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West Ham transfer news: Javier Hernandez creating 'toxic' atmosphere among squad
WEST HAM striker Javier Hernandez is creating a “toxic” atmosphere at the club, according to a mysterious insider.
Hernandez was signed by the Hammers at the start of last season for £16million.
The Mexican was largely considered a flop, however, scoring eight league goals in 28 appearances.
The former United striker was not favoured by his ex-boss David Moyes, who was reluctant to field the one-dimensional poacher.
Chicharito hoped he would be given a new lease of life under Manuel Pellegrini this season, but that hasn’t been the case.
Other players start to think: ‘If this player’s on £145,000-a-week, then I should be on that or more’
The 30-year-old has netted once in eight league appearances this campaign, playing second-fiddle to Marko Arnautovic in the one centre-forward role available.
It has now emerged from an anonymous insider that the striker is reportedly creating a “toxic” atmosphere at the training ground.
The news comes from Twitter account @ExWHUemployee, who has made a reputation for successfully predicting the West Ham line-up several hours before it is released.
Hernandez is the highest-earner at the London Stadium, earning £145,000-a-week.
The Twitter account claims that fact is creating a disorder among other, more important players.
Speaking to The West Ham Way podcast, @ExWHUemployee said: “The problem we’ve got with him [Hernandez] is that he’s our highest paid player and he doesn’t play.
“So that causes an issue with those players who do play regularly.
“Just by having him there, on the bench, earning that money and not playing and scoring, other players start to think: ‘Well if this player’s on £145,000-a-week, then I should be on that or more.’
“And so it’s almost becoming a little bit toxic indirectly by having him there.”
The insider expressed how much of a shame it was, given the club’s excitement upon signing the Mexican last season.
“Look how excited West Ham fans were,” @ExWHUEemployee added.
“We all travelled up to Man United wearing sombreros for that game [Hernandez’s debut on the opening day of last season].
“We were buzzing for that. And I was buzzing, I couldn’t wait for him to sign.
“But you look back and you think: ‘OK, maybe it is time for him to go now in January’.”