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Sonny Perkins has the potential to shine at West Ham

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West Ham United’s U23s moved up to second in the Premier League 2 table with a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur U23s on Monday evening.

Up and coming striker Sonny Perkins impressed again with a goal and an assist as the young Hammers emerged victorious. 

The 18-year-old has been in scintillating form this season and appears to be next in the pipeline at the London Stadium.

Earlier in the campaign, ExWHUemployee lauded the teenager’s talents on an episode of ‘The West Ham Way’ podcast as he netted in England U18s 3-0 win over Russia in October:

“This is someone I’ve spoken about on the podcast before as a talent, and he’s really beginning to stand out now at academy level, really getting rave reviews. Obviously performing on the international stage as well for his age, and he is one to keep an eye on.

“From what I’ve heard in the academy circles, he could be the next Declan Rice. So just keep your eye out for his progression within the next few years.”

He has bagged eight goals and contributed with one assist in 17 appearances in Premier League 2 this term and has emerged as a contender for the sparsely populated centre-forward position at first-team level. 

With Michail Antonio the only senior striker at the club, Perkins has been involved in ten of David Moyes’ matchday squads and has made three senior appearances including a first start in the Irons’ 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League. 

It is no secret that West Ham would like to sign another striker in the summer but the England U18 international has the ability to cut it in the side. 

Antonio has been struck with persistent injuries over the course of his career and the continued reliance on his availability across all domestic and European competitions has seen his form suffer, with the Jamaica international finding the net only twice in 2022.

Ever since the departure of Sebastien Haller, West Ham have failed to sign a new forward, so the Scottish boss has gone over a year without a new frontman, which is worrying.

Moyes would be wise to track the progress of the gifted youngster in the coming months and although a striker seems like a priority in the summer he must not stunt Perkins’ development as a player.

The £720k-rated frontman could be used by the 58-year-old Scot between now and the end of the season as the Hammers juggle European and domestic duties and it would be a great opportunity for the former Leyton Orient forward to showcase his talents and show exactly why he is the next big thing in east London. 

Perkins could well fill Moyes’ big problem at the London Stadium.

AND, in other news, West Ham eyeing bad-boy winger and former Europa League winner…

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