Much of the noise surrounding the future of West Ham midfielder Lewis Orford is pure speculation. The young Hammers academy graduate and England Under-18 captain has a year left on his contract and was yesterday linked with a part-exchange move to Aston Villa.
However, there is one very clear message that can be sent to all relevant parties by the man in charge of the team itself, Julen Lopetegui.
If West Ham’s new head coach selects Orford to start the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, it will send a huge signal of intent. Moreover, if he features again against Crystal Palace the following weekend, the signal becomes a statement of intent.
Orford’s selection will send a resounding notification to the player himself that he is rated by the gaffer and part of his plans. It would also be a most unsubtle and foghorn-like blast to the club to get the player’s contractual situation sorted.
Competition for places in the Hammers’ midfield is fierce, with Andy Irving and Freddie Potts pushing Orford for his spot. Factor in James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek, and soon-to-be-returning Lucas Paqueta ahead of the Palace game, and the Hammers have a strong contingent.
The statement in selecting Orford to start among such a talented group of players would be huge. In many respects, the club would be forced into action, and that would be no bad thing at all.
So while I’ll be knocking back the caffeine ahead of Saturday’s late show, I’ll be watching Lopetegui’s starting line-up with great interest because it could contain more meaning more than we think.
Don’t worry about Midnight kick off, I will watch Sunday afternoon on YouTube for free COYI
I’ll watch it for free on my IPTV channels
Ah thanks i knew the CP game was 12am but looking at my TV app thing that has all the football it says 7pm so 2pm local?
Isn’t the Wolves game a 7pm KO?
Local time
Sorry so it’s 12 midnight our time
I don’t think starting Orford in a friendly match would mean anything. After all, we gave the likes of Ashby, Ngakia, Ekwah etc. friendly starts and it made no difference.
The only meaningful signal of intent would be offering him a new contract that he and his agent felt reflected his worth and progression.
My guess: no Duran, no Mazraoui, Ings at the sharp end v Villa. Twas ever thus.
Are you suggesting that Lopetgui is at odds with Steidten’s offer to Villa for Duran?
Reading between the lines – as you are oft wont to do yourself – that appears to be a worrying division within the management ranks.
On the other hand, a certain proportion of the official squad has to be home grown, so it is a balancing act. It is noticeable that many of the home grown players mentioned in the blizzard of guesses about who is going to be bought have quickly fallen by the wayside, leaving the cheaper foreigners in play. It’s not a good look, IMO.
In all honesty i have never seen the Lad play so have no idea of his ability as a footballer and rely on the words others who have seen him play…..Many say he is a very good prospect and should be given a contract but i wonder in this modern world and the way football finances are worked out whether you are good or not counts for nothing but being a homegrown player the club as i understand will get 100% profit of any sale and so the bean counters will have there way regardless of footballing matters.
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