Julen Lopetegui to keep faith in Michail Antonio ahead of West Ham United v Chelsea
Michail Antonio has had a disappointing start to the Premier League season despite starting every game for West Ham.
The Jamaican forward has yet to hit the back of the net during Julen Lopetegui’s era at the London Stadium, though it has only been four matches and the players are still adapting to his style of play.
Lopetegui decided to hook the 34-year-old at half-time during the Hammers’ 1-1 draw with Fulham, replacing him with Crysencio Summerville and leaving no out-and-out striker on the pitch.
In the end, Danny Ings was thrown on to save the day, scoring in the fifth minute of added time to secure a point at Craven Cottage, but the manager needs to keep the faith in Antonio against Chelsea.
Niclas Fullkrug is unlikely to be available at the London Stadium on Saturday 21 September [Nizaar Kinsella], leaving just Antonio and Ings as options.
Julen Lopetegui to trust Michail Antonio for West Ham United v Chelsea
In 12 meetings against the Blues in all competitions, Antonio has a pretty decent record – six wins, three draws and three losses. These games also include three goals and three assists.
The Hammers have been known to cause an upset against their London counterparts, and the 34-year-old has been crucial in two of those victories, with both coming in front of the home crowd.
With the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen surrounding him in the final third, he should be given every opportunity against a Chelsea side that conceded the second-most goals in the top half of the Premier League last season.
Antonio has certainly been far from his best, but Lopetegui needs to trust the veteran if the Hammers have any chance of claiming a positive result against Enzo Maresca’s side this weekend.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui risks gifting Chelsea a win if he unleashes a “bull in a china shop”.
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