OPINION
You would have to have a heart of stone to not feel sorry for Michail Antonio in the early stages of this season.
The West Ham forward always puts in 110%, and looked as if he could be in for a really significant season this year in claret and blue prior to picking up a hamstring injury that threatens to keep him out until next month, as per Claret & Hugh.
In his absence, Andriy Yarmolenko has stepped up to the plate and has seemingly made a first team position all his own.
But if the latest report from The Sun is to be believed, then the Hammers could be willing to offer 29-year-old Antonio a new deal, even if he is out of the starting line up.
And governing him a new contract feels like a really smart move.
Antonio is an impactful player who can really change a game on his day, and his average of 3.6 shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, as well as 1.4 key passes and 2.1 successful dribbles per 90, as per Whoscored, show just how significant he can be in terms of creating danger.
He also has a unique brilliance when it comes to attacking the ball in the air.
For a player who stands at 5′ 11″, Antonio scores a lot of headed goals, with 16 of his 26 efforts in the Premier League coming from from aerial situations, as per the league themselves.
As such, he can lead the line well, but is also a well-rounded and versatile forward player besides.
Giving him a new deal is a no-brainer.
