‘Most important player in that squad’ – Joe Cole raves about West Ham striker Antonio
Joe Cole heaped praise on West Ham striker Michail Antonio after he scored his seventh league goal of the campaign against Manchester City on Saturday.
The Irons striker levelled the game to 1-1 with a 43rd-minute tap in. John Stones went on to strike in the second half to give Man City a 2-1 victory at the Etihad.
Speaking to BT Sport, Hammers legend Cole lauded the development of Antonio and the journey he’s been on in his career.
He said: “If you were going to build in a lab a player to play David Moyes’ style in this role, the hustle-bustle, his link-up play, his intelligence, he’s improving all the time, he got his goal.
“I think with David and the staff, because he’s picked up a few injuries, they’re constantly managing him. He’s so vital now.
“You’ve got to give the lad credit himself, he’s come up from non-league football, through Nottingham Forrest and ended up at West Ham.
“He is arguably the most important player in that squad. He has to be nurtured, he has to be managed through games, but he is a handful for anyone.”
Mighty Mick
Antonio’s transition from winger to out-and-out centre forward has saved us a lot of money in the transfer market. It’s just a shame he didn’t make the transition before we wasted £45million on Haller!
To echo Cole, he’s certainly one of the most important players in the squad. His seven league goals and three assists this season aren’t a bad return. Especially when you consider he’s missed eleven league games through injury.
It does make you wonder where we could be in the league had he stayed fit all season. He was a nightmare to deal with again yesterday. Even for the world-class pairing of John Stones and Ruben Dias, who cost a combined total of £115million.
Antonio showed excellent striking instinct to tap in just before half time. He was unfortunate with an effort that struck the post not long before.
Again, his work rate was fantastic. On a day in which we had little possession, he was feeding off scraps most of the time but still ran the City back four ragged.
He’s becoming a club legend at West Ham, and is well on course to break Paolo Di Canio’s record of 47 Premier League goals. Antonio needs just four to match him.
The way we’re playing at the moment, you’d back him to hold the record by the end of this season.
In other West Ham news, here are three things we learned in the defeat to City.