Whenever a team outperforms in the Premier League, like Leicester did in their title winning season, the media descends on the club and instantly speculates whether their home grown players should be selected for International competition. With Hammers doing so well, it was inevitable that their English contingent should come under the microscope sooner or later.
Michail Antonio's patience finally wore thin with Gareth Southgate, with the Hammers striker electing to play for Jamaica, the country of his parents birth instead of England. Mikey is not alone in being ignored by Southgate, Aaron Cresswell HAS played for England before and is arguably in the form of his life currently, yet the left back HAS been ignored by the England manager for the recent tournaments.
A few years ago Cresswell looked 'washed up', with many fans saying he was passed it and should be 'bounced' from their team, however under the guidance of David Moyes and his coaching staff, Cress has come on leaps and bounds and is a vital cog in Hammers first team.
Should Hammers fans be disappointed that Cresswell hasn't made the grade for Southgate? No No No!, they should be overjoyed that an essential element of their team is NOT risking injury playing inconsequential 'dead rubber' games, albeit for the national team.
Cresswell is a big boy now, he HAS already received his International call up years ago so he has NO need to have his ego massaged by being selected, that particular phase of his career has run it's course. Speaking of running, Cresswell's game is all about lung busting runs and the pin point accuracy of his corners and free kicks, he puts a shift in during EVERY single game and rarely has an off day.
At 31 years of age Cresswell is no spring chicken, so it is in a way a real break for the team that he hasn't been called up, Hammers need him an awful lot more than England do and with no like for like replacement on the club's books, keeping Cresswell fit is essential if the club is to maintain its upward trajectory.
Thanks Gareth, but No thanks, keep looking elsewhere for players, preferably from clubs that have enormous squads compared to West Ham's which is wafer thin. Hammers have a new crop of very talented young players coming through the Academy, let Southgate or his eventual successor 'gorge' on them instead!
Hopefully by the time that happens, Hammers will have established themselves as a genuine bona fide Top Four side. - Ed
Comments
Might be alone but......
I have always had faith in Aaron Cresswell, he never lost the ability to make a telling cross and I thought he was earlier on top form with Arthur just ahead of him. It can be argued we have a much better and indeed more balanced squad now than any time in the last 12-15 yrs and better than 2015/16 season where we relied heavily on Payet.
Certainly David Moyes has identified a role and utilised Aaron that suits both the player and those around him.
The current situation is testament to that and I for one fear an injury to Aaron, if anyone (other than Michail) deserved an England call up it is him! Southgates reluctance is certainly to our advantage .
Just imagine what its like
Just imagine what its like for him and many more players that think they are good enough to represent their country but deep in their hearts they no its proberbly to late ,at least Ant had other options, all we can do is hope he keeps knocking them in fo Jamaica and what will happen ,well usually, the press desends on St Southgate like a ton of bricks wanting to know why he never selected him .