The internet has been abuzz this week with guessing and excitement about our new potential mystery signing, but I’ve got another mysterious player on my mind. During the Colchester pre-season game a player came on for West Ham who had the supporters around me well and truly perplexed.
He was good. Like, really good- but we had no idea who he was. Smart phones were consulted, neighbours were asked, programs scanned through – and eventually it was decided that he was Sebastian Lletget.
This rarely seen player put in a truly impressive performance in the game. He moved the ball incredibly well, was quick, strong, and his delivery of passes was pretty close to perfect. He absolutely dominated the midfield.
But who the heck is he? And why haven’t we seen this guy before?
A quick scout of the internet tells me he’s American (yay), just 20 years of age, and is “the first product of the West Ham United International Academy to have signed professional terms with the club.”
So far he’s only featured in pre-season games for the club (both this season and last), but did manage to make the bench for the FA Cup replay against Manchester United this season. In his player profile on whufc.com he’s referred to as “an attacking midfielder with outstanding technique,” and said technique certainly seemed to be on display at Colchester.
He started 24 U-21 games for West Ham last year, and has represented the United States at U-18 and U-23 levels, but hasn’t had a sniff at senior football yet. I’m interested to see if this season could be when he finally gets a chance to give Premier League football a try.
Have always been a fan of Lletget. Good flair and passing. Hopeful that he will make it to the first team.
A real talent. Hope Big Sam gives him the chance to develop further
I’d like to see him get a chance, but our midfield is already overcrowded with talent. In addition to our current midfield trio of Nolan, Noble & Diame, we have J.Cole, Collinson, Diarra, Morrison and new signing Danny Whitehead.
I can’t see him getting much of a sniff in the PL in the first half of this season. Like some of our other youngsters, such as Elliot Lee, Potts & Moncur, they need to be loaned out ASAP for first team experience.
morrison on the right lleget in the middle time for us to unleash.these players
wanted to see him in the first team last year im still not sure of sam doesn’t give youngsters a chance
I also have been aware of Seb for a while now and he is a talented prospect who seems to be delivering and on the verge of genuinely making the jump from Development to First team level football.
I hear so much of this “He is not Big Sam’s type of player!” nonsense. Do the same people making these comments realise why he was with the first team in the FIRST place???
Hopefully he does make his debut this season and I’d rather we had an embarrassment of riches than the odd few creative players.
Emily, I think he’ll do us (and you) proud!!!
This lad is a class act, of that there is no doubt. Its what we have been sorely missing of late…a young pair of legs to get around the park and speed the point of attack u, which at times is painfully slow and predictable.. Lets just pray that Allardyce doesn’t waste this talent at his disposal. Fingers crossed for Seb.
Some comments re Sam are just baffling, the idea that he wouldn’t play anyone who merits a place because he has some agenda against “young players” is just absurd.
As I have pointed out before, and will no doubt point out again IF HE’S GOOD ENOUGH, HE’LL PLAY – IF HE AINT THEN HE WONT – simples
Exactly.
My point entirely. In the letting go of players or players leaving of their own accord to try their luck elsewhere, Big Sam hasn’t been proved wrong yet. That in itself has got to say something about his judgement on players.
I saw him play at Colchester funnily enough last year for the development squad and he was in a different class then, saw him again this pre season and was raving before and after about him with my mates. They were all impressed, and I would love to see him get a go early doors, he deserves it.
If we leave it till mid to late season and we’re not doing particularly well he won’t be risked like dan potts, ollie lee et al, so get them in soon as and if it doesn’t work out go back to the tried and tested.
He’s quality, Southern California kid, same area as other really good US players like Landon Donovan and Eric Wynalda. I hope he gets time in the first team, for the sake of the US Nation team and WHU
Actually, he is from Northern California, San Francisco. He went on trial as a 13 year old. He amazed Tony Carr, who had him play with the U-16, and dominated. WH wanted to get him into the academy, but his parents were not ready to let him leave the States. I believe he went over as a 16 yo. Hoping he gets a chance, tough with Nolan and Morrison ahead of him.