West Ham United picked up their first win in five matches when they beat Watford 2-0 at the London Stadium on Saturday, and it was a result that boosted David Moyes’ chances of having his contract extended at the end of the season.
The three points against the Hornets moved the Irons four points above the relegation zone, and they came despite the Scottish boss having to contend with a number of injury problems and Arthur Masuaku’s suspension.
Reports earlier this month suggested that Moyes would be leaving the east London outfit in the summer even if they stay up having only penned a deal until June when he was named as Slaven Bilic’s successor in November.
However, the club quickly came out and denied that story, with the 54-year-old surely getting at least another campaign to prove his worth if they secure survival having got the best out of players like Marko Arnautovic and captain Mark Noble.
The former Manchester United and Everton manager remaining at the London Stadium wouldn’t be good news for everyone though, and there would certainly be some players that would be unhappy and believe that they would be on their way out at the end of the season as a result.
Here are three West Ham players that have no future at the club if Moyes stays this summer…
Jose Fonte
The Portugal international currently has less than 18 months left on his West Ham contract, and given his current situation and the fact that he is 34 years of age, it is difficult to see that being extended.
The experienced centre-back has spent most of Moyes’ spell in charge on the sidelines because of injury, but he failed to take his place in the side on his return to first-team action – instead having to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench.
A bit of a horror show from James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna and Declan Rice at the heart of the defence in the 3-1 defeat against Brighton previous to their match against Watford would have given Fonte hope that he would be recalled to the XI, but it didn’t prove to be the case with Aaron Cresswell replacing Rice instead.
It was probably a sign of things to come for the Euro 2016 winner under Moyes, and if the Scot stays it doesn’t appear as though he will have a future at the east London outfit.
Andy Carroll
The big centre-forward has – once again – struggled with injury this season and it is reported that he will miss most of the rest of the season with an ankle problem.
Like Fonte, Carroll’s contract at the London Stadium expires in the summer of 2019 and it is difficult to see him being offered a new one by the club, unless he is on significantly reduced terms or even a pay-as-you-play deal.
Moyes and West Ham are more likely to cash in on the 29-year-old while they still can, and his situation under the Scot was probably summed up when he was left on the substitutes’ bench in a few matches over the festive period with Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio preferred in the striker role even though it isn’t their natural position.
Toni Martinez
The 20-year-old has shown his goalscoring qualities and the potential he has by netting 19 goals in 24 Premier League 2 appearances for West Ham, but he has struggled to break into the first team under previous boss Slaven Bilic and now David Moyes.
The striker made the substitutes’ bench on six occasions in the Premier League under the Scot, but his only minutes on the pitch came in the FA Cup matches against Shrewsbury Town and Wigan Athletic.
Rather than keeping Martinez as back-up for the rest of the season, Moyes decided to loan the Spaniard out to Real Valladolid instead and sign Jordan Hugill from Preston North End at the end of the January transfer window, which is perhaps an indicator that the forward has no future at the London Stadium while the 54-year-old is in charge.
Do you agree, West Ham fans? Let us know below.
