Behind-the-scenes change mooted in West Ham United ace Michail Antonio, ‘new player’ verdict shared
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 believes something has happened behind the scenes with West Ham United striker Michail Antonio.
The pundit has suggested that perhaps the striker wasn’t happy when Gianluca Scamacca was at the club last season.
The Italian international left in the summer transfer window to join Serie A side Atalanta, with Antonio remaining at the London Stadium.
Scamacca lasted just one season in East London, having joined the Hammers from Sassuolo last summer, with injuries hampering his time in claret and blue.
Antonio meanwhile has enjoyed a superb start to the new season, with the Jamaican scoring twice from his first four Premier League matches.
He has played a key role as the Hammers remain unbeaten in the new Premier League campaign, with the club sitting third in the table with three wins and one draw so far. Antonio found the back of the net in the 3-1 wins against both Chelsea and Brighton last month.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I don’t know what’s happened behind the scenes, because he looks as if he’s a new player, and he looks as if the old Antonio who didn’t want to chase the ball is gone, so something has happened.
“Maybe he didn’t like it with Scamacca there, I don’t know, but I’m delighted that we’ve got the old Antonio back. The one that chases everything, holds the ball up and bullies people.”
In other West Ham news, Paul Merson has shared a ridiculous verdict on new Hammers star James Ward-Prowse.