so how long can we offer him? How long is it going to be this good for?’’
The striker’s current contract expires in June, although there is a 12-month extension clause in place should both the player and the club agree to trigger it.
Mils continued: “Yes, they want to reward him for what he’s done but it has to also still work within the structure and the sensible nature of the club. There’s no point offering him a five-year contract and after two years, it might start to be a burden. It’s a difficult one.’
“The player is doing unbelievably well at the minute and deserves a new deal but it’s about the length of that.”
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Antonio has proved in recent times that age is just a number, seemingly getting better with every advancing year.
Having been something of a utility man in the early days of his career at West Ham, the 30-year-old has recently established himself as a frontline striker who only pops up on the wing owing to his work rate and endeavor.
Whilst there is a danger a five-year deal would leave the Irons with a player at 35 who has little to no transfer value left whilst not performing at his current level, that seems a better option than the alternative of potentially letting him leave the club now while he is seemingly at the peak of his powers.
