Michail Antonio names ‘magical’ Chelsea legend the best he’s faced; labels maverick West Ham star as greatest teammate

Steve Pearson 30 Sep 2022 8:48 AM

A Chelsea forward who could “beat two or three or four people and put it in the top corner” is the best player Michail Antonio has faced, and the West Ham striker also named his greatest teammate.

Antonio, 32, goes down in the category of players who have only gotten better with age. The West Ham striker operated in deeper roles earlier in his career, even playing at wing-back for a time.

However, the latter portion of his playing days have seen him transition into a line-leading centre forward. Both he and West Ham have benefitted greatly from the positional change.

He now faces competition for his place from summer recruit Gianluca Scamacca. However, when both are fit, it is Antonio’s shirt.

The Hammers have limped out of the gate this season and will hope the upcoming fixture run will kickstart their season.

Antonio in particular will be hoping for a moment of magic or two in front of goal with winnable games against Wolves, Fulham and Southampton upcoming.

Now, speaking to Goal’s Simply the Best YouTube show, Antonio termed a Chelsea legend “magical” amid naming him the best player he’s ever faced.

Chelsea legend “magical” and “amazing” – Michail Antonio

“The best player I’ve played against? I would have to say [Eden] Hazard,” said Antonio.

“Magical, he could create a goal out of anything, beat two or three or four people and put it in the top corner – amazing.”

Hazard’s career has stalled since leaving Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid. However, his place in Chelsea’s folklore is more than secured.

Hazard’s tally at Chelsea upon leaving stood at 110 goals and 92 assists in 352 appearances.

The Belgian won four Chelsea Player of the Season awards during his spell and helped fire them to two Premier League titles. Hazard was also named Premier League Player of the Year for the 2014-15 campaign.

Best West Ham teammate?

From a West Ham perspective, Antonio was asked who’s been his greatest teammate.

Antonio was in no doubt when naming maverick French playmaker, Dimitri Payet.

“The best player I’ve played with is Dimitri Payet,” he says. “The guy was magic, to be fair.”

“He could create a goal out of nothing or get a free-kick… and score it as well.”

Payet’s time in the capital was a brief one, lasting just 18 months.

However, he was near-unplayable at times in his only full season as a Hammer, winning their Player of the Season award and making the Premier League team of the season in 2015-16.