Longelo a big hit with Birmingham

By Hughie Southon

West Ham’s Emmanuel Longelo is proving a big hit with the Birmingham City faithful following his move to the midlands.

The left wing back looked outstanding on his one and only appearance under Moyes against Dinamo Zagreb in last season’s Europa Cup but then was given no further chances to impress

Instead, the manager went out and bought Emerson as a back-up to Aaron Cresswell when he had the chance to introduce yet another academy prospect groomed under the man responsible for Declan and Ben Johnson’s breakthrough, former academy director Terry Westley

Emmanuel has now made 10 appearances for the Blues and scored one goal with local pundits claiming the St Andrew’s club have “seemingly stuck gold with Emmanuel Longelo at left-wing back rendering Norwich City’s Przemysław Placheta’s possible involvement come January limited.”

By cutting short the Polish player’s loan deal will allow the young Hammer to make a really serious impression with many Hammers fans believing he was a natural to become a first team player at the London Stadium.