Two top West Ham kids join Portugal squad

Two top West Ham kids join Portugal squad by Hughie Southon

On top of the 22 senior players who have travelled to Portugal for a warm weather break before the Europa Conference League Final an June 7 are two academy players – striker Divin Mubama and midfielder Freddie Potts,

Divin Mubama and Freddie Potts have joined up with with David Moyes senior squad for warm weather training in Portugal.

Divin Mubama is one of two top West Ham kids who have joined up with the senior squad

The full squad is published below but it is great to see the two lads clearly now on the very edge of first team squad membership next season and the academy really showing its new teeth.

Most of us have seen enough of Divin to believe this lad is ready to step up and challenge the likes of Mikey Antonio. Danny Ings and Gianluca Scamacca for a first team starting spot.

Because of the Europa Conference League rules, West Ham could name at least one academy player in the matchday squad to face Fiorentina in the final, with 23 players permitted and only a maximum of 22 senior players likely to be involved due to Scamacca’s injury.

While the Hammers have eight more days to prepare for the final, Fiorentina’s Serie A campaign does not finish until Friday night, when they head to Sassuolo which must give the Hammers a real advantage.

Going into that game, Fiorentina sit ninth in the table, behind Monza in eighth on head-to-head record. Should Fiorentina win against Sassuolo and Monza drops points away at Atalanta, Fiorentina will end the season in eighth, just shy of a European finish which is granted for top-seven clubs only.