West Ham United, also known as the Academy of Football is famous for producing players who have gone on to become vital players for clubs throughout their careers. Director of you development, Tony Carr, is one of the most influential people in football today, now he has been up to his old tricks again. But who will be the next big name on every fans lips?
Here are five players in the Development or youth squad, who I feel are will one day break into the first team at West Ham United.
Danny Potts
I strongly believe out of the young players coming through today, none of the fans will connect better with them, than they have with Dan Potts. Since he was given his debut on 17th December, last year in an impressive victory over Barnsley, he went on to make a further 3 appearances in the championship and got named ‘young player of the year’.
He is a player with great potential. Although his frame looks fragile, the lad is full of fight and grit and isn’t afraid to tussle with the big boys and prove he is capable of competing at the highest level. If West Ham brings him through the right way I believe his potential could take him far. He could turn out to be a player like Glen Johnson who had great potential but never quite reached It, or he could turn out to be Phillip Lahm or Maicon who throughout their careers went on to be known as a couple of the best right-backs in the 21st century.
Leo Chambers
At the age of 17 Leo Chambers has so far not made an appearance in the West Ham first team, however Big Sam clearly likes the look of him as he has been named as sub on a few occasions, ahead of first team players.
From what I have seen of him he could well become an effective member of the first team. As a centre back (his natural position) he performs pretty well, but because of his pace and power I feel he would be more beneficial as a centre midfield player or fullback. I understand that each of the positions I have named are completely different attributes to perform there, but his natural fitness and core ability, would help him develop the other techniques needed for them roles.
He is a confident lad, but not too cocky and understands that to make it as a footballer he has a long way to go. I think the way Big Sam has dealt with him so far is great, giving him the experience of what It feels like to be on the bench and have the fans singing around him, whilst at the same time having to deal with the feeling of being so close to playing but not for definite.
It will be interesting to see how he grows as a player and individual, but I strongly feel he has the foundations in place to blossom from.
George Moncur
George Moncur is a guy I’ve known since school days and he was always someone my friends would say is a good player when they have competed with or against him.
He is in the same boat as Dan Potts in terms of having to try and create a name for themselves, seeing as both of the their fathers have been and done it at West Ham United, now its their turn to grab hold of their chances.
George is your typical English centre midfield player, a terrior who will dig in deep like your Mark Nobles and Scott Parker. He is very capable of distributing the ball across the field and often helps dictate play from the centre.
Although he is certainly a good player, he is still missing a couple of ingrediants to become a first team regular in my opinion. He needs to look to Noble and base his style of play in a similar light to him (not completely) but enough to prove his worth.
The Premier League doesn’t go easy on youth players, just because they are young, they need to be ready to face it head on and mentally I feel George could well be on the verge, technically however he has a couple of tuning up to do and he will be on his way.
Elliot Lee
For some time now I have been excited by this young prospect. A proven goal-scorer at youth level he sure does have an eye for a goal, which is something the first team are lacking right now.
At the age of 17 he is still young and learning, but if you watch him play he looks like an established centre forward at times. He is strong and has a great sense of positioning, when I have seen him play he reminds me of a Mark Viduka or Grant Halt, as he has a great shot on him and can score with either foot and his head, something today not every striker is good at.
Although not many West Ham fans may have heard of him, due to a lot of the attention being on the 5th player I am going to talk about, Elliot will soon get his chance and I would happily put my life on the line for this one.
I have great belief he has what it takes, whether it be with us or not, or maybe a couple of seasons in the championship to establish himself further, One day he will make it.
Robert Hall
And finally, the name on a lot of fans lips who want to see him given a run out in the first team on a regular basis.
Robert Hall has been touted as the next best thing to come out of the academy since the Jermaine Defoe and Rio Ferdinand days. Hall is a player that has played at an international level at Under 16s all the way up to the Under 19s. He was a part of the winning England side at the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in Liechtenstein being a very influential player during the tournament.
He is a player blessed with an eye for goal and blistering pace and despite being such a well-tuned player at the age of 19, he still finds himself on the fringes of the West Ham first team. So far he has made 2 league appearances (once in the Championship, once in the Premier league) and 2 League cup appearances this year before he was sent on loan to Birmingham City.
Out of all of the young players coming through right now, without question Robert has the most pressure on his shoulders as everyone knows what he is capable of doing and expect him to deliver. I for one hope he does reach his potential and with the guidance of Big Sam and Tony Carr I can’t see him struggling to find his feet.
There you have it, five players I feel have the best chance of breaking into the Hammers first team.
COYI! Follow me on Twitter @JimboWHUFC77
