Antonio gets the call from Big Sam
MICHAIL ANTONIO has been handed a shock England call-up as the only new face in Sam Allardyce’s first squad to face Slovakia on Sunday. The West Ham winger (below) is in a 23-man group that also includes Wayne Rooney, listed as a midfielder. Ross Barkley and Jack Wilshere miss out but Theo Walcott, Phil Jagielka and Danny Drinkwater are recalled for the World Cup qualifier. Marcus Rashford, Ryan Bertrand and retired James Milner are the only other players from England’s early exit at Euro 2016 not to feature in a squad whose average age has risen from 25 to 26. ‘He’s in outstanding form. He’s a terrific athlete, a good crosser and a goalscorer,’ Allardyce said of Antonio. Allardyce will work with the players for the first time at St George’s Park today.
MICHAIL ANTONIO was the shock inclusion in Sam Allardyce’s first squad yesterday as the manager ruthlessly axed two of England’s most technically gifted talents.
West Ham attacker Antonio has capped his breakthrough 12 months with his first call-up, but there was no room for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere or Everton forward Ross Barkley, who were both part of England’s Euro 2016 squad.
Antonio, who has burst on to the scene in spectacular fashion since arriving at Upton Park from Nottingham Forest in a £7million move last year, has a reputation as one of the most exciting wingers in England, though he has been forced to fill in at right back on occasion for the Hammers.
And his performances, which have included nine goals, persuaded Allardyce to hand Antonio, who rejected an approach from Jamaica last season, his first taste of international football.
Indeed, one Premier League manager has described Antonio as the creator of chaos in opposition defences because he plays with such unpredictability, a trait Allardyce wants to add to his new-look England squad as he prepares for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Slovakia. ‘I’m overwhelmed. I got slightly emotional when I found out,’ said Antonio yesterday. ‘It’s just one of those things that I’ve always dreamt of playing for England as a kid, so now for it to happen after I’ve worked my way from non-League to where I am now, I am just so happy.’ Allardyce (below) added: ‘I think he’s in outstanding form. This is another lad with a great journey — it’s a fantastic journey that he’s been on, from non-League to now an international call-up. He’s a terrific athlete, a good crosser and a goalscorer. ‘Hopefully we will have a good few days’ preparation and get to know each other on the basis of trying to go and win in Slovakia.’ There was shock at the omissions of Wilshere and Barkley as Allardyce named his first squad since being appointed as Roy Hodgson’s successor last month.
Barkley played regularly during England’s perfect qualification campaign for the European Championship, though he did not play a single minute in France.
Likewise, Hodgson viewed Wilshere as the key to his central midfield set-up for the tournament, but his plans were ruined after he suffered a serious ankle injury just days before the start of last season, a problem that resulted in the Arsenal star playing just 141 minutes of domestic football before Euro 2016.
Despite suffering a slight knee injury before the start of the current campaign, Wilshere has come on as a substitute in Arsenal’s last two Premier League games.
Left back Ryan Bertrand is another member of the Euro 2016 contingent who has missed out. Manchester United’s Luke Shaw comes in.
Marcus Rashford, who was one of few bright spots for England during the Euros, was confirmed in Gareth Southgate’s Under 21 squad last week, while James Milner has retired from England duty.
Milner’s midfield position has been taken by Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater, who was preferred ahead of Fabian Delph, while the attacking role freed up by Rashford’s demotion has seen Arsenal’s Theo Walcott recalled.
Everton central defender Phil Jagielka returns after missing out on France 2016, though Burnley’s Michael Keane and Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson will continue to be monitored.
Wayne Rooney has been listed under the midfield category which is likely to indicate where the England boss will play the Manchester United skipper.