Callum Wilson has told Michail Antonio that his West Ham side won’t win the Europa League this season, as he told the Footballer’s Football Podcast.
The Newcastle striker added that he wants an English side to win the competition, but he is ‘very honest’ and a ‘realist’ in that it won’t be West Ham.
Well, the Hammers are the ones flying the English flag in the Europa League, as they have a tough tie against Lyon on Thursday night.
David Moyes’ side recorded a 1-1 draw from the first leg and they will need to beat the French side in their backyard if they are to progress and possibly secure a last-four meeting with Barcelona or Frankfurt.
Nonetheless, this is what Antonio and Wilson had to say about West Ham’s chances in the Europa League.
“Do you truly believe that you will win the Europa League?” asked Newcastle’s £20 million striker to which Antonio responded: “I truly believe we will win the Europa League.
Antonio added: “When you look at the teams out there. Barcelona is there. They are quite big (which sparked laughter from Wilson). They’re not the team they used to be. The way we play and how we can shape up to play against these teams, I feel we can win this.”
Wilson responded: “Listen, I personally would like an English team to win the Europa League.
“But, I am very honest and a realist, West Ham aren’t going to win it. Come on!”
Lyon’s home form hasn’t been great and they are struggling in Ligue 1, sitting tenth in the league.
From that perspective, West Ham will fancy themselves, but there is nothing easy about an away European trip.
West Ham’s away defeat to Brentford over the weekend wouldn’t have helped confidence within the camp.
But, at the end of the day, if the fans could pick, they would probably take wins in Europe, rather than the Premier League.
Added with that, win the competition outright and they would secure an automatic place in the Champions League.
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