When Nuno Espirito Santo informed West Ham United that he planned to make full use of one of the Premier League’s most prosperous academies, he was not merely telling the supporters what they wanted to hear.
Nuno immediately got the Hammers fans onside when he handed Freddie Potts a return to the first-team stage in that 1-1 draw at Everton.
Since then, Nuno has handed Callum Marshall a Premier League debut, while the ‘fantastic’ Potts shone on his first start against Newcastle during last week’s 3-1 victory.
George Earthy could have a role under Nuno, too. When confirming that Earthy had suffered a hamstring injury a month ago – one the stylish attacking midfielder has since recovered from – the West Ham United boss talked up the importance of fully utilising the club’s next generation.
Potts, Marshall, Earthy and co are not only heralds of a brighter future. They are potential solutions in the present, too.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Burnley, meanwhile, teenage centre-backs Ezra Mayers and Airidas Golambeckis were spotted training with the first-team at Rush Green. There is no guarantee that either 18-year-old will be part of the starting XI this weekend – let alone a potential debutant – but Konstantinos Mavropanos’ ongoing injury issues leave the door ajar.
Mohamadou Kante could also be seen, looking as imposing and as broad-shouldered alongside Jarrod Bowen and co as he does at Under-21 level.
West Ham United fans delighted to see Airidas Golambeckis and Mohamadou Kante in training
Mayers, Golambeckis and Kante have all signed new contracts over the last two weeks, alongside prolific Scottish starlet Josh Landers.
Golambeckis emulated Declan Rice while captaining West Ham at Under-21 before his 18th birthday. Mayers is a modern, technically-gifted left-footer who could potentially take the place of Igor Julio when the Brazilian’s loan deal comes to an end.
Academy Manager Kenny Brown says Kante is a ‘modern Premier League midfielder’ in waiting, meanwhile. West Ham’s fizzing Frenchman earned Patrick Vieira comparisons following a debut reserve-team goal against Woking which showcased his formidable blend of dynamism and dexterity.
While a senior bow could come too soon for the trio against Burnley, the Hammers fans are just happy to see they have a manager willing to build for the future.
“This is great,” one fan wrote after seeing Mayers, Golambeckis and Kante given their chance in front of Nuno. “They deserve it and it pushes the overpaid lazy squad players to look over their shoulders.”
“This is the whole purpose of academy football to produce players for the first-team,” another points out. The Under-21s would have probably won their game in the week with these three players [a 1-1 draw with Wolves], but that is not the priority
“[This will] be a great experience for them before they are integrated next year.”
“Nuno is talking the talk and walking the walk.”
“Golambeckis is the one, believe me. The boy is an exceptional talent.”
Mark Noble talks up Golambeckis’ chances under Nuno Espirito Santo
Their Lithuanian/English central defender may be the cream of this current Chadwell Heath crop. After seeing him sign a new deal this week, sporting director Mark Noble talked up Golambeckis’ chances of forcing his way into the first-team set-up.
“We identified how good he was pretty quickly, and the fact he played in the FA Youth Cup as a schoolboy is a great indicator on his potential,” said Noble, another who skippered his beloved Hammers at youth level.
“[Golambeckis] is a great kid and a top player. Being captain of our Under-21s team at such a young age is a real honour, but he’s still got loads to learn. He’s another one that we’ve got real high hopes for. We would like to see him in our first team squad soon and I really believe he’s got a chance.”
Nuno explains his message to West Ham youngsters
Finlay Herrick is also training with Nuno’s squad after West Ham surprisingly re-called the goalkeeper from his loan spell at Boreham Wood.
“Four players of our academy are working every day with us; Finlay, Airidas, Ezra, and Mo,” Nuno said on Thursday. “This is the best space that all academy players have is to play alongside and to train alongside professional and talented players.
“You don’t have to tell [the youngsters] anything. You just say, ‘look at him [a senior player]. Try to reproduce what you see in him’.
“‘Airidas, look at our centre-halves’ experience. And midfielders, look at [our] midfielders. This is how I look at the academy.
“Can we bring players and develop them? Maybe it’s not for now, but maybe in one year’s time we are talking about having more numbers of academy players in our squad.”
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