Michail Antonio has been in sensational form for West Ham United this season.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio in action
Michail Antonio has been one of the Hammers’ best performers once again this season, with his energetic, powerful displays proving to be pivotal to Slaven Bilic’s side’s recent resurgence in form.
The 26-year-old moved to West Ham from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2015, for a fee believed to be in the region of £7 million, and he is proving to be one of the Premier League’s best signings in recent years.
And his displays over the course of this season have led to fans and pundits alike calling for Gareth Southgate to include the Hammers winger in his next England squad.
With the the Three Lions in desperate need of a change of direction, along with more determination, courage and passion in and amongst the squad, the inclusion of Antonio would seem to be a no-brainer.
And there are statistics to back that notion up.
The former Forest man has made 50 Premier League appearances for West Ham, and in that time he has scored 16 goals, registered six assists, and has won three penalties for his side which have been subsequently dispatched (statistics provided via WHUFC.com).
His involvement in a total of 25 goals has been bettered by only one English player in the midfield / wing positions during that timespan – Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli, who has racked up an impressive tally of 32 (20 goals and 12 assists).
Dele Alli is the only English midfielder who has been involved in more goals than Antonio since the summer of 2015
Liverpool star Adam Lallana has 11 goals and 13 assists to his name, whilst Arsenal’s Theo Walcott has a total of 22 with 16 goals and six assists, during that same period.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Everton’s Ross Barkley are next on the list with totals of 23 and 20 respectively.
So, quite clearly, if Gareth Southgate is unsure on including Antonio in his next national team squad, he may want to have a look at those numbers, and maybe then he will realise just how effective the West Ham winger is.
England manager Gareth Southgate with Sir Trevor Brooking
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
