Steve Potts has sent a clear message to David Moyes not to forget an U21 star with one appearance for West Ham’s first team.
There has been a lot of talk of West Ham’s academy stars of late and David Moyes’ use of them – or lack of it.
Much of that has centered around young striker Divin Mubama given his contract Hammers contract impasse.
But West Ham have several other talented young stars emerging as evidenced by last season’s FA Youth Cup triumph.
As the self-styled Academy of Football there is always a focus on talent emerging at West Ham.
The Academy of Football
Last week West Ham academy graduate Joe Cole urged the club’s owners to invest heavily in that side of the club.
There was a big focus on Mubama and fellow young striker Callum Marshall when West Ham beat Colchester United 4-0 in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy last night.
Other players who shone included Lewis Orford and Dan Chesters who were both in West Ham’s squad for the Europa League win in Serbia last week.
But the Hammers’ Under 21 lead coach has sent a timely reminder to the first team manager about his man of the match.
Potts’ clear message to Moyes not to forget Casey
Steve Potts sent a clear message to Moyes not to forget U21 star with one appearance for West Ham’s first team.
Young centre-back Kaelan Casey, who has been with West Ham since he was five-years-old, has made one appearance for the Hammers under Moyes – in Europe.
The 18-year-old is a centre-back but can also play in central midfield.
Casey shone in the middle of a back three for West Ham in the Colchester win. So much so he was picked out for special praise by Potts.
“Every player has got to keep on pushing on because you can’t afford to stand still,” Potts told West Ham’s official website.
“You’ve got to keep on improving…
U21 coach raves about defender
“I thought Kaelan Casey was very good. He had a lot of the ball and had to find the passes when we had it at the back.
“When we didn’t have it, because I had asked them to go and play 2v2 at the back, I thought he read the danger really well and dealt with it.
“He is a young lad, but this is the great thing about this competition, that senior players are getting that chance and I thought he handled it really well.”
With veteran Angelo Ogbonna likely in his last season with the Hammers, Thilo Kehrer reportedly being made available for sale and doubts over Nayef Aguerd’s consistency and performance levels – it is a great time for the club to have a young, quality centre-back emerging.
Whether he gets more first team opportunities only Moyes can decide.
But Potts’ glowing reference will only help Casey’s case.
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