Jake Humphrey has ‘huge respect’ for West Ham United star Michail Antonio after what he said
West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has received praise from Jake Humphrey after opening up on his mental health struggles and seeking therapy.
Humphrey’s post on X [16 May] lauded the Jamaican international for his bravery and openness in discussing difficult periods throughout his life and career on the High Performance Podcast.
Antonio also talked over his nine-year period at West Ham on the episode, which could come to a close this summer as he mulls over the next steps in his career at the age of 34.
Humphrey said: “Huge respect to West Ham’s Michail Antonio for opening up on his mental health struggles and seeking therapy.
“Brave, brilliant move from a current Premier League player. Thank you, Michail.”
Antonio’s contribution is an admirable one during this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
Antonio can be proud of West Ham service
It only takes a minute or so of listening to Antonio to recognise how rigidly he sets his own high standards, constantly striving for improvement.
He will play for as long as he feels he possibly can, physically and mentally, and despite his recent self-criticism when talking about his own season at West Ham, he will go down in folklore at the London Stadium.
Joining the club during the Upton Park days as a 25-year-old right-back, Antonio wasn’t content until he became the Premier League attacker he strived to be. And in each of the past four seasons before this term, he has hit double figures in goals and helped deliver the Hammers’ first major trophy in over 40 years.
There is still a chance Antonio could reach a decade in East London with new manager Julen Lopetegui being a previous admirer of his, but he will have plenty of lucrative offers elsewhere having been a recent target for MLS and Saudi clubs.
In other West Ham news, a release clause is discussed for Mohammed Kudus.
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