West Ham United will have to face Chelsea without the suspended Michail Antonio.
West Ham United owners David Gold and David Sullivan
Hammers co-chairman David Gold highlighted how important Michail Antonio has become to the side, when writing his regular column for the club’s official website, and expressed his disappointment that the former Nottingham Forest man will be unavailable for selection against Chelsea on Monday night.
The 26-year-old was sent off during the latter stages of Saturday’s draw with Watford, and with his subsequent suspension, he will miss West Ham’s huge clash against Antonio Conte’s league leaders next week.
Antonio has been in sensational form for Slaven Bilic’s side since he made his £7 million move from the City Ground in the summer of 2015, scoring 16 goals in 51 Premier League appearances – a quite remarkable ratio considering that he was deployed in the right-back role for a sustained period of time.
And Gold discussed how he felt the Hammers deserved more than a point at Vicarage Road, whilst lamenting Antonio’s red card in the latter stages of the game, when writing his column for WHUFC.com:
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio
“We obviously had a few decisions that went against us and it was very disappointing to see Michail Antonio sent-off right at the end. I felt so sorry for him and it is a big blow that he will now miss the Chelsea game.”
The East London outfit currently sit in ninth position in the Premier League table, and if they are to have any chance of making a late push for the final Europa League spot, three points against the Blues on Monday night will be of paramount importance.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
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