MICHAIL ANTONIO did not catch the World Cup Final - he was busy taking his children to Lapland for a pre-Christmas treat.
He did not watch a great deal of the rest of the tournament, either, save a few England games and a bit of Brazil, instead stepping back from football, enjoying a holiday in Dubai, time with his family and the rarity of a mid-season break.
But when the Premier League returns on Boxing Day, the forward is determined to do two things: win back his place as West Ham's centre-forward and fire the Hammers clear of a relegation scrap.
The break came at a good time for the Hammers, who are only a point clear of the drop-zone after winning just four League games this season, for all they cruised out of their Europa Conference League group stage with a perfect six from six.
"We were a bit up and down," Antonio says. "[The break] has given us an opportunity to work on our consistency, get back into the season and do what we know we can do: play like we have over the last couple of years and try to get our philosophy back.
Denne historien er fra December 22, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra December 22, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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