Former Premier League defender Alex Bruce has warned West Ham United defender Jeremy Ngakia that his contract demands may not be met due to the current global circumstances.
The 19-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the London Stadium when the 2019/20 campaign draws to a close and the Daily Mail reported that he turned down a one-year extension and a £5k-per-week salary, expecting a figure closer to £20,000-per-week.
This is despite making just four Premier League appearances in what is his debut season playing football in the top flight. With this in mind, he has impressed the fans in the stands with some of his performances, as well as former Hammers striker Carlton Cole, who described him as a “natural defender“.
Speaking to Football Insider, Bruce believes that Ngakia is asking for something that he simply will not get.
Will Jeremy Ngakia be a success for West Ham?
Yes
No
“I’d be surprised if clubs, for a short amount of time anyway, are going to start handing out ridiculous contracts with everything that’s happened”. he said.
“Everything’s changed – I think for the massive clubs who have got huge and vast amounts of money coming in no matter what, it’s a little bit different for the lesser clubs. Everything changes because of the situation.”
Ngakia made his debut against Liverpool earlier this season and has played in all of our last three Premier League games before the campaign was suspended.
With the injuries to Pablo Zabaleta and Ryan Fredericks, he has proved to be a welcome addition to David Moyes’ side, but to be in a position to demand such a high amount of money is bizarre at best.
Bruce is spot on. Ngakia and his agent can stamp their feet as much as they choose, but will probably find their efforts and their energy towards this wasted.
