
Michail Antonio snubs Marcus Rashford and names forgotten star as toughest opponent
Michail Antonio has claimed the player he struggled to cope with the most was former Swansea striker Mo Barrow, who is now playing in the second tier of South Korean football with Incheon United.
The ex- West Ham star was a prolific frontman during his time in London, but earlier in his career played as a right-back and a right-winger before converting to a striker. It meant Antonio previously had to do his fair share of defensive work.
His entire Premier League career was spent with the Hammers and he was tasked with containing the likes of Marcus Rashford and Eden Hazard, admitting that felt he'd "done well" when he had to keep them quiet.
But the player who had Antonio's number was Barrow, who made very little of an impression in England, but clearly left his mark on the Jamaican international. He recalled a game when he could do nothing to stop the Swansea man, who continued to cause havoc.
He the Beast Mode On podcast: "You know who ripped me the most? You wouldn't even know who he is. Mo Barrow. No one will know who he is. Swansea. I marked Martial, Hazard, Rashford, all these people and I done well. The one who ripped me the most was Mo Barrow.
"They won 3-0 all from him. One skill, you know when you drag it back, through my legs. The worst thing about is I stop there like 'oh s***, he got me' I didn't even chase back. He destroyed me and I was like Mo, out of all the people."
Barrow moved to England from Swedish side Ostersunds but scored just twice throughout his time with the Welsh outfit despite playing more than 50 games. He had several loan spells down to the Championship, having stints with Blackburn, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.
He would leave Swansea permanently to join Reading, before later leaving British shores and heading overseas. His spell in Wales though did land him the accolade of becoming Gambia's first Barclays Premier League footballer
Barrow previously said: "Where I lived in Gambia, there were a lot of poor people. There are a lot of kids that love to play football, but they don't have the help to be the players they want to be. Whenever I get the chance, I go back to Gambia. Sometimes I try and give money, but I believe more in going and seeing with my own eyes and helping than just giving money."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool handed another transfer boost as Adam Wharton makes decision on joining
Liverpool have splashed some serious cash this summer but they would still like to add Adam Wharton their squad if the Crystal Palace midfielder can be tempted to move Adam Wharton is set to shun interest from elsewhere to stay with Crystal Palace this season, leaving Liverpool in pole position to sign the midfield maestro next year. Wharton, 21, has adapted seamlessly to life in the Premier League since joining the Eagles from Blackburn Rovers last February. His stellar performances in a Palace shirt has already earned him plenty of admirers and both Liverpool and Tottenham would be interested in signing him this summer. However, the talented midfielder is leaning towards staying at Selhurst Park for at least another 12 months according to a new report. The Sun say that Wharton is ready to put a blockbuster transfer on hold until next year given he is happy at Palace. That would potentially give Liverpool an advantage over their rivals if Wharton moves next summer rather than imminently, given they have already spent close to £200million in the transfer window. The report goes on to add that Liverpool have been lining up a move for Wharton 'for some time' and remain keen on adding him to their squad, albeit they have prioritised strengthening in other areas. The Premier League champions are also in talks over a deal for Hugo Ekitike, the Eintracht Frankfurt striker, which could be worth €95million (£82.3m) in total if all add-ons are met. A new winger could also be required if Luis Diaz continues to push for a move away, hence their preference to pursue Wharton in 12 months time. Palace would also be loathe to lose Wharton this summer amid interest in some of their other top stars. Marc Guehi has entered the final 12 months of his contract and has also been linked heavily with Liverpool, who are expected to try and sign a centre back in the transfer window. Palace would risk losing the England star for free next summer if they do cannot cash in before the transfer window shuts or convince Guehi to sign an extension. Eberechi Eze is also in demand after another fine season for the Eagles, culminating in his winner in the FA Cup final. The attacking midfielder is believed to have emerged as a serious transfer target for Arsenal as they pursue quality additions to their squad in a bid to finally win the Premier League title next season. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
England defender Walker-Peters joins West Ham on free transfer
July 20 (Reuters) - England full-back Kyle Walker-Peters has signed a three-year contract with West Ham United after leaving Southampton, the Premier League club said on Sunday. Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate Walker-Peters made over 200 appearances for Southampton, 33 of which came in the Premier League last season when the south-coast club suffered the earliest-ever relegation in the competition's history. The 28-year-old also has two England caps, earning both of those in 2022. "It feels like it has been a long-time coming - I've been linked with a move to the club in the past - and I'm just happy to be here now," Walker-Peters said in a statement. "I spoke to (coach) Graham Potter and he was a big, big part of me making the decision. I've always liked his style as a coach, and I think it will suit me well." West Ham, who finished in 14th place last season, begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign on August 16 with a trip to Sunderland.


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
West Ham sign Walker-Peters on free transfer
West Ham have signed defender Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer following his departure from 28-year-old full-back, who has two England caps, has joined the Hammers on a three-year contract."He is a player I've always thought highly of and been impressed by whenever he has faced one of my teams," said West Ham manager Graham Potter."He has a really good pedigree, a top professional who has established himself as a respected Premier League player and still has his best years in front of him." Walker-Peters started his career at Tottenham and moved to Southampton on loan in January 2020 before making the switch permanent that made 202 appearances for Southampton but, after they were relegated from the Premier League last season, left following the expiry of his was on the verge of joining Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas, but the Turkish club said on Thursday they were no longer interested after Walker-Peters delayed his medical following interest from West Ham."I spoke to Graham Potter and he was a big, big part of me making the decision," said Walker-Peters. "I've always liked his style as a coach, and I think it will suit me well."Every team wants to win trophies and West Ham have that ambition. From speaking to Graham, he wants to create something special, and hopefully I can be a part of that."This summer West Ham have signed Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf for £19m from Slavia Prague and made defender Jean-Clair Todibo's loan move from Nice have sold winger Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham for £55m.