Football players are ‘meat’ to clubs, former West Ham striker Michail Antonio has declared in a fierce defence of Alexander Isak’s actions in pushing for a move to Liverpool.
Antonio, who left the Hammers as a free agent this summer – eight months after he was involved in a potentially life-altering car accident – has claimed that ‘loyalty in the game has really gone’ and queried why players should remain devoted to their employers when it is no longer reciprocated.
His strong statements come amid the reported deterioration of relations between Isak and his current club Newcastle, who have been steadfast in their determination to keep the Swedish striker despite his desire to join the Premier League champions this summer.
The Swede is not training with his team-mates and will not play in the Premier League opener at Aston Villa this weekend after letting it be known to boss Eddie Howe and the club he wants to move to Anfield.
The manner in which Isak has agitated for what would be a British record transfer has been criticised in some quarters, but Antonio has defended his fellow professional and provided an insight into the psyche of today’s stars.
‘As a player, loyalty in the game has really gone,’ he told FourFourTwo. ‘Obviously I was at West Ham for 10 years, like all these players, that [loyalty] doesn’t really last anymore, and I feel rightly so, because end of the day, clubs no longer treat players like they used to either.
Former West Ham striker MIchail Antonio has claimed that players are treated like ‘meat’ by clubs
The 35-year-old Jamaica international was involving in a potentially life-altering car accident last year
‘So, because of that reason, why should the player be loyal to a club? I understand being loyal to fans, but being loyal to a club when he’s going to try and better himself and better his life and try and achieve things that he’s not going to achieve at another club.
‘So, it is what it is. For me, I feel like what he’s done is trying to better himself and do what he can to better himself.’
Following his remarkable recovery from an accident that required him to be cut loose by emergency services after being trapped in the wreckage for more than 45 minutes, Antonio was unable to agree terms on a new deal with the Hammers.
After being taken hospital, thew Jamaica international learned that his leg was badly broken, with his femur shattering in four places. His impressive recovery saw him training just four months after the collision.
The 35-year-old has been adamant that he wants to return to competitive top-flight action and continue his career, but remains without a club during this transfer window.
His perspective is particularly important given his recent ordeal and claims that players are treated are dehumanised carry serious weight.
‘We are meat to them,’ added Antonio. ‘As soon as we start going stale, it’s time to sell or throw away. Before, if a player was at a club for a few years, you see the human side of that player – now it’s all about money, and how much money can they make [for] the club?
‘And that’s where it’s got to, so if a club is going to think about the money side of things, why shouldn’t a player?’
Antonio has defended the actions of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak who is agitating for a move to Liverpool
The decision on whether to sell Isak rests with the club’s Saudi owners. The message from the top remains that he is not for sale, but there is also an acceptance among some that an exit, on Newcastle’s terms, could be best for the club going forward, which is why they pursued the likes of Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko as replacements for the 25-year-old.
Liverpool are waiting for Newcastle to sign a striker before returning with an improved offer, after their opening £110m bid was rejected last week.
