Sport
Michail Antonio at the forefront of West Ham success
Not many predicted West Ham would be in the mix for a top four finish in the Premier League last season. David Moyes’ team entered the 2020/21 campaign amid a cloud of fan protests and criticism of a summer transfer window which saw just one permanent addition made (Tomas Soucek, who had previously been on loan at the club). A sixth place finish represented real progress for the Hammers, particularly given the circumstances, but this success was tinged with disappointment having occupied a top four place for a number of weeks. Now, the challenge is to build on that and Michail Antonio is one player who could help West Ham do this.
Antonio’s development into one of the most effective centre forwards in the English game has caught many by surprise. Not so long ago, he was seen as a winger or even a wing back. Now, at the age of 31, Antonio is West Ham’s main man in attack. The frontman they play into and the finisher who already has four goals in four appearances this season
The goal Michail Antonio scored in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace saw the 31-year-old surpass Paulo di Canio as West Ham’s top scorer of the Premier League era, illustrating the standing he currently boasts at the London Stadium. What’s most impressive is that, despite his age, there is a sense Antonio has only just found his true form as a player. There is much more to come.
“I think he [Michail Antonio] will see it as a big deal and so he should do because West Ham, if you look through the eras, have had so many great players,” Moyes said when asked about the significance Antonio passing di Canio’s record. “So I think that for [Michail] to have the chance to do it, having started as a winger and then full-back and wing-back, for this period in his career he is a centre-forward so I hope he gets in front by about 20 or 30 goals ahead of Paolo Di Canio.”
While West Ham dropped points at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, their start to the 2021/22 Premier League suggests Moyes’ team will once again be in the mix for European qualification. However, their top four chances depend on Antonio and his goals. If fully fit, he could fire the Hammers into the Champions League.
West Ham might well have made their position in the top four last season stick hadMichail Antonio not missed so many matches through injury. With the 31-year-old sidelined, the Hammers lacked a physical presence in attack. It’s not just goals Antonio provides, but a certain purpose in the final third. Without him, West Ham can sometimes be directionless in their play
Moyes certainly doesn’t have the attacking options of some of his Premier League peers – see the wealth of attacking talent at Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United – but the Scot has struck the right balance with his final third structure. Not every top four contenders can say that right now.
With Antonio as the apex, Pablo Fornals in behind and Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen on the wings West Ham have a combination of physical and technical qualities. Fornals is the best with the ball at his feet while Benrahma has the spark to create something out of nothing. Then there’s Bowen, whose energy and drive epitomises Moyes’ approach.
But West Ham’s system wouldn’t work without Antonio setting the tone up front, without the 31-year-old putting the finishing touches on everything. If the Champions League anthem is to one day ring around the London Stadium, Michail Antonio will likely have done more than anyone else to make it happen.
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