Antonio was named in Sam Allardyce’s first Three Lions squad.
West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has told the club’s official website that Michail Antonio will prove to be a perfect fit for England as he is a winner and a fighter.
Antonio was named in former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce’s first Three Lions squad for Sunday’s first 2018 World Cup qualifier in Slovakia.
The 26-year-old will feel that he deserved his call-up after displaying fine consistent form since his arrival in East London from Nottingham Forest last summer.
Antonio has scored 11 goals in 37 appearances for the club despite often being used as a right-back, and there would not be too many onlookers who would begrudge him his spot in Allardyce’s squad.
Gold is certainly backing the decision, and believes that Antonio’s qualities as a fighter and a winner mean he will fit in perfectly at national level.
The Hammers co-chairman told the club’s website: “I was so happy to see Michail Antonio earn a call-up to the England squad and I have always been one of his biggest fans. He is exciting to watch and there is such a great expectation from the crowd every time he gets the ball.
“I know Sam Allardyce well and he likes winners and fighters and Michail fits all the requirements. I am very excited for him and I know everyone at the football club is fully behind him and wishes him the best of luck ahead of the World Cup Qualifier against Slovakia on Sunday.
“At last we have someone back in the England squad and I hope there will be many more to follow this season.”
West Ham were unfortunate not to have any representatives in Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016 after captain Mark Noble and left-back Aaron Cresswell – to name but two – also enjoyed superb individual campaigns.
Hammers fans will be eagerly watching on to see how Antonio fares if he is thrown into action by Allardyce, with broadcaster Stan Collymore suggesting that the winger merits a start against Slovakia.
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