Paul Merson sends ‘Unbelievable’ Michail Antonio message at West Ham United
Paul Merson has sent Michail Antonio well wishes after the West Ham United forward’s accident.
The 34-year-old was involved in a road traffic accident on 7 December, and while he’s in stable condition, it remains to be seen how long the striker will take to return to football.
Merson would be delighted to see the Jamaican take the pitch once again and has praised him for an “unbelievable” career at the London Stadium — with the Irons expected to hold talks over extending his contract [The Times, 9 December].
In his Sportskeeda column [12 December], he wrote: “Michail Antonio, I just want to say I’m really glad you got out of that car alive. That looked really scary, and it’s going to be a battle for him to return to the pitch now.
“If he plays again, it’s an absolute bonus, but the main thing is that he got out alive. He’s had a great career, what an unbelievable player for West Ham. He works on his own mostly, puts in a shift every single game and no defender would ever want to go up against him on his day. I wish him well.”
Michail Antonio a great West Ham United ambassador
Antonio has been a loyal servant at the Hammers for several years, transitioning from full-back to striker.
The Jamaica international joined the Irons from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2015 and quickly showcased his versatility.
In the 2020/21 campaign, the 34-year-old truly announced himself, scoring 10 goals and providing five in the Premier League, primarily playing as a number nine.
Over the years, Antonio has been a reliable outlet for several West Ham managers and is still an essential figure in Julen Lopetegui’s plans.
While the goals might have dried up for the Jamaican, his tenacity and work-rate off the ball are things to admire and an example for the younger generations.
Many thought that Antonio’s minutes in the team would diminish with Niclas Fullkrug’s arrival, but the German striker’s fitness issues meant that the Spanish head coach consistently called upon the 34-year-old in the current campaign.
The forward will be a big miss for the Irons, and they’ll need to fill the void left by his absence in January.
In other West Ham news, an update has emerged regarding Sergio Conceicao amid doubts about Lopetegui’s future.
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.