Michail Antonio blasted over West Ham United controversy as exit speculation emerges from East London
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has blasted Michail Antonio for talking down Gianluca Scamacca in the build-up to West Ham United’s Europa Conference League win over Fiorentina.
Speaking on the Filthy Fellas podcast, as quoted by the Daily Mail on 1 June, Antonio said that while Scamacca is a “quality” player, he’s not a fighter and that he “can’t play the way [David Moyes] plays”.
McAvennie is dead against Antonio speaking so brutally about a teammate, especially due to the timing.
He now believes there needs to be some kind of action against Antonio, whose future at the London Stadium is already in doubt [The Guardian].
“They’ve got to do something,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“I know he does his podcasts and all sorts but you can’t say that about your teammates. It’s not right for the dressing room.
“I get what he’s trying to say – it’s the same as what I say about that other lump who came in, Sebastien Haller – he couldn’t play up front on his own.
“But who’s to say that because Antonio was a winger and he became a centre-forward. Who’s to say Scamacca couldn’t do that?
“At the moment, you just don’t say it. He’s your teammate. It’s not right.”
Scamacca missed West Ham’s Conference League triumph over Fiorentina in Prague earlier this month due to injury.
Antonio started the game and was substituted off in the 94th minute as Moyes brought on Angelo Ogbonna to try and see out the win.
It was an underwhelming performance by Antonio in the final with the striker struggling himself for the bulk of the season in 2022/23.