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Wils 4:22 Thu Feb 25
Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Michail Antonio set to switch allegiance from England to Jamaica in bid to play at 2022 World Cup
Exclusive: Antonio will hope to fire Jamaica into the 2022 World Cup
Michail Antonio's chances of breaking into the England squad are tough CREDIT: Shutterstock
Michail Antonio is set to switch his international allegiance from England after an approach to be part of Jamaica’s qualification campaign for the World Cup.
The West Ham United forward, 30, has been part of England squads under Gareth Southgate and Sam Allardyce but did not make his debut. The Jamaica Football Federation want Antonio to be included when they start CONCACAF qualifiers in September against Mexico and Costa Rica.
Jamaica previously tried to secure Antonio in 2016 before he chose to concentrate on England, but he will now have the chance to get them to Qatar next year under head coach Theodore Whitmore.
His form for West Ham this season has helped them get into the Champions League places, with six goals in 14 starts under David Moyes, who has used him as a striker. He has also secured a long-term contract at the club until 2023.
Southgate has brought Dominic Calvert-Lewin into his squad this season and is also assessing whether to recall Jamie Vardy for the European Championships in four months’ time, making a recall unlikely for Antonio.
Jamaica have moved to secure his international future and it is understood Antonio is set to accept their approach. They have friendlies next month during the international break but September’s qualifiers is when Antonio could start with them.
The “Reggae Boyz” reached the 1998 finals where they finished third in their group and had the likes of Robbie Earle, Marcus Gayle and Frank Sinclair in their squad and Whitmore scoring their goals in the win over Japan.
In the current squad, Ravel Morrison has switched to Jamaica after playing for England youth teams and Fulham’s Bobby Decordova-Reid is among their players from the Premier League.
Antonio’s first England call-up came in Allardyce’s only squad of his reign. He was picked by Southgate for his first squad in charge, then withdrew through injury in the matches against Germany and Lithuania in March 2017
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/02/25/michail-antonio-set-switch-allegiance-england-jamaica-bid-play/
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Replies - In Chronological Order ( Show Newest Messages First)
Mr Kenzo
4:25 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Good Luck to him
It won't be so much "Cool Ridings" more like "Torn Hamstrings"
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Rossal
4:28 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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He'd be in my 23 for England
I think he is much better coming off the bench than DCL, Ings or Abrahams. No one will start over Kane, all about your best squad not players
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Darby_
4:30 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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He really deserves an England cap.
Hopefully this news will encourage Southgate to give him a chance.
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Sven Roeder
4:32 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Southgate lacks the imagination to pick him so wouldnt blame him if he took the chance to play in a World Cup,
As long as it involved minimal qualification appearances & international retirement when its over.
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ludo21
4:36 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Antonio offers something no other striker does so he would be a worthy squad addition for England to change things off the bench.
Southgate won't risk it with his hamstrings though.
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Stevethehammer
4:41 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Southgate won't risk him because he doesn't play for one of the 'top clubs'
Usually dross will be called up
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Pub Bigot
4:53 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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He'd 100% be in my England 23. He's in form, he's different to what we already have and offers us versatility. I have several issues with Southgate, one of which he falls into the trap of picking players based on clubs and not form (something which escapes the media) and so fully expect Antonio to be ignored.
Our forward four should be Kane, Antonio, Calvert-Lewin and Ings.
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Lee Trundle
5:01 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Vardy will go, I reckon.
Kane
Vardy
Calvert-Lewin
BAMFORD and Ings would probably think they have a chance for the remaining spot, and possibly Watkins.
Age and hamstrings will stop Antonio being talked about as a contender from non WHU supporters.
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Pub Bigot
5:10 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Vardy's retired, Lee.
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Lee Trundle
5:11 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Yeah, I know.
A phone call from Southgate would immediately change that, IMO.
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Lee Trundle
5:15 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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And I forgot about Rashford and, to a lesser point, Greenwood!
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geoffpikey
5:18 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Not particularly good news cramming his hamstrings into plane seats for Jamaica games. But don't blame him.
Can't see Southgate picking him either. Same reasons as Dawson. In form maybe, but "inconsistent" (over a long time), unfashionable club, getting on a bit...
Half of me wants to see as many Hammers in the England squad as possible. Other half would prefer they're just left out as we'll win sod all anyway and the squad is full of wankers like Grealish and Kane and dullards like Henderson and Dier.
Spectre of Deano says: fuck England.
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El Scorchio
5:36 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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100% back him on this. He's never getting a chance for England so why the fuck not explore other options? He'll be a shoe in for their centre forward position and if they make it, it'll be great to see him at the World Cup.
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BRANDED
5:37 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Waa Gwaaan?
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HAMMERNH
5:48 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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It sipple out deh!
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charlie paynter
5:51 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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Good luck to him. Pity, I'd have loved to see him play for England.
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⚒️
5:59 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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As long as he travels first class so that he can stretch out, good luck to him.
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Dandy Lyon
6:03 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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He shouldn’t be anywhere near England squad and suggestions otherwise are pathetic
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Lily Hammer
6:04 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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I would not begrudge him switching, though I’d love to see him turn out for England. He’d probably enjoy himself more with the Reggae Boys, and I’d instantly take an interest in how they do in the qualifiers.
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Robson
6:17 Thu Feb 25
Re: Ya mon, Antonio's Jamaican.
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As much as I disagree with the concept of flip-flopping your nationality willy-nilly to suit your circumstances, I am not saddened by this possibility. It will be good to have another team to cheer on after England get knocked out in the group stages (which they will because they don't select West Ham players).
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