18-year-old Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly was on the receiving end of West Ham’s 5-1 FA Youth Cup win against the Gunners back in April 2023.
There was nothing particularly exceptional about Lewis-Skelly in that game, thanks to the dominance of a Hammers team expertly led by captain Gideon Kodua.
People’s personal choices for man of the match on that evening varied, of course, with Earthy, Marshall, and Casey all performing brilliantly. Even Gooners fans in attendance would likely concede that all the best players on show were wearing claret and blue (technically, it was a black kit with pink speckles on the sleeves, but let’s not ruin the moment).
Exceptional talent
The Hammers’ development squad had come off the back of an exceptional season, with many predicting the talented crop would go on to achieve great things. There certainly wasn’t a youth coach in the land who would have suggested the Hammers boys were overhyped—they proved as much the following season, both domestically and in European Under-21 competitions.
The talent of West Ham’s youngsters was undeniable, with many representing and even captaining England at youth level. Unfortunately, there was just one problem: they were at West Ham.
Despite the moniker “The Academy of Football,” West Ham are anything but. The crest and motto might be emblazoned on the carpet covering the London Stadium running track, but it’s a meaningless pledge unsupported by real player development.
That’s not a criticism of the excellent academy staff, who more than do their part, but rather of those in charge at the top.
Lopetegui meets academy star George Earthy in pre-season publicity stunt
Neglect of West Ham’s young stars
Only recently, Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui revealed he had been tasked with three main objectives upon joining the club: 1) change the playing style, 2) win more games, and 3) integrate nine new signings brought in from outside the club.
Notably absent was any instruction to promote West Ham’s outstanding youth players. While Lopetegui was keen to give Sky Sports an insight into his mandated tasks, there was no talk about a pathway for academy graduates—they weren’t even mentioned.
So, quite what West Ham’s FA Youth Cup winners thought when they saw Lewis-Skelly start a Champions League game for Arsenal this week is anyone’s guess. The 18-year-old was, in fact, playing his third Champions League game for the Gooners this season and looked excellent. He’s far from the only one, either.
Because Arsenal aren’t afraid to give their youth players a chance—and neither are Liverpool, Manchester City, or most other Premier League clubs. Apparently, West Ham know better, though.
This week, Lewis Orford scored as the Hammers’ youngsters beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1 in the Premier League International Cup. Orford was exceptional, as is usually the case, and he was recently handed the England Under-19 captaincy on his DEBUT. Incredible.
Orford led West Ham’s comeback on Tuesday
Orford is a West Ham fan from a family of Hammers supporters and, in my opinion, far better suited to Premier League football than Guido Rodríguez, who’s reportedly keen on a return to La Liga. Unfortunately for Orford, being good at football and wanting to play won’t be enough to dislodge the journeyman free transfer from the matchday squad. Sad eh?
Keep an eye on Orford though—I think he’ll make it. Sadly, he’ll likely have to leave the club he loves to do so. There is always Arsenal, they do like to give youth a chance and after all, they have more West Ham academy graduates in their first team than we do.
Say, for the game against Bournemouth with Emerson suspended, there is no mention of Scarles being on the bench with a likelihood of playing. This is not a winning argument I know, but it is the reason for my personal lack of conviction that the youngsters are considered & trusted.There is a difference between the U21s in athleticism with full-blown professionals training at what is a very high level nowadays, but that too is a question of time and taking precautions (not playing full 90mins, play to feet. etc). I still recall Mubama who must be a fair old size, coming on with Fabianski hoofing the ball towards him and 2 international CHs marking him.
Yup every word, currently there is no point in even having the academy.
Earthy. Casey, Marshall, Orford. Any of those could yet still play for West Ham. A bit premature to say they won’t.
To be fair Moyes also played some of the youngsters in Europe, unfortunately the current manager doesn’t have that luxury
without meaning to be disrespectful to the article or the comments but just my own remarks on the article’s comparison , did we not also play quite a few of our youth squad during the group stages in the 3 years of our european campaigns ? ? to be fair , in my limited awareness in recent times of other premier league clubs progressing their youths into the main starting line-up , i can only recall lampwick at chelsea trying to do this on a large scale and he promptly got the tin tack ! ! !
Jeff we did, play youngsters a couple of years ago but, if I may interpret what I think Gonzo was highlighting , that youth squad minutes under LOPETEGUI are abysmal. Moyes was bad but yes he did give them time in the UEFA C’league.
When did you become so bitter.we may be having a poor season but gonzo all you do is write negative articles. Very sad what you have become in the last year or so
Could not agree more with all the comments. They bring a lot of energy, endeavour , willingness, skill, speed, winning mentality and ability – what is there not to like? Plus as WHF No. 32 says, they bring a different mentality along with them.
