Why selling Michail Antonio makes sense for new look West Ham
It can be hard to accept that some players must move on. However in this case, I think that Michail Antonio should be sold by West Ham.
When he was signed by West Ham, Antonio was seen as a big of a unpolished gem. Someone who could improve with time surrounded by the better players. Whilst he has become a more refined player in Claret and Blue, selling him now would make sense for the summer to really revolutionise the Hammers.
Crystal Palace are said to be interested, but playing it slow for the time being, but they wouldn’t be the only team willing to take him for around 15-20m. He’s a powerful player that could inject a lot into most sides, either in the starting XI or from the bench. So why should the Hammers sell?
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Masterplan
It’s clear from the signings made this summer that Pellegrini has a vision for the side. He’s not picking players based on stats, those who have good Physical/Pace ratings on FIFA or the like. He wants players who can play interchangeably with each other, and are comfortable on the ball. As much as I like Antonio, he is a player with a single object in mind every time. Get past the man and get a ball into the box. Fine from time to time, but not if your whole team is geared up another way.
In Arnautovic, Yarmolenko and Anderson, Pellegrini has amassed a talented forward three. They can play across all positions in attack, and their interplay will likely be a huge part of the Chilean’s plans. Antonio hasn’t shown himself to have the footballing intelligence to do the same. It seems that formerly out of favour Snodgrass is more the player Pellegrini wants.
Plus, in the youth teams we have players waiting for their chance. Nathan Holland, Saed Haksabanovic and Martin Samuelsen are more technical players who we could see making a step up into the first team’s wide roles. So, in my view Antonio should be sold if we are to see Pellegrini’s masterplan come to fruition. It will allow space for growth and development of the entire club.