2 Comments

Irons pride as eight Academy stars hit heights

westleyBig signs that the Academy has sprung into something of which we can be justifiably proud have appeared during international fortnight.

After promotion last season the growing list of young representatives of their various nations can be seen right across the Hammers squad.

And academy director Terry Westley declared: ““The number of international call-ups for Academy shows where we are at as a Club, scouting, coaching and developing outstanding young players who are among the very best in their country.

“If you are in the England U20 squad like Oxford and Trott, or a Portugal U20 squad that won the European U19 Championship last summer like Quina, you have got a pedigree of player there that we can be proud of.

“Rice and Cullen are important players for Ireland U21s, who have made a terrific start to their own European Championship qualifying group.

“We also have Nathan Holland, who was on standby for England U20s, Dan Kemp called up for the U19s and Anthony Scully playing in midfield for Ireland U19s.

“The status of our players continues to rise and, as an Academy and as a Club as a whole, this is very encouraging and an endorsement of the work we are doing here at West Ham United.”

Rice and Bolton Wanderers loanee Cullen are in the Republic of Ireland U21 squad for home Group 5 ties with Martin Samuelsen’s Norway on Thursday – who also host Germany in Drammen next Tuesday – and Israel in Dublin on Monday.

Nathan Trott and Reece Oxford, who is on loan at German club Borussia Moenchengladbach, are in the England U20 squad for friendly matches with Italy in Gorgonzola on Thursday and at home to Czech Republic next Tuesday.

 

It may not have been the greatest start at Premier League but things are looking very good  at our next level!

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

2 comments on “Irons pride as eight Academy stars hit heights

  1. I think the PR machine has kicked in again. Josh Cullen and Reece Burke are at Bolton who currently have 2 points at the bottom of the Championship. According to one of the stats sites Reece Oxford has yet to start a game this season at Borussia. These lads are decent players but I feel sorry for them and the other lads not getting anywhere near our first team.

  2. They should form part of a B team and play in the league like the spanish teams do, much better for their development than to be in some cases second choices at other clubs, I hope Parkinson gets it right at Bolton, he is a good manager but seems to have his work cut out changing their style of play.

Comments are closed.