There is a disconnect between qualities taught at the academy and our current/prev managers. It should be an obligation that the next manager does integrate youngsters especially when they are this good. Keep bringing them along and we’ll ahve a few Sakas playing for WHU! We have enough talented players to form the backbone of future WHU teams. Said it before, but I’m a bit ashamed of our club & the mindset re. youngsters. Seems to be meaningless words and empty gestures.
This really makes me angry. The club has no money to buy players so play the same old slow players week in week out, dishing up poor performances for the supports nearly every week yet NO youth team players get a look in. We also have a 25k buy who never plays. This is enough for me for Lopy to be sacked. GET RID OF HIM NOW SULIVAN and get your hands out of your deep pockets.
Lopetegui and Sullivan need to be replaced in order for Westham to properly modernize . Westham will remain in this purgatory until this happens .
Been saying this since Moyes was in charge. When we were getting hammered last season where were the youth. Absolutely no sign of the kids . The same again this season nothing has changed still getting old players coming for a last big paycheque. Academy what is the point !!!
I totally agree that youth should get a chance, but not under a manager who was leaving, senior players who knew he was leaving and whilst we were getting hammered week in week out. That would not have been healthy for them.
One of the big criticisms of Moyes also. Why is there such a big mental block on it? They honestly cannot do worse than some of the first team regulars at present. Yet, zero chance as they aren’t even making the bench most of the time. Scarles is the obvious choice as a sub. He’s skilful, primarily plays left back but is versatile enough to play midfield too. He’s also far quicker than Cresswell and has a future beyond this season and can only get better, unlike Cresswell, Rodriguez etc.
Yet our academy graduates don’t make the grade wherever it is that they go, it’s not just with us that they don’t make it. They can be found throughout the lower leagues.
That’s sound about right, us fans have been saying for years give the young and up coming youngsters a go in the team. Again this is to do with them in the boardroom again picking wrong managers.
I totally agree. I can’t understand why we can’t get any of our youth players into the team. It was kinda the same under Moyes who said that no Premier league teams player teeenagers… Will we ever get i a manger or head coach which is willing to promote the academy players to the first team and play them? Again, how do they gain the experience if they don’t play or how do we know if they will cut it if they are not given a run in the team.
Great article Gonzo.
That is why I want Potter or Carrick, who has come through out academy. They are the only managers who will give our youth a chance.
Get another foreign manager and we may as well shut our academy down, as it is currently a Dead End to any youngsters hoping to make it in the professional game.
Like D said below, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all play with academy players and all have foreign coaches.
It’s not the nationality that is the issue. It’s the fact Sullivan keeps choosing outdated old school appointments.
We need a young dynamic coach like Hoeness and Will Stil who both have impressive CV’s compared to Potter and Carrick.
How Lewis Orford doesn’t even make the squad is beyond belief considering our lack of a youthful player that is mobile.
Rodriguez has rightly been dropped but still comes off the bench which is a woeful coach still preferring a player he wanted from La Liga.
Considering how he said he would give our youngsters a chance, Orford and our Brazil kid don’t get a look in. The Leicester and Wolves games were ideal to give them opportunities against weak opposition.
Our coach is desperate, stubborn and a fraud.
A rare excellent article Gonzo.
What’s happened to George Earthy?He played the last home game last season against Luton Town and had a good game and scored and now this season zilch,nadir.
Apparently George played very well for Bristol City against Sunderland in their last game
Doh! Didn’t know he’d gone on loan
It’s why I hope Potter comes in, he is the most likely of the managers to promote youth, there are some big egos in the team, whether that’s great for a change in philosophy on the pitch is debatable, promoting hungry younger players is one way to address that.
That’s a very fair point mate
29% win ratio – De Zerbi and Hurzeler have proved why Potter is not missed by Brighton season ticket holders I know.
Totally agree that we are wasting our youth you have to give them a chance even if they make mistakes it is the only way learn.
I watched the very first practice matches at the start of the season and the kid Gideon Kodua was playing now whilst I couldn’t work out what position he was supposed to be playing and there was a bit of the headless chicken about him. His sheer energy and willingness to put himself about and some ability could be worked on and channeled into a good player. But like the others he has just been left and given no chance. Whilst our manager picks Rodriguez or ings to play. Whoever our new manager is or will be needs to have some sort plan that guarantees these players a chance. Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea do so and look how successful they are…….
Just to comment on “The Academy of Football” I think this derives from the 50’s early 60’s when we had lots of players who went on to manage top clubs – John Bond, Frank O’Farrell , Malcolm Allison and Dave Sexton initially, come to mind . Just a bit before my time, but not a lot ! 😁