Mark Noble will adopt a father figure approach to looking after Declan Rice and Grady Diangana after two of our hottest youth properties both signed deals with the club.
That the Hammers are spending big money on established players whilst signing up the best of the the academy prospects shows the extent to which this club is growing.
That – to quote one of Manuel Pellegrini’s favourite expressions – it’s a clear demonstration that we are acting like the ‘big club’ he regularly preaches we are do and that things are set fair for the future.
Rice of course was a monster signing and Diang shows every sign of becoming a top player over the next few years but Noble will ensure that neither of them get carried away with themselves as they continue their Hammers progress.
Nobes himself has cone through the system and knows exactly what treatment the need as a result – they are in good hands.
The skipper said: ““Of course, I have a role as captain and as an experienced player not to ever let the younger ones get carried away.
“They are young men and are both 20, so it’s a little bit different to myself, as I was playing first-team football at 17 and had played a lot of games by then.
“They are both 20, so they are not as young as I was, but I know what they are going through and, knowing them both as I do, I am sure they both have what it takes to play in the Premier League.”