Thomas’ article for The Athletic [20 September] detailed how Antonio, 34, has now gone seven games without a goal and has shown a “decline in his offensive efficiency” after being persisted with as Lopetegui’s first-choice striker.
This is despite the fact the club brought in Niclas Fullkrug for £27m, and back-up frontman Danny Ings salvaged a point at Fulham last week when Antonio was hooked at interval.
Thomas said: “Against Fulham, it was not hard to read Lopetegui’s dismay at Antonio’s failure to test goalkeeper Bernd Leno or the defensive duo of Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey. The result was Antonio being withdrawn at half-time.
“West Ham have previously considered the 34-year-old to be their first-choice forward, but the decline in his offensive efficiency is a concern. He has not scored in his last seven league games.
This is despite the fact the club brought in Niclas Fullkrug for £27m, and back-up frontman Danny Ings salvaged a point at Fulham last week when Antonio was hooked at interval.
Thomas said: “Against Fulham, it was not hard to read Lopetegui’s dismay at Antonio’s failure to test goalkeeper Bernd Leno or the defensive duo of Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey. The result was Antonio being withdrawn at half-time.
“West Ham have previously considered the 34-year-old to be their first-choice forward, but the decline in his offensive efficiency is a concern. He has not scored in his last seven league games.
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