Jesse Lingard responds passionately to West Ham’s Michail Antonio message
Michail Antonio received a message from former teammate Jesse Lingard as the West Ham legend continues his recovery.
The 35-year-old is currently a free agent, having seen his contract expire following an awful traffic accident in December last year, with the club taking special measures until he returns to full fitness.
West Ham fans were shocked to see Antonio back for Jamaica’s 1-0 defeat to Guatemala last month, albeit the striker only played the final five minutes. Nonetheless, it was an emotional moment.
Supporters are waiting for an outcome over the forward’s future, with Graham Potter currently attempting to rebuild the squad at the London Stadium, and Niclas Fullkrug is the only other centre-forward.
While the player is technically still out of contract, he continues to play a role behind the scenes and made his latest appearance for the youth sides on Friday, 25 July.
Michail Antonio back in action
Taking to Instagram (25 July), the official club account shared Antonio’s goal against Boreham Wood, writing: “Another step on the road to full recovery for Micky,” with a flexed muscle emoji.
As well as gaining likes from teammates Jarrod Bowen, Alphonse Areola, Jean-Clair Todibo, and former star Pablo Fornals, Lingard also commented: “Micky,” with two fire emojis.
Graham Potter continues West Ham rebuild
Football Insider verdict
Keith Wyness told Football Insider last month that West Ham are already unhappy with Potter, with the manager having won just five of his first 19 matches in charge.
Rebuilding the squad will be imperative ahead of next season, which requires the board to fully back the manager in the summer transfer window, but business has been relatively quiet so far.
Daniel Cummings, Kyle Walker-Peters, and El Hadji Malick Diouf have all arrived, with just £19million spent [BBC Sport], and Mohammed Kudus sealing a move to Tottenham for £55m [BBC Sport].
Football Insider understands that West Ham are set to push financial restrictions on a three-man signing spree, and that is exactly the kind of business that needs to be done very soon.
The likes of Nayef Aguerd, Luis Guilherme, Guido Rodriguez, and Maxwel Cornet are all seen as deadweight within the current squad, but there has been very limited movement in the market.
If the Hammers are to improve on their 14th-place finish in the Premier League last season, Potter needs a clean slate to start on before anyone can truly judge his results in East London.