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Winston Reid was ready enough for New Zealand, is he ready to go for West Ham?

By Jeremiah Carson

SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 20: Elias Sorensen of Newcastle United competes the ball with Winston Reid during the Premier League Asia Trophy 2019 match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at Shanghai Hongkou Stadium on July 20, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images for Premier League)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 20: Elias Sorensen of Newcastle United competes the ball with Winston Reid during the Premier League Asia Trophy 2019 match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at Shanghai Hongkou Stadium on July 20, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images for Premier League) /
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Winston Reid has been a part of West Ham United for as long as many Hammers fans can probably remember. With his injury almost fully healed is he now ready for his triumphant return?

The New Zealand international has been a part of West Ham United since joining from FC Midtjylland in 2010. As the only other elder statesman besides Mark Noble, his presence and abilities have been missing since he was last seen on March 3rd of 2018 when he went out with a knee injury.

Reid was a part of the Hammers during the preseason and even in China he got some game time but other than that, he has been rehabbing the knee and playing some with the U23’s. From Gold and Sullivan down to Pellegrini, nobody is trying to rush this process as they hope to get the veteran center-back back to full health before sending him back on the pitch.

However, as a surprise to many, he was called up to play for his county over the last international break. Between West Ham and New Zealand some type of agreement was made even though according to ExWHUemployee, the club wasn’t happy about Reid going out on international duty. The agreement was that he would play the first match but then return to training at Rush Green.

SWANSEA, WALES – MARCH 03: Winston Reid of West Ham United sustains an injury in a scrabble for the ball during the Premier League match between Swansea City and West Ham United at Liberty Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – MARCH 03: Winston Reid of West Ham United sustains an injury in a scrabble for the ball during the Premier League match between Swansea City and West Ham United at Liberty Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

As the veteran Hammer returned to international play, the All Whites spent no time returning him to a leadership role as he was awarded the captaincy against the Republic of Ireland this break. Now, the question in the header remains the same, if Winston Reid is good enough for New Zealand, is he good enough to play for West Ham?

Reid made a statement after his return to the All Whites saying “for me personally, not just physically but also for my head as well it was the right thing to do. I spoke with the club about it, got my point across and fortunately they were really understanding about it and happy. It all worked out, everything worked out really well, and so that is the main thing.”

DUBLIN, IRELAND – NOVEMBER 14: Winston Reid of New Zealand during the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and New Zealand at Aviva Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, IRELAND – NOVEMBER 14: Winston Reid of New Zealand during the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and New Zealand at Aviva Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

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Reid spoke within an interview with the club last month stating that “the under 23’s was the next step,” so it seems that whether the club was happy or not, they have collectively been making the right moves at the right time. Now, it’s time for him to return to the pitch for the Claret and Blue.

Paul Robinson was quoted in a piece for Football Insider 247 stating that the return of Winston Reid will be “like a new signing” and a “massive boost” for the Hammers. Well, Paul, you aren’t wrong and the Hammers can surely use him. Current starters Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna have been playing well, but there is a massive dip in form after those two and Reid could be the answer to that.

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As it is only Tuesday, we all wait for the weekly presser from Manuel Pellegrini on the status of Reid along with other things and one could only speculate on what might happen this weekend against Tottenham. But with all this being said, it is exciting and knowing that soon West Ham will see Winston Reid back in the Claret and Blue once more. Until then, COME ON YOU IRONS!

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