West Ham United have not just secured themselves an extremely promising ‘number nine’ in Josh Ajala, Academy Manager Kenny Brown explains as the teenager finally puts pen to paper on a new contract.
The former Chelsea youngster has been in ‘unplayable’ form in front of goal of late. He fired West Ham United’s Under-21s into the National League Cup final with a brace against Tamworth, and also has eight goal contributions in his last seven Premier League 2 appearances.
The relief was palpable, then, when Ajala committed his future to the Londoners on Friday. He signs a new deal until the summer of 2028, his old deal expiring in a matter of months.
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Speaking to the club’s official website, Brown is keen to point out that Josh Ajala is not merely a penalty-box poacher but something far more rounded.
Josh Ajala has the ‘attributes’ to make his mark at West Ham United
The academy manager spoke in glowing terms about the 19-year-old’s movement, intelligence and decision-making; three attributes which ensure Ajala is ‘up there with the very best’ in the country at reserve team level.
“It shows Josh’s mentality and how bright he is,” Brown says, understandably delighted to have tied down Ajala after West Ham lost Elisha Sowunmi to Tottenham and Emeka Adiele to Utrecht a few weeks ago.
“[Ajala] doesn’t get into physical battles when he doesn’t need to. He pulls off shoulders, finds space and gets on the ball again and again.
“He doesn’t just receive the ball in forward areas, he maintains possession and is progressive with it. He wants to be facing goal as soon as he receives the ball. His retention of the ball and his end product are up there with the very best.
“I think what you’ve seen is him developing as a footballer. He’s not just a number nine now. He can play across any of the front three positions and he’s got all the attributes; his work rate, his finishing with both feet, and he’s still going to grow physically too.”
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Ajala’s qualities can be summed up best by the thumping strike he scored to set the Hammers on their way to a National League Cup final meeting with Boreham Wood on March 17th. While supposedly a right-footer, he shifted the ball onto his left and blasted an unstoppable shot into the net.
To quote U21 teammate Preston Fearon, this was a ‘magic’ moment from West Ham’s teenage wizard.
Having featured among the substitutes for February’s 1-0 win at Burton Albion, Ajala will be hoping to be involved again on Monday night. Fellow youngsters Mohamadou Kante and Ezra Mayers may get minutes against Brentford in the FA Cup fifth round, while Keiber Lamadrid could also be in the squad.
“I’m sure Josh will continue to be involved around the first team, working alongside senior players where the levels really jump. I have no doubt he’ll adapt to that and it’s exciting,” adds Brown.
“This is the place for Josh to thrive and develop, and we’re all looking forward to seeing what’s to come.”
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