Michail Antonio has signed a new deal with West Ham until 2023 (Getty Images)
Back in July 2018, a report from the Sky Sports claimed Crystal Palace were interested in signing Michail Antonio, as West Ham were willing to listen to offers for the midfielder. However, a move didn’t happen and the 29-year-old stayed put at West Ham.
Michail Antonio enjoyed a decent 2018/19 campaign with the Hammers, contributing with six goals and four assists in 33 league games. Those numbers should be enough for Crystal Palace to renew their interest in the Wandsworth-born star.
Crystal Palace have struggled for goals under Roy Hodgson in the past two seasons. Christian Benteke endured a highly frustrating 2018/19 campaign, managing only one goal in 16 league games. Benteke’s recurrent problems saw Hodgson bring in Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Batshuayi made a stellar impact at the Selhurst Park, quickly endearing himself to the fans with five goals in 11 appearances. But the big Belgian will return back to Chelsea after the Blues’ appeal against a two-window transfer ban was rejected. That’s set to worry Hodgson, whose side huffed and puffed their way toward survival this past season.
The acquisition of a new forward in the summer has to be a priority for Hodgson to continue his good work at the club and Michail Antonio will be an ideal signing for the Eagles. Antonio has been a consistent supplier of goals and assists for West Ham ever since joining from Nottingham Forest in 2015.
The only concern has been his fitness, with the 29-year-old failing to keep himself away from injuries in the first three campaigns with the Hammers. But this season has seen a massive improvement in the fitness level of Antonio, who became a crucial cog in West Ham’s attack in Pellegrini’s first season at the club following Andriy Yarmolenko’s injury.
Antonio’s pace, power, directness and ability to play on either flank or up front on his own could give Crystal Palace a much-needed option in attack. Also, his versatility to slot in as a wing-back when required could give Hodgson an alternative in defence as well.
It’s clear Palace need another attacker to back-up Wilfred Zaha and Andros Townsend next season. Antonio could just be that player, as he has already entered his peak years and will give the Eagles a different flair going forward.
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Hodgson would solve his goal-scoring woes to some extent with the addition of Antonio in the upcoming transfer window and he should do so without any second thoughts.