OPINION
West Ham United midfielder Robert Snodgrass was a forgotten man at the club last season after he was farmed out on loan to Aston Villa.
Under boss Manuel Pellegrini though, the 31-year-old has enjoyed a new lease of life after he was given the chance to impress – and it is safe to say that he has achieved that.
He has no doubt surprised many fans with the contribution he has made this season, yes, there have been times where he is not been entirely on song, but his recent appearance against Chelsea tells you all you need to know about the impact he can make.
The Scottish international came off the bench and increased the energy levels on Monday, despite the fact that the Irons went on to lose 2-0 that evening.
However, his current contract runs out in 2020, and it must be the club’s priority to secure his future and offer him an extended stay at the London Stadium.
Based on his form, they would be mad not to want to keep him in time for the new campaign. At his age, not many other clubs would be interested in taking him on permanently, but that does not rule out clubs wanting the £40,000-a-week [Spotrac] star on loan.
If they do not secure his future as soon as possible, then they risk him leaving on a free transfer next summer, and that is something that they definitely would not want to happen after the way he has proved many doubters wrong.
This time last year, Snodgrass was no doubt thinking of leaving West Ham after being ousted by the likes of David Moyes, but his mindset will surely be a lot different now. Pellegrini has been proved right in his bold decision to play him this season, and he too would want to keep him a little while longer.
