West Ham facing ‘massive blow’ after Antonio reveal – pundit
West Ham face a “massive blow” if Michail Antonio can’t take part against Southampton on Boxing Day, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, compared the 31-year-old’s importance to that of Harry Kane at Tottenham.
Antonio has missed West Ham’s last two matches after returning a positive COVID-19 test last week.
David Moyes, speaking at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, suggested the Jamaica international “might” be back for the Boxing Day fixture.
Whelan insisted West Ham “can’t keep relying” on Jarrod Bowen as a makeshift striker in Antonio’s absence.
“It would be a massive blow for West Ham, he’s their talisman,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’s as important to them as Harry Kane for Spurs or Patrick Bamford for Leeds – he’s crucial.
“The goals have dried up for him as of late but he’s still got that dangerous presence when he’s leading the line, and he’s vital for bringing others into the play.
“We saw Bowen doing a job through the middle in the cup game on Wednesday, as we have a number of times now. He was impressive and took his chance well.
“However, you can’t keep relying on a winger dropping into that unfamiliar position.”
The former Southampton hitman is the Irons’ only recognised striker at present.
Antonio started this campaign with four league goals in three games but has failed to register a Premier League goal for West Ham since 24 October.
The Irons sit fifth in the Premier League after 17 games.
In other news, an ex-manager has suggested the real problem for Antonio’s struggles with West Ham.