West Ham captain Mark Noble ‘went too far’ by speaking out against the club’s decision to cash-in on Hammers prodigy Grady Diangana.
That’s according to former Premier League players Danny Mills and Micky Gray, who claim club chiefs Karren Brady, David Gold and David Sullivan will be left ‘absolutely furious’ with the skipper’s actions.
Noble posted on Twitter that he was ‘angry and sad’ with the news of Diangana’s exit to West Brom.
The 22-year-old winger spent last season on loan at the Hawthorns, where he managed eight goals and seven assists to help the Baggies to promotion back to the top flight.
Hammers fans were eager to see him return to play in claret and blue and were excited for his breakthrough season ahead, having also seen him impress during the club’s pre-season campaign.
And there was outrage among the West Ham faithful when the club announced on Friday they had agreed to sell Diangana to West Brom in a permanent deal worth £18million.
The club defended the decision to cash-in on the promising star, saying the additional funds will help David Moyes strengthen his team in key areas ahead of the 2020/21 season.
But that wasn’t enough to appease supporters, while Noble, Declan Rice and Jack Wilshere also made it clear they were on the fans’ side as they reacted on social media on Friday night.
Gray understands why, saying Diangana is a ‘great talent’ having watched him a number of times last season, but he believes Noble, as club captain, perhaps went a bit too far by going public with his criticism.
“Mark Noble is Mr West Ham – he’s been there as a kid, he’s come all the way through the ranks and he’s played so many games for the club and he’s the captain of the club – he’s a powerful guy in that dressing room,” Gray said on The Sports Bar on talkSPORT.
“This is pretty huge for him to come out and say that, and personally I think it’s maybe a step too far.
“I can imagine right at this moment that Karren Brady, David Gold and David Sullivan are absolutely furious, really, really furious.