West Ham United right-back Vladimir Coufal has been speaking about his teammate Michail Antonio.
Vladimir Coufal has been a regular member of David Moyes‘ starting XI for West Ham this season, but the same cannot be said for Michail Antonio.
The 33-year-old Hammers forward has fallen down the pecking order this season, and he actually had the chance to leave the London Stadium to join Brazilian side Gremio in January.
Antonio has regressed badly over the past 18 months or so, and he seems to have lost what made him so dangerous in years gone by – his blistering pace.
With that in mind, Coufal’s latest comments really were very strange to hear…
Vladimir Coufal makes head-scratching Michail Antonio claim
The 31-year-old Czech Republic international was speaking to WHUFC.com after our draw with Burnley yesterday.
And he offered high words of praise for Antonio:
“Mick fought for every ball, he was running behind, and it was a pleasure to see. He’s one of the best strikers in the league in terms of speed and strength, and it’s great for him to return to form now with such a busy schedule ahead.”
I’m sorry but Antonio just isn’t anywhere near the best 10 strikers in the league when it comes to pace and power, not anymore.
Had the right-back made that claim two years ago, he would have had a valid point, there’s no denying that.
Micky has bagged just two goals and two assists in 19 games in all competitions for West Ham this season (Transfermarkt), and his old injury problems have returned with a vengeance.
Michail Antonio is nowhere near the player he once was, but it seems as though that fact has escaped Vladimir Coufal.
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