OPINION
It’s difficult to say that West Ham United midfielder Carlos Sanchez was a big disappointment for the team this season, because there were so few expectations placed on him to begin with.
The club’s supporters weren’t expecting a big impact when the 33-year-old arrived from West Ham United last summer, but his first campaign with the Hammers must be considered a major flop nonetheless.
The Colombian international made just six appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s side before going down with a knee injury that kept him out until the final two games of the Premier League season, where he made brief cameo appearances.
It’s no surprise, then, that the Daily Star reported earlier this week that West Ham are unlikely to hand him fresh terms beyond when his contract expires at the end of next season.
It’s absolutely the right decision to ready the axe for Sanchez, and not just because he suffered a major injury. No, it’s how poor he looked in his early appearances for the Hammers this season that vindicate the club’s call here.
He looked completely out of his depth in the early part of the season, and it was clear that he’s a player who is very much past his best. He couldn’t cut it in the Premier League when he was a much younger man with Aston Villa, so it’s not a shock that he struggled at this advanced stage of his career.
The cruel truth is that he needs to go; he’s simply not a useful member of the playing squad. However, are the club going to get any real sell on value for a 33-year-old who is coming off poor form and a lengthy knee injury? The answer to that question is surely a resounding no.
Therefore, West Ham have seemingly made the decision to keep him around and see what little use they can get out of him next season before letting him leave on a free when his contract expires. That is the perfect thing to do in this situation and the club should be applauded for it.
