West Ham ace Michail Antonio spoke exclusively to Sky Sports yesterday, and claimed that numerous Premier League managers suggested that he wasn’t good enough for the top flight when he was at Nottingham Forest.
The 29-year-old joined the Hammers from Forest in the summer of 2015, for a fee believed to be worth £7 million, according to BBC Sport.
Antonio has gone on to be a real hit at West Ham. And he is has clearly proven himself to be more than good enough for the Premier League.
The Englishman has clocked up 28 goals and 18 assists in 132 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers.
And those really are rather impressive numbers, especially considering the fact that he spent nearly a full season playing at right-back for West Ham.
Antonio spoke exclusively to Sky Sports, and shared how he was told by a selection of Premier League managers that he didn’t have what it takes to play in the top flight whilst he was with Forest:
“Once I’ve achieved something, I will always push myself to achieve something else. When I got into the reserves, I said I need to get into the first team. When I got into the first team, I wanted to get into the Championship. And then I wanted to get into the Premier League. I scored nine goals and had 11 assists in the Championship. I was doing better than certain players in my position, but when I spoke to Premier League managers, they told me I was not consistent enough.”
Antonio’s proved everyone wrong
The West Ham winger is obviously more than good enough to play in the Premier League. On his day, he is one of the very best. And there will not be one single defender who relishes playing against him.
Antonio is currently out injured with a hamstring injury. And he is not expected to return until January at the earliest.
And the West Ham ace will be hoping to return stronger and fitter than he ever was before. He still has a huge part to play for the Hammers this season.
The 29-year-old’s game is based on explosive pace and power, however. And whether he can rediscover that upon his return remains to be seen.
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