West Ham duo named in BBC pundit Premier League Team of the Year
West Ham’s fine 2021 is being recognised all over the media with two of the club’s standout stars featuring in a BBC team of the year.
Hammers vice-captain Declan Rice and top goal scorer Michail Antonio were singled out by ex-pro Garth Crooks as two of the Premier League’s best players throughout 2021.
Alongside the two West Ham players, five Manchester City players feature with two from Chelsea and one apiece from Arsenal and Liverpool.
“The Jamaica international terrorises defences and has continued to add to his goal scoring tally this season.” Crooks said about goal machine Antonio.
Rice is hailed as “the perfect replacement” as captain for the ageing Mark Noble and Crooks suggests the dominant midfielder is “the first selection on Gareth Southgate’s team sheet” for England.
Deserved Credit
It’s no surprise to see some of the Hammers stars of the past 12 months getting rave reviews from former players.
The club have rarely enjoyed a year better than 2021 which saw the club finish sixth in the Premier League and then go on to have a near perfect start to their Europa League endeavours too.
These two players have been a key part in that success and their importance to David Moyes’ side is felt whenever they are absent.
Antonio especially has been out in recent games with injury but his immediate goal scoring return against Southampton provided a huge boost throughout the club.
Rice has also missed games this season with his workload in midfield as high as anyone’s. Missing West Ham’s most recent game away at Watford with a yellow card suspension was an ideal time for rest given the packed schedule ahead.
Moyes’ side isn’t all about these two though, Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Cresswell and Tomas Soucek have all enjoyed exceptional years and everything points towards 2022 being just as good.
In other West Ham news, they could be without the ‘unbelievable’ player against Crystal Palace.