Jose Fonte received heavy criticism from Saints fans following his move to West Ham United.
Mark Lawrenson
Speaking live on BBC’s Football Focus programme at 12:39 on Saturday March 11th, Mark Lawrenson offered his take on Jose Fonte’s January move to the Hammers, suggesting that the Portuguese star earned the right to make the move from Southampton, after his seven year service for the Saints.
The 33-year-old completed his £8 million switch to East London in the latter stages of the January transfer window, amid heavy criticism from Southampton fans, who accused him of showing a lack of loyalty.
He has since disputed claims that he forced through a move by handing in a transfer request, however, and insists that he always gave his all for the Saints throughout his time at the club.
And Lawrenson offered his support for Fonte, when speaking on BBC’s Football Focus programme, suggesting that he earned the right to move to the Hammers:
West Ham United’s Andy Carroll lies on the floor as Jose Fonte looks on
“I think he earned the right for the move. He’s a good signing most definitely. He seems very personable.”
The Portuguese international has struggled to produced the kind of form he showed throughout his Saints career during his short time with West Ham, but he is bound to take a while to get used to playing alongside his new teammates, and learning the different playing philosophy of Slaven Bilic.
And it will only be fair to judge him next term, when he has had a full pre-season with the Hammers under his belt.
West Ham United’s Andre Ayew with Jose Fonte
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