Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin believes that Michail Antonio deserves an opportunity at the international level with England. There have been rumours circulating that the West Ham striker has been considering switching his allegiance to Jamaica to boost his chances of playing at a world cup before retiring.
Gareth Southgate and Sam Allardyce have both selected Antonio in the past for different England squads. Unfortunately for the striker, the bench was the closest he has got to the hallowed turf of Wembley.
Austin believes that Antonio should still be considered for England duty after the terrific form he has shown in the past year. The Hammer has become a regular goal-threat for West Ham, most recently scoring in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City. Despite the goal not counting for much, many of Antonio’s goals have helped propel the club to the Premier League’s top four.
West Ham fans would love the opportunity to see Antonio play for England but will likely watch him from behind their sofas in case he is struck by injury.
The QPR forward sees Antonio as unique and ‘completely different’ to any other options Southgate has at his disposal. The 30-year-old combines both pace and strength and forms a powerful presence on the pitch.
"“He would be a long shot to get in the England side. But is he completely different to everyone else? I think so. As much as he is performing really well for West Ham and West Ham as a team are performing really well, he is just not unfortunately someone who comes to the front of your mind. I feel for him because he is performing. And we will soon see in March if Gareth Southgate picks him or not.”Charlie Austin on Antonio’s England place."
Hammers fans will remember Austin after the club’s transfer saga surrounding him. After QPR were relegated, Austin was on the wishlist of many Premier League teams. Fans wanted Austin, but David Sullivan’s infamous comments put him off the move to East London.
Sullivan suggested that Austin was so injury-prone that he “has no ligaments in his knee”. Safe to say Austin was rightly outraged and did not sign for West Ham. Instead, in January, he went to Southampton and has enjoyed a solid five more years of football.
West Ham have had a mixed history with players being called up for England duty. Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst are icons of the English game. However, the story of Dean Ashton will worry many fans. Antonio is already prone to hamstring injuries, and if he picked up a knock like Ashton, it could spell the end of his career.