Winston Reid has returned to the first-team this season after a lengthy injury lay-off.
The 31-year-old has not played a competitive senior match since March 2018, and despite making an appearance for the Hammers’ under-23 side, he still seems to be a long way off full fitness.
Reid’s contract with West Ham expires in the summer of 2023, so he should still be worth a reasonable fee in today’s market.
Here’s why we think he’s finished, however, and the Hammers should try and move him on this month…
The 25-capped New Zealand international turns 32 in the summer, and having spent nearly two years out with a serious injury, he will surely not be the player that he once once.
Reid only played 47 league games from the start of the 2016/17 season up until he suffered the serious ACL injury in his knee. So he was hardly a prolific appearance maker as it was.
West Ham need to evolve into a team who are young, dynamic, energetic and hungry. And the 31-year-old doesn’t fit into any of those categories.
Centre-backs in the modern game need to be quick, strong and explosive. And there must be serious doubts as to whether Reid still has those three qualities, following his long absence after what was a career threatening injury.
The problem that the Hammers will have, of course, is attracting interest in a player who has proven to be so unreliable from a fitness perspective over the past few years.
If there are any clubs willing to take a gamble on Reid, however, and West Ham receive a decent offer for the Kiwi, they absolutely must move him on this month.
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