Ex England manager Glenn Hoddle says he would have personally selected Hammer Michail Antonio for England at the current European Championships.
Antonio was called up for the first time by England and named in the inaugural squad by new manager Sam Allardyce. Yet he was an unused substitute in the 2018 World Cup qualifier 1-0 triumph over Slovakia. Then he was included in Southgate’s 2017 squad to tackle Germany and face Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier, but he withdrew after picking up a hamstring injury.
Hoddle said: “I would have perhaps had a different style of striker. Maybe an Antonio, something that might just upset things, come on in the last ten or 15 minutes.
”Other than that I think he [Southgate] has covered most ground, I wouldn’t change too much.”
Antonio, whose ten goals and assists played a major part in helping guide West Ham through to Europa League next season, extended his contract with the London outfit until 2023 and he is raring to go despite his age.
The striker originally turned down approaches to represent Jamacia in 2016 but, according to Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts, the London-born player officially requested to represent Jamaica at international level in February. He is believed to be still waiting for his Jamaican passport to be processed.
I bet that the Scots were glad that they didn’t have to face Antonio this evening!
I make Hoddle right on this call.
Vardy chose not to play for England due to his age and so as to prolong his playing career at club level. Antonio might have got to play for England were it not for his age and regular injuries but particularly his most recent injury at the end of this past season.
Such a shame that Gareth Southgate is so complacent with his team selections and performances. Players like Jamie Vardy and Michail Antonio have absolutely no chance of being selected or showing what they could bring to the games. Strange that unknowns like Bellingham are being groomed to play the mediocre game for years to come. Theo Walcott got the same treatment from Sven. Never really excited though. Theo didn’t make much progress after 18 years old and his game at Arsenal never seemed to progress. Of course Gareth is too careful to make sure that he is above criticism and we have at least another 10 years of his ‘stewardship’. When he does step aside, it will be for the next man in the system to continue the comfortable set-up.
Oh what we could have seen over the last few years. We will never have a better chance of winning a World Cup than 2018. All opposition out or in trouble and we were struggling to beat anyone. Did just enough and despite our very best efforts lost to the once in a generation, all conquering, total football, Belgium. Abysmal.
England need a manager for today, playing today’s players. Not a nobody jobsworth thinking of all the other nobody jobsworths making up the FA and their schemes.
COYI