Kurt Zouma stunned by West Ham player who’s ‘built different’ in new message
Kurt Zouma has thrown his support behind a fellow exit-linked West Ham United star after what he did on international duty.
West Ham have already said their goodbyes to Zouma and several other players who are set to depart upon the expiry of their contracts on 30 June, as Graham Potter prepares a significant squad overhaul.
The Irons slumped to a lowly 14th-placed finish in the Premier League last season despite an outlay of over £130million in the 2024 summer transfer window, and only once moved above twelfth position.
Zouma spent last season out on loan at Saudi Pro League side Al-Orobah after quickly falling out of favour under previous boss Julen Lopetegui, and will join a plethora of senior figures at the exit door.
Zouma sends message to Michail Antonio after injury comeback
Zouma’s imminent, permanent departure from the London Stadium hasn’t resulted in a cutting of ties with their team-mates after both he and Nayef Aguerd were shown the door by West Ham last summer.
Another player who could be on his way out of West Ham could be Michail Antonio, whose contract is also set to expire at the end of June following his elongated absence since a car accident last December.
Antonio’s progress on the comeback trail from a double lower-leg fracture was described as “insane” by West Ham fans, and that comeback has taken another significant step six months on from his crash.
After Antonio came off the bench to feature for five minutes of Jamaica’s Gold Cup clash on Monday, Zouma posted a message of support on his Instagram story (17 June), which said: “Michail Antonio what a guy – built different”.
Antonio future uncertain as West Ham exits confirmed
Although Zouma didn’t feature at all for West Ham last season before his switch to Al-Orobah in August, he still joins a long list of seasoned first-team players who will leave behind a huge amount of experience.
Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski and Danny Ings will all depart the London Stadium at the end of the month, and Antonio joining that list of exits would exacerbate a clear leadership vaccum.
Potter will need the Irons’ expeirenced players in his corner if he’s to turn things around next season, but given the commitment shown by Antonio to return ahead of schedule, West Ham could certainly benefit from the Jamaican sticking around.