Sam Allardyce explains why he handed West Ham’s Michail Antonio a first England call-up

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Antonio was the only uncapped player named in Allardyce’s first squad.

England manager Sam Allardyce has explained his reasoning for handing West Ham United star Michail Antonio a first international call-up in his maiden England squad, as shown on the official England Twitter account.

Antonio was the only uncapped player named in the former West Ham and Sunderland manager’s first group ahead of the first 2018 World Cup qualifier in Slovakia.

The inclusion of the 26-year-old in the group came as a surprise to most, particularly when coupled with the high-profile omission of Everton star Ross Barkley.

However, Antonio will likely feel that he has merited the call. The former Nottingham Forest man enjoyed a hugely successful first season in the Premier League last term.

He has also started the current season in fine form despite often being used at right-back, scoring twice in his first three Premier League appearances.

Allardyce was quick to highlight that fine form, and also explained that Antonio’s wide-ranging attributes make him a worthy player of inclusion.

The 61-year-old said, via the England Twitter account: “I think he’s in outstanding form. He had his first introduction to the Premier League last year. This is another lad with a fantastic journey from non-league to now an international call-up.

“I think that last year his impact on West Ham was only overshadowed by [Dimitri] Payet, he scored nine goals in his first season. He’s a terrific athlete, a really good crosser, and a goalscorer from wide positions so that’s the thinking behind, based on his performances over last season and the start of this season.”

Allardyce’s rating of Antonio as West Ham’s best player aside from Payet last season is one that may well be shared by a great deal of Hammers supporters, for whom he has become a fan favourite.

There has been a great deal of frustration towards Slaven Bilic for his tendency to play the winger at right-back, and it will be interesting to see where Allardyce sees Antonio potentially playing for England.