Graham Potter accepts that the situation West Ham United striker Michail Antonio finds himself in right now – his contract at the Premier League outfit expiring and his future shrouded in uncertainty – is far from a normal one.
At the age of 35, and with so many miles on the clock, deciding whether or not to renew Michail Antonio may have been a difficult decision anyway.
The debate is made all the more complex, however, by the context surrounding it.
Michail Antonio suffered a broken leg in a horrific car accident back in December. And while his recovery has been far speedier than anyone might have imagined – sporting director Mark Noble labelled Antonio a ‘freak of nature’ when the veteran forward made a recent visit to the training ground – serious questions remain about whether the former Nottingham Forest forward will bounce back sufficiently to play a part once again on the Premier League stage.
In a raw and open interview with France Football this week, Antonio admitted he is keen to stay at West Ham and extend his contract. That, however, very much depends on whether he is offered one in the first place.
And, speaking in response to those hopeful quotes, West Ham United boss Graham Potter admitted that the ‘unique situation’ surrounding Antonio only complicates things further.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Graham Potter responds as Michail Antonio hints at West Ham United exit
Antonio insists that his recovery is ‘getting better every day, every week’, though the London-born Jamaica international is still potentially months away from a return to the pitch.
“No update,” Potter said during his Friday press conference when asked about Antonio’s future. “When we have one, we will let our supporters know.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
“He is in a unique situation where the focus is on his recovery. When we have something to announce, we will.”
With 68, winger-turned-centre-forward Antonio is the top goalscorer in West Ham’s Premier League history.
Jarrod Bowen is only 14 behind, however, and catching up fast.
‘I’d like to push the record forward so that Jarrod Bowen doesn’t catch me,’ Antonio smiles. “The question is whether the club wants to extend my contract. That’s my priority, but I’m waiting.
“Until then, all I can do is concentrate on my recovery so that – wherever I am next year – I can play well.”
“Even two months after the accident, the fans were still chanting my name at every match. West Ham (as a club) were incredible from the start and they are still there for me every day.”
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Potter backs Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal as exits loom
In Antonio’s continued absence, Niclas Fullkrug will hope to lead the line in Sunday’s clash with Nottingham Forest, having been dropped to the bench for the 2-0 win at Manchester United. Bowen is nailed-on to start, but it remains to be seen if the skipper lines up on the right or through the middle.
West Ham confirmed last week that, while Antonio’s future is still up in the air, Vladimir Coufal, Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell and Danny Ings will leave upon the expiry of their own contracts.
Potter cannot speak highly enough of the Hammers quartet, though, even going as far as to start Cresswell and introduce Coufal off the bench at Old Trafford.
“In terms of the two players we selected [Cresswell and Coufal], there is no doubt in terms of their professionalism, their personality, what they have done for the football club,” Potter adds. “We have spoken about a lot and rightly so.
“In the short term, we have to decide ‘how do we win a game of football?’, and we have to use those two players.”