Antonio a surprise call-up in Allardyce's 1st squad as England manager
Michail Antonio's journey from non-league football to international football is complete.
On Sunday, Sam Allardyce named a 23-man squad for England's first 2018 World Cup qualifier, handing Antonio a first-ever call-up to the Three Lions to continue the versatile Englishman's meteoric rise. The announcement marked Big Sam's first squad since he was appointed as the national team's manager in July.
England kicks off its 2018 World Cup qualifying adventure away to Slovakia on Sept. 4.
📝 @OfficialBigSam names his first #ThreeLions squad, with a debut call-up for @WestHamUtd winger @Michailantonio. pic.twitter.com/TbEeMzBzEA
— England (@England) August 28, 2016
It was only in December of last year when Antonio's career turned a corner. Labelled as a "missing person" because of a lack of first-team chances and an online faux pas by David Gold, West Ham's co-owner, the product of Tooting & Mitcham United scored his first goal for the Hammers. Then he scored seven more before the end of the 2015-16 Premier League season.
In August, Antonio then entered the history books, scoring West Ham's first-ever Premier League goal at the London Stadium.
8 - Michail Antonio has scored a league-high eight headed goals in the Premier League since the start of 2015-16. Leap.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 28, 2016
"I think he's in outstanding form," Allardyce said. "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 scored nine goals in his first season and he's a terrific athlete, a good crosser, and a goal-scorer.
"I'm looking forward to him coming, and looking forward to meeting everybody. 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."
🎥 @OfficialBigSam tells FATV why he's named @Michailantonio in his first #ThreeLions squad https://t.co/oLzWvJvKxC
— England (@England) August 28, 2016
Antonio was quick to express his excitement at being called up for international duty, taking to Twitter and writing: "Delighted to get my first England call up!"
Elsewhere, four other changes were made from the squad that Roy Hodgson summoned for Euro 2016. Luke Shaw, Phil Jagielka, Danny Drinkwater, and Theo Walcott all made Allardyce's list, while Mark Noble,Marcus Rashford, James Milner, Jack Wilshere, and Ryan Bertrand failed to make the cut.
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Delle Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)