Notwithstanding the first team’s European triumph, our U21s had an amazing year.
They finished top of the league as well as winning the FA Youth Cup and, as a result, proved the whole point of having an Academy by nurturing some fine young footballers
Step forward the 20-year old Dan Chesters who seems to have come of age as a right wing-back and looked great in pre-season.
Much has been made of the David Moyes decision to let various players go but in fairness he explained room had to made for those coming through and he has not been proved wrong.
The likes of Chester, Divin Mubama and Ollie Scarles prove the point conclusively and Chesters seems very happy with his own development at the back.
Young Chesters explained to the West Ham official site: “I think it’s a really good position for me,”
“It lets me express myself and get into 1v1s with the opposition full-back so I can show my skills and attack them.
“You have that time and space to take players on, a lot of influence on the game as you see a lot of the ball, more of the ball than when you are on the wing.”
It seems to be working as the U21 team have started as they left off last season with four wins in a row row.
Last season, he had his first taste of playing in the first XI, making two appearances under David Moyes and he is no doubt keen to have more chances.
We are in a good place at the moment, the first team doing well and some exciting prospects waiting to come through.