An awful lot of fuss is being made about West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui’s comments regarding Academy players, but as always, the devil is in the details.
Some seem to be hailing the Spaniard’s quotes as heralding a new era for the Hammers’ youngsters, with a clear pathway to first-team football. However, if one listens closely, it’s clear that while Lopetegui may be saying the right things, he is quite specific about Academy players filling the void in defence.
The Hammers head coach told reporters: “We lost Aguerd and didn’t sign another centre-back, which means we must look to the Academy players.”
Whilst it is heartening to hear the West Ham gaffer mention the Academy players, as always, the proof of the pudding will be in the tasting. In reality, Kaelan Casey is unlikely to see much first-team action, with the likes of Max Kilman, Dinos Mavropanos, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Edson Álvarez ahead of him.
If it sounds as if I’m being overly dismissive of Lopetegui’s claims, it’s because I have yet to see anything suggesting the Spaniard will be different from David Moyes in promoting youth. I would be overjoyed to see both Casey and Ollie Scarles on the bench against Fulham tomorrow, but the West Ham squad is so strong that it’s highly unlikely.
Then there’s the case of the £20 million signing of Brazilian wonderkid Luis Guilherme. The 18-year-old was unveiled as the Hammers’ first summer signing amidst much pomp and ceremony, but unfortunately, we’ve yet to see him kick a competitive ball in claret and blue.
Hopefully, my cynicism proves unfounded, and we’re about to enter an era of evolution where our undeniably talented young players are given a chance in the first team. But until then, I’ll remain cautious, particularly while the man in the Hammers’ hot seat is only on a two-year contract.
I hope he will give the youngsters some decent minutes in time, but it’s fair to say that integrating the new senior players is the priority. If we can get our best attackers starting at the same time and dominating games, it will provide opportunities for the youngsters. If we sit back and try to nick games 1-0, theres no hope for them! Would love to see Bowen, Kudus, Summerville and Paqueta all start tomorrow, with Alvarez and Soler/Rodriguez as well. Back 4 pretty much picks itself…COYI!!
I just don’t see academy players making it to premier league starter standard wherever it is that they go.
Rice is the clear single exception. Even Johnson was only considered by Ipswich on a free transfer.
There’s plenty of them in the lower leagues and they pop up and back down again with promoted clubs from time to time. But overwhelmingly they do not make the grade wherever they go.
Surely Soucek should be included among the C.B. options open to Lopetegui?
The first time as a young player that you come up against an experienced professional in a competitive scenario, is when you realise the difference between men and boys in this game. Timing and strength. When you look at the academy players, they look like boys and as such they need to be carefully managed as they transition to men. The team needs the bandwidth to be able to watch out for the younger players while doing their own job. Manage that transition wrongly and they could easily lose all confidence. Exceptions are rare.
I don’t know why Guilherme wasn’t sent out on loan after we bought him. I mean if he does play this season what kind of a message does it send to our academy lads that are older than Guilherme but have been sent out on loan.