What West Ham have said about Sonny Perkins as teen striker is drafted into travelling squad by Hammers boss David Moyes.
So there is every chance Perkins could be included in the matchday squad as West Ham aim to seal top spot in Group H and with it progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.
Perkins can play as an attacking midfielder but has been used as a striker by West Ham and England this season. And he scored when playing as a forward in England’s 3-2 defeat to Holland earlier this month.
The talent is highly rated at West Ham – as evidenced by his call-up from Moyes.
But don’t take our word for it. Here is what West Ham have said about Perkins on the club’s official website.
“The attacking midfielder had been an east Londoner his whole life, growing up in Hackney and initially having his talents nurtured by Leyton Orient from just eight-years-old,” West Ham state on whufc.com.
“Fast forward another seven years, and the chance of a trial at the Academy of Football came up – an examination which Perkins passed with aplomb. Since then, Perkins has continued to shine in a variety of midfield roles, and sometimes even defence, for the Academy’s sides.
“As an U16 in 2019/20, Perkins’ talents three substitute appearances for Kevin Keen’s U18 side, leading to him penning his first scholarship deal with the club that summer.
“The midfielder also netted a hat-trick for England U16s in a UEFA Development Tournament game in February 2020 as the Young Lions beat the USA 4-1.
“The left-footed playmaker went on to score five goals in 28 games for the U18s in 2020/21, including a match-winning brace against Brighton & Hove Albion in October 2020.
“Having started the 2021/22 season with a hat-trick for the U18s in a 3-1 opening-day win at home to Reading, Perkins subsequently made his development squad debut as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the Papa John’s Trophy.”
He sounds an exciting talent indeed.
He will be hoping to emulate Chesters who made his Hammers debut at the end of the 3-0 Europa win over Genk at the London Stadium recently.