Neil Warnock has claimed that Michail Antonio has become a ‘hell of a player’ for West Ham United, as he told Sky Sports News (09/04/22 at 1:05 pm).
The recently-retired manager added that he once told David Moyes, ‘I hope Antonio never gets injured’ because he is irreplaceable for West Ham like Harry Kane is for a club on the other side of London.
Signed up for just £7 million from Nottingham Forest in 2015 (Sky Sports), Antonio has been a brilliant purchase from the club, especially during a period when those at the top weren’t exactly showcasing themselves in a good light when buying forward players.
But from being used as a right-back to a dancing and dazzling winger, Antonio is now a key member as West Ham’s number nine.
Warnock likes what he sees from the player, as he doesn’t think Moyes can replace him in the XI.
“You (Paul Merson) talk about Harry Kane (and Tottenham being) a one-man team,” said Warnock.
“I said to David Moyes once, ‘I hope Antonio never gets injured, son’ because he is a hell of a player now, isn’t he?!
“In their squad. I don’t think they can replace him.”
Not helping Antonio by bringing someone in during the January transfer market is something that has annoyed the West Ham fans.
In truth, it’s something they should have done last summer, nevermind a number of months ago.
Whilst he wasn’t an out-and-out forward, Jesse Lingard was brought in on loan last January and his goals helped the club secure a Europa League finish.
That was proof that sparkling the team with added quality can help and elevate the team to reach much higher goals and they will be hoping it doesn’t come back to bite them heading into the final few weeks of the season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
