Is There Space For Former Hero At West Ham?
West Ham defender and former Hammer of the Year Winston Reid is set to return from his loan spell at Kansas City in the MLS.
After many injury troubles, Winston Reid joined Kansas City on loan back in February, and his deal is set to expire soon. West Ham will be faced with the tricky decision of what to do with the Kiwi defender when he arrives back at the club.
Hammers insider ExWHUemployee claimed that the defender is likely to be moved on in January or next summer if a buyer can be found. Reid is currently on £70,000 p/w according to Spotrac and is one of the highest earners at the club. Considering the defender has not played for the club since March 2018 it is most likely that the club will want him off the books.
Despite impressing in the MLS, Kansas City have announced that they won’t be signing Reid on another loan or permanently. The Hammers will have to find another suitor for the defender, though Reid will likely have to take a pay cut to secure a move away from the Hammers permanently.
The most likely option for Reid would be a move back to the MLS or back down under to the A-League and New Zealand Football Championship. Though if no move materialises Reid could find himself as part of the furniture at West Ham for at least the next six months.
Reid’s current contract with the club runs until 2023 so if he decides to run it down, is there space for him in the squad? Arguably yes there is. West Ham currently have four centre-backs in the squad it is possible, however, that injury could strike at any time, especially this season. This risk has already been seen in Issa Diop‘s absence after testing positive for COVID-19.
With the virus still very much out there, it is possible that another defender could test positive and be forced on the sidelines. Reid could offer himself as a backup to David Moyes’ current options, and if he maintains his current fitness, it would not be a bad option at all.
Moyes’ management could benefit Reid as well. The Scottish manager has turned around the careers of ageing defenders like Fabian Balbuena and Aaron Cresswell. If Moyes managed Reid in the same way, then there could be the potential of seeing the 32-year-old recapture some of his early career form.
Reid is currently the club’s second longest-serving player and has given Hammer’s fans plenty of great memories. The defender was named Hammer of the Year in 2013 and scored famous goals against Milwall, Tottenham and of course the last ever goal at the Boyeln Ground. The defender gave the club over ten years of service and should be deserving of a testimonial at least before he leaves.
Has Agent Soucek Suggested Another Player For West Ham?. dark. Next
The cost of having the Kiwi is obviously a major factor to try and shift the defender, but it is important to remember the service he gave to the club before his injuries. Reid was once seen as the best defender at West Ham, and if there is any chance he can step out in the claret and blue again, then it’s a chance worth taking.