Demba Ba says West Ham have one of the best around in their academy as the ex Hammers striker lauds a true star in Kevin Keen.
What a week it has been for West Ham United Football Club.
After the roaring comeback to draw with Arsenal, West Ham came from behind again to thrash Gent and set up another European semi-final.
The Hammers then smashed Bournemouth 4-0 last time out to take a big step towards Premier League safety.
With the first team on the up again, last night confirmed the future is bright for West Ham too.
In fact the future is claret and blue.
Hammers gun down Arsenal to taste FA Youth Cup glory
The Hammers’ Under 18s side – who recently won their league at a canter – smashed Arsenal 5-1 at the Emirates to lift the prestigious FA Youth Cup.
A 7,000-strong Claret and Blue Army – what a fanbase by the way! – saw Kevin Keen’s young talents batter Jack Wilshere’s Gunners in a memorable final.
And captain Gideon Kodua scored the goal of the night when he lobbed the Arsenal goalkeeper from 40 yards out.
The resounding win made it 101 goals for the young Hammers in just 30 matches during a historic campaign.
A new golden generation for West Ham?
It could yet get better still too with a third trophy up for grabs next month. That’s when West Ham take on Manchester City in the U18 Premier League national final.
It was the first time West Ham have won the trophy since the famous West Ham academy side of 1999. That team contained the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick. So let’s hope a few gems from the current crop make it as first team stars.
The likes of Kodua, Divin Mubama, Oliver Scarles, Callum Marshall and George Earthy – to name just a few – have been tipped to be future stars for West Ham.
Demba Ba says West Ham have one of the best around in their academy as ex Hammers striker lauds true star Kevin Keen
But the true star is the man threading it all together – Keen.
That’s according to one former player.
Demba Ba says West Ham have one of the best around in their academy as the ex Hammers striker lauds true star Keen.
Taking to Twitter, Ba said Keen is an absolute first class youth coach.
“Kevin Keen… One if the best development coach(es),” Ba said along with a Hammers emoji.
“Congratulations.”
That’s class from our former striker Ba.
It speaks volumes that Ba holds Keen in such high regard despite being at West Ham for a short spell.
West Ham must cherish Keen and ensure the club keeps hold of him if vultures start to circle – as was rumoured earlier this season.
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