Clinton Morrison has questioned how West Ham United can keep Michail Antonio ‘happy’ after losing his place to Gianluca Scamacca. He also wonders if the pair can play together.
Antonio had been the figurehead of the Hammers’ frontline since David Moyes returned to the London Stadium in December 2019. But the Jamaican has now fallen to second choice behind Scamacca. The Italian took over point duty following the September internationals.
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After starting one of his first five Premier League games after joining West Ham, Scamacca has opened each of his past five. The £30.5m summer signing from Serie A side Sassuolo is also the Irons’ joint-top scorer with two goals. He fired home against Wolves and Fulham.
Antonio and Jarrod Bowen have also found the back of the net twice in the top-flight so far this term. The former first fired home against Chelsea before scoring off the bench against Fulham. Whilst Bowen hit his first against Wolves before adding at home to the Cottagers.
The Craven Cottage outfit’s visit to the London Stadium marked one of Antonio’s six games off the bench this term. He has also started in six games but has not opened a match since the September international break. His five outings through October also total 69 minutes.
Morrison questions if West Ham can keep Antonio ‘happy’ amid Scamacca’s form
Morrison has now raised the issue on Sky Sports News (29/10, 13:46) over how West Ham will keep Antonio happy with Scamacca starting. The 32-year-old’s last five Premier League games have only included one appearance of over 16 minutes with 24 at home to Wolves.
One option Morrison queries would be for Moyes to start both of Antonio and Scamacca. Although the 23-year-old also played as a lone striker under Alessio Dionisi at Sassuolo last season. But the nine-cap ace has featured with another forward in Roberto Mancini’s Italy.
“It looks like they’ve turned a corner now,” Morrison suggested. “They’ve got the likes of Scamacca scoring goals.
“The only problem I see with West Ham is are you going to keep Antonio happy? Because at the moment, he was the main man, [but now] he’s sitting on the bench. Could you play them both together?”
Moyes has seldom sought to start Antonio as anything but a striker since replacing Manuel Pellegrini as West Ham’s manager. But the £70k-a-week attacker might need to consider a different role going forward if he wishes to start and cannot displace Scamacca in the side.
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