OPINION
The mood around West Ham is much more cheerier after the side achieved their first victory of the season against Everton but winger Michail Antonio still remains a worry.
The 28-year-old featured in Sunday’s game against the Toffees as he replaced an injured Marko Arnautovic in the 64th minute of the match and was one of the few players who had a less than stellar outing.
In fact not only has Antonio struggled in all of his five appearances this season, he hasn’t exactly looked tip-top for a while as when he has been fit enough to feature in recent campaigns, he has looked a shadow of the player he previously was.
Due to the winger previously delivery the goods for the Hammers, there’s always hope that he will regain his best form despite constantly having appearances where he ends up being the weak link for his side.
However hope that Antonio, who earns £70,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), will ever get back to his best for the Hammers is starting to fade as not only do his performances continue to disappoint but a reliable club insider ExWHUEmployee‘s latest remarks don’t inspire confidence.
During the latest edition of The West Ham Way podcast, which can be listed to on Phoenix FM’s website, the insider shared there was baggage to his situation but wouldn’t specify what.
“Well he got a new deal, I think that’s affected his motivation possibly,” said ExWHUEmployee at the 18:22 minute mark of The West Ham Way podcast,when discussing the player’s form.
“I don’t think he’s, I find it awkward to talk about Michail Antonio because this is what I mean, the whole points I’ve made on various shows this week, I could do a whole podcast on Michail Antonio if I wanted to as I could be the leak or mole that I am but I’m not going to do that cause it’s not right and doesn’t benefit the club.
“But there is baggage to his situation.”
While the reliable source of Hammers information is rightly vague on the details, his suggestion that there is definitely baggage to Antonio’s situation implies that the good times aren’t about to arrive for him.
This means the winger remains a worry for the club, fans and Pellegrini as it sounds like his bad run of form is a rather complex issue to deal with.
