Kieran Maguire: West Ham are bulletproof amid ‘PR’ threat from Premier League
West Ham will not encounter any problems in terms of player recruitment and retention because of mooted new vaccine regulations.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about players yet to have the Covid-19 jab.
The Daily Mail reported last Tuesday (14 December) that the top-flight is considering allowing wage cuts for unvaccinated players forced to isolate.
Per BBC Sport last Wednesday (15 December), Irons boss David Moyes said: “People should have a choice about whether to take the injection or not.”
But Maguire does not believe that the league’s threat to unvaccinated stars combined with Moyes’ libertarian stance will impact the Hammers.
“I don’t think it will restrict West Ham,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“I suspect players will take advice from agents. If they feel strongly about Covid vaccination, there are plenty of countries in Europe they can go.
“But the downside is that if you play for a club such as West Ham, there aren’t many mid-tier clubs in Europe who are paying the same level of wages.
“This proposal will be very difficult to implement because you’re asking for private information. The player could turn around and refuse to give it.
“It appears to be more of a PR claim from the Premier League rather than anything else.”
West Ham’s clash with Norwich City was postponed on 18 November because of an outbreak in the Canaries’ squad.
The Hammers camp, however, has stayed Covid-free in recent weeks.
In other news, West Ham make move to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after January asking price revealed.