Pellegrini proves true to his word

Manuel Pellegrini made an immediate pledge when he arrived at the club after meeting Academy chief Terry Westley.

He promised that no young player would be sent out on loan until he had seen them in action and added that he wanted the youngsters much more involved with the first team squad.

Sometimes new bosses make all sort of promises and say the right things when they first find themselves in the job but such high ideals are often lost as time goes by.

Not this man. As I wrote the last story I realised that he was very much a man of his word given that he has taken Nathan Trott, Joseph Anang, Daniel Jinadu, Declan Rice, Reece Burke, Reece Oxford, Josh Cullen, Conor Coventry, Martin Samuelsen, Marcus Browne and Nathan Holland to the pre-season training camp.

He is clearly not going to leave any stone un-turned as he starts out on the – let’s face it –  the very tough job of revolutionising this Hammers set up.

Three new signings are through the door…on Monday it will be four should Jack Wilshere be announced as expected but that the academy is producing such a wealth of talent that he wants to see it all is the really exciting news for me.

Declan has arrived and expect Nathan Holland, Martin Samuelsen and Marcus Browne to make an impact this season but it’s the manager who really impresses.

He is clearly a guy who is as good as his word and on Sunday afternoon we will also see how fit this squad has really become over the last week when they play their first tour match against Winteruhr.

Last pre-season was horrifying as the squad wandered through games looking unfit and lethargic.

On Sunday afternoon – assuming the club manages to get the match aired live on Facebook as promised – we are all looking for something much much better.