Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has blasted West Ham United defender Jeremy Ngakia and urges the club to move him on at the end of the season.
The 19-year-old reportedly rejected a new deal at the London Stadium, which was believed to be worth £5k-per-week and intends to walk away from East London when his contract expires.
Ngakia has only played four times in the Premier League in what is his maiden campaign in England’s top-flight.
Despite this, he has earned the plaudits from the London Stadium faithful for his performances and managed to retain his place in David Moyes’ side, before football was suspended.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan was not impressed with Ngakia’s conduct and thinks he should be sold once our remaining games have been played.
Will Jeremy Ngakia be a success for West Ham?
Yes
No
“I think West Ham would probably be laughing at that quite frankly. That’s not the sort of character they want, they want people that want to play for the club, not hold them to ransom”, he said.
“He needs to get off his high horse and if he wants that sort of money he’s got to put in performances for two, three seasons.
“Right now people are just happy to be given the chance to have a job. You’d think he’d be a little bit more thankful to the club that they’ve brought him through and given him the opportunity but it just goes to show the lack of respect that some players have for the club that’s done a lot for them.”
Whelan added that this sort of behaviour is not wanted “in the household, and as a result, he would let him go if he wants to get 20 grand somewhere else.
It is quite unbelievable that a player of his inexperience and calibre can be trying to dictate proceedings to the football club that gave him the opportunity.
Whelan raises a good point. But Ngakia is the future, and he certainly has the ability to retain his place in the starting eleven and featured in the claret and blue for years to come.
Due to recent circumstances, it is unlikely he will earn that deal anywhere else. Ngakia is much better off staying at West Ham and continuing his development with us.
