Well, at least one West Ham United centre-back has proven he can handle a multi-million Premier League frontline, with Kaelan Casey ‘outstanding’ during Swansea’s EFL Cup clash with Manchester City.
That is more than can be said for the defenders currently at Nuno Espirito Santo’s disposal.
Five days after Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo lumbered at Leeds – set-pieces and crosses the problem once again as West Ham United lost a seventh Premier League game in nine – 21-year-old Kaelan Casey made what was only a fourth senior start.
Against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, no less.
Now, as the praise of the Jack Army faithful continues to ring in his ears – a few Swansea fans likened Casey to Marc Guehi, the former loanee-turned-Crystal Palace captain – that alone goes some way to explaining how the England Under-20 international performed on the biggest test of his professional credentials.
At full-time, though, Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan provided a more detailed breakdown into the role he handed to Casey pre-match, and how the Brentwood-born West Ham academy graduate handled the occasion so impressively.
Swansea boss Alan Sheehan labels West Ham United loanee Kaelan Casey ‘outstanding’
Sheehan has exclusively used a back-four in league action this season. But in an attempt to hold off Manchester City’s fearsome, if Erling Haaland-less frontline, he switched things up and opted for a back-five on Tuesday night.
This meant that Casey, the club’s nominal third-choice behind Ben Cabango and Cameron Burgess, was given the chance to step in and make his mark.
Lining up on the right of that defensive trio, nobody made more clearances than him [14]. In a West Ham team clearly lacking physicality and a defender capable of dominating the penalty box aerially, 2023 Youth Cup winner Casey might just have a role to play at his parent club, and sooner than expected.
“[He was] outstanding,” a proud Sheehan said, his team exiting the Carabao Cup with their heads held high.
“Kaelan, when we’ve needed him, he’s come in and has been excellent. His attitude every day… [He and the rest of the back-up players] train properly, they support their teammates, and when they get their opportunity, they are ready to go.”
Casey impresses against Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush and Jeremy Doku
Casey was up against a City attack which cost Pep Guardiola an eye-watering £150 million. Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb lined up behind Omar Marmoush. Phil Foden, the 2023 Premier League Player of the Year, also stepped off the bench shortly before £60 million Marmoush put the visitors ahead for the first time in the 77th minute.
“I think if we went to a [back] four, they would have stretched us with those inside runs, with the athleticism and the quality that they have. So we wanted to be more of a back-five,” Sheehan adds, offering an insight into his tactical plan and how Casey’s performance helped make it work.
“We knew, if they had three in the top line, one [of our defenders] would have to jump [and press high]. And that was Ishe [Samuels Smith] tonight at moments, it was Casey at times.
“I thought they were wonderful.”
Youth Cup winner wants more game time at Swansea
Presuming Sheehan reverts to his usual four-man system when Swansea travel to Charlton Athletic on Saturday, Casey may find himself back on the bench.
But should Cabango or Burgess be unavailable for whatever reason, and with a gruelling festive fixture schedule approaching, a man with only 22 minutes of Championship action under his belt has at least earned his manager’s trust.
“I think we can be proud, even though we don’t get the result,” Casey said at full-time. “We started well and got the goal, but City do what they do, they own you in and it becomes very difficult to get out.
“We defended well as a group but it just wasn’t to be in the end.
“It was great to be involved. I am learning so much every day working with the likes of [fellow defenders] Cam Burgess and Ben Cabango, and I hope I can get more chances in the future.”
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