Michail Antonio has been a loyal servant to West Ham United, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League and making a significant impact at the London Stadium.
However, there is a growing sentiment that the time may be right for the experienced forward to move on.
Antonio’s form has notably declined over the past season and into the current 2024/25 campaign. His performances have not matched the high standards he set in previous years, prompting the club to bring in German striker Niclas Füllkrug to enhance competition in attack.
Following Antonio’s latest outing for Jamaica, it appears that manager Julen Lopetegui might need to consider benching the forward in favour of Füllkrug.
The Reggae Boyz played to a 0-0 draw against Cuba, with Antonio at the centre of most attacking plays. Despite having two shots on target and one ruled offside, his influence was limited, as he managed only 26 touches and completed just 33% of his dribbles (Sofascore).
Antonio’s current struggles are not solely the result of recent form. Last season was particularly disappointing in terms of goal-scoring, with injuries contributing to his lacklustre performance.
Nevertheless, a player of his calibre should still have been able to score at least five goals over the season.
In contrast, Füllkrug, who was signed for £27 million, had a more productive campaign, netting 16 goals across all competitions for Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen, while also providing 10 assists. The German striker was acquired to bolster the Hammers’ attacking options alongside Crysencio Summerville.
With plenty of the season remaining, now seems the ideal time for Füllkrug to demonstrate to Lopetegui that he deserves a starting role.
His recent form and potential offer a compelling case for a shift in the starting XI, as West Ham seeks to revitalise its attack and achieve its season goals.