If Josh Ajala wants to earn himself a new contract, and a potential shot at the first-team, at West Ham United, well he is going about things in the right way.
A month on from Fabrizio Romano’s bombshell claim that Ajala had held talks with clubs in France and Germany – the teenager is due to become a free-agent in the summer – his performances at Under-21 level have gone up a notch or two.
In 18 matches for West Ham United’s reserves this season, he has scored ten goals. Two of those came on Tuesday night in Tamworth.
Fortunately, Fabrizio Romano was very wrong…
What should the next steps for Josh Ajala be at West Ham?
West Ham will now face Boreham Wood in the National League Cup final. One year after his brace secured Premier League Cup glory for the Under-18s, it was another Ajala double which puts another piece of youth-team silverware within reach.
Speaking after lashing in the first and walking in the second after the Tamworth goalkeeper had trudged up the other end in a desperate attempt to score a last-gasp equaliser, Ajala hoped the West Ham fans are willing to make that 20 mile trip to Meadow Park when the final rolls around.
As for the supporters, they just want Josh Ajala to stay put.
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West Ham United fans urge the club to keep Josh Ajala amid French and German interest
Of course, West Ham can take matters into their own hands to an extent; By offering Ajala the chance to extend his contract, they will at least give the youngster something to think about.
Then again, with Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe ahead of him in the pecking order and decisions to be made regarding Callum Wilson, Callum Marshall and potentially more striker signings, does Ajala see a pathway for himself in East London?
Former Under-21 teammate Emeka Adiele completed the surprise move to FC Utrecht on deadline day in pursuit of immediate senior action. Plenty of supporters would understand if Ajala made the same call.
“If he ain’t going to get into the first-team, he will try somewhere else. Wouldn’t you?” one Hammers News reader writes on our Facebook page.
“Germany has an excellent track record for young Brits,” another points out, highlighting the likes of Jadon Sancho, Reiss Nelson, Jamie Gittens, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ademola Lookman and the Bellingham brothers, Jude and Jobe.
“Watched him all season and fair chunk of [that Tamworth clash],” a further fan writes. “In my opinion, he’s lightweight at the moment. He can finish, but his decision making isn’t brilliant.”
“However, I’d like him to get a chance on loan, then see how he does.”
“We need to keep our youngsters and play them more in the first-team.”
“Can’t let him leave. He needs to start playing in the first-team. Amazing player, future star.”
Nuno Espirito Santo is happy to give youth a chance as Ezra Mayers makes his mark
Marcus Browne is in the form of his LIFE! ⚽ 🤩
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It should be said that Nuno Espirito Santo has often made a point of how much he wants to bring through the next generation.
Nuno handed full debuts to Mohamadou Kante and Keiber Lamadrid in the FA Cup last week. And, to his credit, when the Hammers were in need of a left-footer to step into their backline, Nuno tended to give Ezra Mayers the minutes which could have gone to Igor Julio.
“Give him a contract that would entice him to stay with us,” one of our TalkingPoints users argues. “Just don’t let [David] Sullivan or [Karren] Brady anywhere near the contract.
“Ensure him he is one for the future to build around and he will learn loads off Wilson and the other attackers we now have in abundance at West Ham.”
“Tell him he is part of the future of West Ham. There are too many kids that slip away into oblivion. Senior players should play their part with encouragement.”
“We keep losing top-class youngsters. What the hell are the owners doing? Please go Sullivan and Brady, for God’s sake.”
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