A forgotten man West Ham signed last summer has been spotted in training with the first team ahead of the European clash against Silkeborg.
There were high hopes when West Ham signed promising young defensive midfielder Pierre Ekwah Elimby from Chelsea last summer.
The Hammers announced the signing of the now 20-year-old – who can also play in defence – on a three-year deal, with the option for a further year (whufc.com).
Ekwah spent two weeks on trial with West Ham, featuring in the U23s’ final two Premier League 2 Division 1 matches of the 2020/21 season – both against Arsenal – scoring in the latter.
Described as a powerful, left-footed defensive midfielder capable of dropping into the back line, Ekwah said he was delighted to be continuing his development at West Ham and the Academy of Football after turning down a new contract with Chelsea.
But he has barely been seen in any West Ham first team squads since, despite David Moyes’ lack of options there during a mammoth season last term.
Buy could the France youth international be set for some action with the Hammers on Thursday night?
Because the forgotten man West Ham signed last summer has been spotted in training with the first team ahead of the European clash against Silkeborg.
In a video posted on social media by West Ham, Ekwah can be seen laughing with fellow central midfielder Conor Coventry as the Hammers train at Rush Green ahead of the match.
Ekwah features heavily in the footage, doing sprinting drills alongside the likes of Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals.
And he looks sharp when doing a first time volleyed pass and move drill with Michail Antonio.
Ekwah is near the front in some running drills and is heard being very vocal in a keep-ball session too.
With Moyes claiming Lucas Paqueta will not be considered for the Silkeborg game and the manager tending to try and protect Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek where he can in Europe, could it be that Ekwah is in line for a surprise start?
It seems he will at least be set for a place on the bench in a game which – should it yield a minimum of a point – will confirm West Ham as group winners and their place in the Europa Conference League last 16 in March.