Every cloud has a silver lining so the expression goes, and Michail Antonio's red card following two yellows picked up during the draw against Watford might just be a case in point. Antonio Conte's Chelsea are closing in on a title triumph in his debut season in England, and need just 29 points from their remaining 12 games to be sure of lifting the Premier League trophy, they are clear favourites and also highly tipped to get a result tonight. Conte is a huge admirer of West Ham's Mikael Antonio and has 'tested the water' (polite expression for tapping up!) about a possible summer transfer that might see Michy Batshuayi move in the opposite direction.
South London born England star Antonio arrived at West Ham via Nottingham Forest for £7million back in 2015 and has been a revelation, his journey has not been an easy one which is possibly why he shows so much commitment with his performances in the claret and blue. Starting at Tooting and Mitcham, Antonio then went to AFC Wimbledon, they didn't want to pay his £7 registration fee, then he went to QPR on a six week trial which didn't work out, before eventually 'trialling' at Brentford. Within three months he went back to Mitcham and signed a short term contract, before Reading came in for him. From Reading, Antonio endured subsequent loan spells back at Tooting and Mitcham, Cheltenham Town, Southampton, Colchester United and Sheffield Wednesday before eventually moving to Hillsborough on a permanent deal. He joined Nottingham Forest two years later, before finally ending up at West Ham United.
West Ham host Chelsea at The London Stadium with the kick off scheduled for 8pm on Monday, March 6th although kick off may be slightly delayed due to increased security checks on the way in, best advice is to arrive as early as possible in order to 'soak up' the atmosphere of what will be an energy charged evening, especially if the last fixture involving both clubs is anything to go by! - Ed
