Report: Michail Antonio to switch international allegiance to Jamaica ahead of 2022 World Cup
West Ham striker Michail Antonio has been approached to join the Jamaican national side for their World Cup qualification campaign.
The 30-year-old has been a part of previous England squads under Sam Allardyce and Gareth Southgate, but has never been capped at any level.
According to the Telegraph, Jamacia have moved to secure his international future, and understand Antonio is set to accept the approach.
Jamacia start their CONCACAF qualifiers in September against Mexico and Costa Rica. They had previously tried to secure Antonio in 2016, but he declined to focus on England.
He now has the chance to represent them at the World Cup, should they qualify, under manager Theodore Whitmore.
World Cup quality
You have to admire Antonio’s hunger to play in a world cup. Obviously it’s a dream for every footballer, but it just wasn’t looking likely in the England squad.
Antonio was first called into the England set-up under Sam Allardyce in 2016. He didn’t get on, and this turned out to be Big Sam’s only match in charge.
He was called up again in March 2017 by Southgate. Unfortunately, the striker had to withdraw from matches with Germany and Lithuania through injury. Since then, he hasn’t been near the squad.
England are stacked in the striking department at the moment. Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Danny Ings, Callum Wilson, Patrick Bamford and Ollie Watkins are all having excellent seasons in front of goal. Antonio is some way down the list, but can definitely play internationally.
The striker was prolific after the restart last year. His goals pretty much kept the Hammers up on his own, and he’s maintained that this season. His impressive return of six goals in 14 games this season further backs this up, he’s very important to West Ham and David Moyes.
Antonio is, after all, just six goals away from 49 in the Premier League for West Ham. This would equal a club record set by the icon, Paolo Di Canio. He has, however, missed 11 league matches through injury and fatigue, which would be an immediate concern if he’s travelling to play internationally.
That is looking at this from a completely selfish point of view. Antonio has every right to go and prove he can play at the highest level, he’s definitely capable. It would just be a concern that he may burn out, which we have seen a few times over the past few seasons.
It’s an exciting time for the Jamaican national side, that’s for sure. With Antonio set to switch, they also have Ravel Morrison, Leon Bailey and Bobby Decordova-Reid on their books. That’s a top-level attack.
In other West Ham news, here is our predicted XI to face Manchester City.