Midfielder overlooked despite stunning start to the season
Michail Antonio admits he is “upset” with England manager Gareth Southgate after his decision not to call up James Ward-Prowse.
The former Southampton midfielder has hit the ground running since a £30m move to West Ham in August.
Ward-Prowse has scored two goals while registering seven assists in just ten appearances for the Hammers as they show signs of promise in life without Declan Rice.
Southgate, however, opted not to select the 28-year-old for England’s games against Australia and Italy.
The Three Lions boss has been criticised for selecting Jordan Henderson following his controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq. Henderson was booed by sections of the support at Wembley on Friday night and Southgate criticised the reaction.
Kalvin Phillips is another whose repeated selection is cause for debate. The 27-year-old has barely played for Manchester City since a £42m move from Leeds last summer but continues to feature heavily under Southgate.
Ward-Prowse has eleven caps for his country, the last of which came during a drab Nations League clash against Italy at Molineux last summer.
Teammate Antonio believes the midfielder was unfortunate to have been overlooked, telling The Footballer’s Football Podcast: “I am upset with Southgate.
“The stats say that Ward-Prowse is doing everything week in week out to play for England so it is mad he has not been picked.
“I think that when you are playing at your best you should be rewarded and for me that is England. He has been unbelievable.
“I understand managers like to pick players they trust, but he has got players in there who are not even playing. I do not like that.”
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