It’s a pretty big claim to make: Mr West Ham himself, Mark Noble, club icon and personification of all things claret and blue, spent his whole career as a Hammer.
“Nobes” went from academy graduate to first team regular to Captain to legend – and he’s now the club’s sporting director. Having witnessed his first goal from the stands just behind the posts in an FA Cup tie in 2007, his potential was clear to everyone around me that day.
He went on to make 550 appearances and score 62 goals in an eighteen year West Ham career.
And almost two decades later it seems West Ham have another incredible young midfield talent on their hands at just fourteen years of age – who is being likened to ‘Mr West Ham’ himself.
Teenager Ivan Batista made his debut for West Ham’s U18s this weekend – at just fourteen years of age – and did himself proud in the Hammers’ three – nil victory against Birmingham City. Various social media accounts from supporters who watched his performance claim he’s a strong attacking midfielder in the style of Nobes himself. (Thanks to @risingballers).
A name to remember for the future.