If there is a crisis at West Ham with Max Kilman’s injury, the club are not panicking. Hopefully The Hammers’ ever-present this season will be fit again to play against Liverpool tomorrow, but the signs were not good as he left the field clutching his shoulder on Boxing Day.
Our source at the club has poured cold water on media suggestions that West Ham are planning to add another centre-back in January. This is comforting, as it suggest the injury to Kilman is not so bad – it also finally sends the message that West Ham’s Academy players appear to be rising in their standing at London stadium.
As Gonzo’s article states, the source confirms ‘we have a great Academy Central player’ ready to step up: Kaelan Casey has been no more than a bit part player so far, but many be about to see his career launch.
The Standard included him in an article entitled:”West Ham Youngsters Who Could Save the Club Millions In 2025” suggesting that he, along with George Earthy and Ollie Scarles are on the cusp of first team success:
” If Casey ever manages to become a fully-fledged first-team player for West Ham, it would mark a success for the club’s academy just as much as for Casey himself. After all, he joined the Hammers’ youth system when he was just five. The 20-year-old cites ex-Hammers captain Declan Rice as his idol, and is a versatile defender.”
Thestandard.co.uk recognises the youngster’s quality which Hammers fans all saw in Casey’s Premier League debut last season against Luton.
Kilman’s time sidelined can be an opportunity for Hammers’ latest bright young prospect: I cannot wait to see him grab it with both hands. Finally, it seems West Ham’s Academy players are indeed getting their ‘pathway’ to first team football to which Mark Noble aspired.
On average, I wonder how many Academy players who play for the U21s, then make in the premiereship? It would be interesting to know, in the hope that with a successful academy, we could at least meet that average.
But will they use them..¿?? We have been here before and they never seem to get a game …
What have we to lose …its a mid tsble season..so perfect to start the youngsters in a few games
It would be great to see some of the U21s starting to stake a claim as regular first team players. If it works out, it will be a real step up for them and the club. If they are around 20 years of age now then in 2-3 seasons they’ll be seasoned players at 23/24. Sign on a few good players where needed and we stand a real chance of progress and then let’s see how far this club can go and compete with the best. Right now, we are far off the mark