Should these three West Ham stars have been included in Roy Hodgson’s England squad?

Slaven Bilic has nurtured several home-grown players for West Ham in his first season in English football, as well as giving the famous Boleyn Ground the perfect send off with an exhilarating 3-2 win over Manchester United. 

Roy Hodgson’s recent preliminary squad announcement has however somewhat overlooked some of the Irons’ stand-out players in defence, midfield and attack.

With the form of selected players such as Fabian Delph, John Stones and even captain Wayne Rooney questioned throughout this season, we have compiled three West Ham starlets that arguably could replace them.

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Michail Antonio

After signing on 1 September 2015 for a reported £7 million from championship side Nottingham Forest, the 26-year-old winger began the season in his preferred attacking role, before being shifted to right full-back following Karl Jenkinson’s significant knee injury in January against Manchester City.

Since then, the ex-Southampton man has finished the season with eleven goals and four assists in all competitions. Some eight of those converted chances were important Premier League goals, including two winners in 1-0 home victories against Sunderland and London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Antonio has further showcased his utility skills throughout the latter stages of this year’s Premier League campaign. With only one defensive error and 51% of duels won in his 26 appearances, the converted full-back has become a resilient force at the heart of the Hammers’ formidable defence.

An alternative for the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a squad player in Roy Hodgson’s 23-man selection, Michail Antonio offers all the qualities needed in an attacking aerial threat as well as a defensive unit with the pace and strength to hold off quick and agile European wingers.

The former Championship player; backed by his Croatian manager, even turned down the opportunity to play for Jamaica with the hope that his consistent form during the 2015/16 season in a somewhat unfamiliar position would
be enough to secure him a seat on the plane to France.