Julen Lopetegui set to axe Michail Antonio from West Ham United starting line-up
Michail Antonio has been highlighted as the primary attacking change Julen Lopetegui needs to make in his West Ham line up in the coming weeks, by Roshane Thomas.
The Athletic journalist wrote for the outlet’s website on 16 September that the 34-year-old “no longer deserves” to be the Irons’ first-choice striker after an ineffective start to the season.
Lopetegui has opted to start the Jamaica international in all four Premier League fixtures so far this term but he has yet to score for the new boss.
Danny Ings came off the bench to rescue a point away to Fulham at the weekend with an equaliser deep into stoppage time, while Niclas Fullkrug was signed from Borussia Dortmund this summer for £25million [Florian Plettenberg, 2 August].
Danny Ings scores rare West Ham goal to steal point at Fulham
Antonio’s importance to West Ham in recent seasons can’t be underplayed but after a transfer window where well over £100million of new signings were brought in it is surely the time to change.
The converted wing-back was a crucial part of the success under David Moyes and proved to be the only reliable source of goals up front year after year as big-money competition came and went.
But he is the oldest of Lopetegui’s three 30-plus forwards and his scoring rate has been falling for a few seasons.
He has regularly been linked with a move away in recent transfer windows [The Athletic] so it is somewhat of a surprise that he is still at the London Stadium let alone starting this term.
The same could be said of Ings who says he was never close to leaving this summer despite the club looking to move his big contract off the wage bill [talkSPORT, 13 August].
A mixed start to the season has dampened some of the excitement built up during the transfer window, with Lopetegui’s reluctance to turn to some of his new recruits giving shades of Moyes.
Jhon Duran’s spectacular start to the season after failing to get the West Ham move he made clear he wanted [James Nursey, 22 July] hasn’t helped matters at the London Stadium, especially as Fullkrug is yet to score in three late appearances off the bench in the Premier League and one start in the Carabao Cup before picking up an injury.
The German still seems a better option to lead the line than Antonio once he returns, and while Ings will need to show some consistency to suggest he is ready to step up from a disappointing 18 months he has probably staked a claim for a start against Chelsea next week.
In other West Ham news, a rival club were stunned after holding late transfer talks with the Hammers.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.