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‘Prized’ West Ham starlet hailed in Guardian’s top 20 list after England performance

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The Guardian has lauded West Ham’s 16-year-old Airidas Golambeckis as a top prospect for the next generation amid praise for his recent performance for England U18 against Ukraine this past weekend. 

The Hammers’ academy product has been praised as a top prospect after his scintillating start to the season which has seen him called up to England’s U18 side and named to The Guardian’s Top 20 Next Generation list.

He joins the likes of Arsenal’s Jack Porter, who recently made his first team debut in the side’s EFL Cup win against Bolton Wanderers, and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, being tipped as the best first-year scholars for Premier League sides this year.

Journalist Jacob Steinberg has praised the defender, stating that his ability on the ball means he could become a dynamic player in midfield for the Hammers in the future.

He wrote: “The teenager is regarded as a top prospect by academy staff at West Ham. Golambeckis is prized because of his elegant defending and his ease in possession should stand him in good stead given the growing importance of playing out from the back.

“It also makes central midfield an option for the 16-year-old, who made his debut for England Under-18s last month. He had previously represented Lithuania at youth level but his form for West Ham’s Under-18s last season has caught England’s eye.

“A measure of his progress is that he has already featured for West Ham Under-21s in Premier League 2.”

Hammer’s fans should be excited about Golamebeckis

The 16-year-old is known for his defensive capabilities and has played every minute for West Ham’s U18 side so far this season, bagging two goals and just one yellow card in 450 minutes on the pitch.

One factor that will get fans excited is that he is also skilled at playing with the ball, which will see him fit right into Julen Lopetegui’s possession and playing out from the back-based tactics if he eventually gets the nod from the Spanish manager.

Everything we have seen so far points to a promising future, he is well-established in the academy and has bags of international experience at his young age.

While we can get excited now, there is no reason to rush Golambeckis into the team. New signings Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo have looked impressive in their early appearances for the club.

Lopetegui should use this time to bed Golambeckis in and allow him to learn from his seniors. If the club allow him to ease in and pick up odd minutes here and there, they have a potentially world-class player on their books.

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