Nathan Holland “needs to be involved” in West Ham’s first team plans this season, according to The Athletic journalist Roshane Thomas.
The 21-year-old has been in fine form for the U23s so far this term, and Thomas is in no doubt that he deserves his shot with Manuel Pellegrini’s senior side.
Writing during a Q&A for The Athletic, he said: “I went to the U23s recent game against Wolfsburg B on Wednesday and Holland was a constant threat!
“He needs to be involved with the first-team.
“In the last 20 mins of a game he is definitely more than capable of providing some sort of contribution.”
OPINION
It’s hard to argue with Thomas on this one. At the end of the day, Holland is 21 now, and has been involved with 12 goals already this season, hitting seven goals and assisting five more in the Premier League 2. All of that points to him deserving his chance at senior football. If Pellegrini has kept him around and prevented him from going out on loan then you would like to think that he has a reason for doing so, but as of yet, there is nothing to suggest that the Chilean has any interest in offering him a place in his Premier League squad. If you factor in West Ham’s early dismissal from the Carabao Cup, then it’s not easy to see where first team opportunities are going to come from, but one thing is painfully clear – if things don’t change soon then Holland has to be sent out on loan in January.
