West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has used his column for the Evening Standard to state that he believes Michail Antonio’s best position is as a striker.
Although not directly contradicting the player’s own thoughts on his favoured position, the Hammers boss has revealed that he sees the 27 year old’s future in the middle rather than on the wing:
“He has enjoyed a terrific season. He is a striker but not a conventional No9, although he has all the ammunition to do that, too.”
In an interview for ESPN FC last month, Antonio said he was an attacking player, preferring to play on the right or left wing. No doubt he will be willing to play wherever Bilic wants him to next campaign after just signing a new deal to remain at the London Stadium.
The fact that he is the club’s top goalscorer with nine goals this season may have influenced Bilic’s opinion on the matter, but it is unclear how the club’s player of the season will be employed if, as expected, West Ham sign some out and out forwards in the summer. Considering Antonio’s flexibility though, I doubt Bilic will care too much about defining his role in the team.
