Micah Richards has admitted in a Daily Mail column that Michail Antonio has surprised him with how well and by how much the West Ham United striker has improved over the years.
The former England full-back recalls how Antonio left an impression when they met earlier in their careers. But Richards never expected him to go on to achieve what he has since.
Antonio has developed his game from being a versatile winger to become the focal point of West Ham’s attack. The 31-year-old now offers an instrumental role in how the Irons play.
Only Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah has been involved in more Premier League goals so far this term than Antonio. The Egyptian has had a hand in 16 with 10 scored and six assisted in 11 games, while Antonio has struck home six and laid on three assists in 10 appearances.
Richards now rates Antonio among the top-flight’s top centre-forwards and says the West Ham striker stunned him on international duty.
“Plenty of super goals to enjoy during the international break but none made me jump out of my chair like Michail Antonio’s blast for Jamaica against the United States,” he wrote.
“This man is on fire! I remember playing against him when he was at Nottingham Forest, he was strong and quick, but I never expected him to progress as he has done.
“What an absolutely fantastic story this has been. I love how down to earth he is and how he genuinely enjoys it all. He is one of the top strikers in the division right now, and there can be no higher compliment.”
West Ham star Antonio opens account for Jamaica
Antonio opened his Jamaica account in the November international break when the West Ham striker scored against El Salvador.
He had made his Reggae Boyz debut during their September fixtures, but failed to net at home to Panama. He also made himself unavailable in October over travel-related issues.
But Antonio put that behind him to score against El Salvador, before the West Ham striker stunned the United States. Sealing a 1-1 draw by finding the top corner from 30-yards out.
The £7m arrival from Nottingham Forest in 2015 gave Manchester City’s Zack Steffen no chance as he unleashed a rocket. And David Sullivan ensured there were no travel issues by laying on a private jet, so Antonio had time to recover for West Ham’s trip to Wolves.
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