Opinions

West Ham are wrong to offload Antonio

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OPINION

West Ham are making a huge mistake if they sell Michail Antonio this summer.

Sure, he had a pretty ropey 2017-18 season in which hamstring, rib and calf injuries robbed him of the chance to make a sustained impact.

Three goals in 21 appearances for an attacking player earning a cool £70,000-a-week (source: Spotrac) is a pretty poor return, and it is understandable why club chiefs feel underwhelmed.

The Guardian claim the London outfit will sell Antonio this summer for the right offer amid interest from bitter rivals Crystal Palace.

The two Davids, Gold and Sullivan, and new manager Manuel Pellegrini would be making a big mistake by cashing in on such a versatile talent.

Antonio has proved in the three years since signing from Nottingham Forest that he is a matchwinner capable of scoring crucial goals and giving defenders the runaround. Brilliant in the air, quick and direct, he has perhaps suffered from the breadth of his skill-set.

How many other Premier League players have been used in such a variety of positions in the last few years? Right-back, right wing-back, right midfield, left midfield, central attacking midfield, centre-forward. Antonio only needs a run in goal and at centre-back for the full set.

It is precisely this versatility that makes the celebration king such a crucial squad player.

West Ham need him to up his game and rediscover the form of 2016-17 that led to an England call-up. But, crucially, they do just need him.

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