West Ham United captain Mark Noble has delivered his verdict on losing Domingos Quina to Watford.
Quina came with a big reputation when he was snapped up by West Ham after previous spells in the youth academies at both Benfica and Chelsea.
Footage from development team matches often backed up the ‘wonderkid’ tag attributed to the youngster.
Goals from long range and audacious skill were Quina’s trademark.
West Ham sold Quina to Watford for just £1 million
He found his way into the West Ham first team squad on occasion under both Slaven Bilic and David Moyes.
But the 19-year-old failed to impress when the chance came.
Quina was linked with Barcelona in the summer (Sky Sports) before ending up at Vicarage Road in a deadline day deal worth just £1 million.
That shocked Hammers fans who felt it was typical of their club not to command a decent transfer fee.
Quina scored a superb long range goal on his debut for Watford against Reading in the league cup.
But he had to wait until Monday night at Everton to earn his full Premier League bow.
Portuguese youngster has impressed for Watford
And this time he didn’t disappoint with a superb, mature display at Goodison Park to help Watford secure a 2-2 draw in a game they were unfortunate not to win.
He has kept his place in the side since leading to the obvious questions being asked of the West Ham hierarchy.
Given Manuel Pellegrini’s penchant for developing youth it comes as even more of a surprise that Quina was allowed to leave.
Young Issa Diop and Declan rice are two of the first names on Pellegrini’s team sheet each week.
Academy graduate Grady Diangana has also been given his big first team chance by Pellegrini this season and has impressed.
‘He’s a good player… I’m happy for him’
Then there Quina’s fellow young Portuguese starlet Xande Silva. The striker was called up to the West Ham first team for the 2-0 win at Fulham last time out.
And now Hammers skipper Mark Noble has delivered his verdict on Quina’s ability and departure in his column with The Evening Standard.
“I see that Domingos Quina, who joined Watford from our club last summer, has been in their team for the last couple of matches and done well,” Noble said.
“He used to train with us regularly last season and technically he’s a good player so I’m pleased for him.”
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