Carlton Cole: Antonio is a force to be reckoned with
West Ham striker Michail Antonio continued his impressive run of form in front of goal against Rapid Vienna on Thursday night.
The Jamaican international, 31, did not get on the scoresheet, but he provided a brilliant assist for Declan Rice’s opener, taking his involvement in goals across all competitions in 2021-22 to 10.
Antonio has six goals and four assists so far, and Carlton Cole believes he is now very much a force to reckon with.
The West Ham ace took to his personal Instagram account after the game to react.
He said: “Winning at home in Europe.
Say it with your chest.”
Cole was in the comment section to send a message to the forward.
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Antonio has become a beast in front of goal, constantly giving defenders nightmares, and when he is not scoring, he is providing assists for grateful teammates.
He has scored 10 league goals in each of the last two seasons, but he has already reached half of that tally six games into the season.
The goalless draw with Southampton is the only game in which the Hammers ace has not been involved in a goal so far this term, and he could be on course to fire his side into Europe again this term.
West Ham have one of the best players in the league on their hands, and David Moyes has to find a way to keep him fit at all cost going forward in 2021-22.
Having him constantly being a nuisance to opposition defenders is a boost on its own, and if his finishing keeps improving, he could be ending the campaign with at least 20 league goals.
That could be enough from him to help the Irons to a top-four finish, and his contributions in the attacking third could also help the club finally end their 41-year trophy drought.
In other West Ham news, Mark Noble has been spotted after a match embracing magic forward who quit Hammers in summer.
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