During the dramatic and hectic days which have seen West Ham United sign players galore in the Lopetegui/Steidten remodelling of the squad, one small but noteworthy detail could have easily escaped every one’s notice. With the announcement from the club yesterday of the new player numbers for the ‘incoming’ players to date was an almost insignificant addition: It would have been easy to miss with the revelation of provisional shirt numbers for Summerville, Fullkrug and Rodriguez.
Take a look at the number 29 shirt, announcing his arrival in the squad with an official ‘number’ for the first time is Scottish midfielder Andy Irving.
Looks to me as if he has ‘arrived’ in the first team squad slipping quietly under the radar. Would we expect him to go out on loan again having been allocated a squad number? The consensus was that he played well in all three of the preseason games he took part in, both in the UK and Florida: Remembering just a couple of weeks ago he scored one and laid one on. Such has been the drama that’s unfolded in the transfer window since, the friendly against The Daggers seems a very long time ago.
We will see if he is included in the squad and gets onto the pitch this afternoon in the Betway Cup at London Stadium. The Left footed midfielder, whilst now ‘officially’ listed in the West Ham squad on the web site, is in a midfield jammed full of talent and competitors so, all things are possible when the time comes for ‘departures’.
The Academy loanees have already been announced and largely arranged so perhaps Lopetegui has seen enough to include him (homegrown as he is) in the 25. After 28 starts for Klagenfurt in the Austrian League last year, we know of two definite loan offers which came to The Hammers for his services this Summer- but Lopetegui chose to keep him for further inspection.
Hopefully the new Irons’ Number 29 has done enough to grab his opportunity. In the three games of pre-season so far, he hasn’t disappointed. Another reason to scrutinise the team sheet come 3.00 pm this afternoon.
He is not homegrown being Scottish.
I had to Google to fact check, but was surprised to see you’re right (unless they trained at an English or Welsh club)
Guess Welsh count as they’re included in the EPL
It doesn’t matter about your nationality, it’s where you spend at least three years of time at a club/same country between age group 15–21. Being homegrown for England is generally easier for younger foreign players than being homegrown for a club.
Eric Dier and Owen Hargreaves are two (rare) examples of English players that aren’t considered homegrown due to their development happening outside of England.
Cesc Favregas and Pique are similar examples.
Yeah like if Guilherme stays with us for 3 years he’ll be home grown in England and to our squad, which, if he turns out good will be great for us
I was impressed with Irving at the Dagenham friendly, hope he comes good!
I was impressed with Irving at the Dagenham friendly, hope he has a good chance.