I can’t recall Nuno Espirito Santo making any grand claims about West Ham’s academy when he took the Hammers job.
Individually, he’s praised the likes of Callum Marshall and Freddie Potts, but there’s never been an overarching declaration of intent. Yet, over the Portugeezer’s first five games in charge, he’s quietly walked the walk — giving more meaningful game time to academy players in a short spell than I can remember in years.
Nuno’s Quiet Revolution
Coaches have been promoted from the academy, and Premier League starts handed to Potts, Marshall, and of course Ollie Scarles. There might not be any big speeches from Nuno, but the message is loud and clear: there is a pathway to the first team.
Mohamadou Kanté has signed a long-term deal with West Ham
Ezra Mayer’s inclusion on the bench for the 3-1 win over Newcastle may have gone unnoticed amid the buzz of victory, but it was another significant move. Nuno lost one academy full-back to injury (Scarles) and replaced him with another — that’s trust, not tokenism.
So it’s hardly surprising that “monster” midfielder Mohamadou Kanté and nutmeg maestro Preston Fearon have signed new long-term deals with the club. Nothing says “you have a future here” quite like seeing your mates play Premier League football.
For years, the consensus has been that you can’t throw young players into a relegation battle. But Nuno Espirito Santo seems to disagree — and I suspect his response to that old cliché would be simple: “Codswallop.”
Makes sense to ease these younger players into the team. To see if they seize the chance and cut it. It gives other academy players incentive. It breeds players who love the club as well as an improved income stream plus saving on exorbitant transfer fees for mercenary journeymen players who have no allegiance to the club.
Feeding the first team from the academy has been unfashionable at West Ham for far too long now. All credit to Nuno for looking to reverse this, it’s long overdue! Other premier league clubs do it successfully and reap the rewards in footballing and financial terms. It makes sense and recognises the effort and commitment these lads have given the club.
It’s also worth noting that it’s potentially self fulfilling – when you don’t give kids a chance they leave or don’t come to West Ham to begin with. Now we can be seen as a viable option for youth again!
Codswallop – I would agree. Moyes was always trotting out that tired excuse. People say, “who made it out of those he ignored?”. But that ignores the psychological damage of being ignored and considered “not good enough”. People argue that others make it when ignored, but again that ignores that they are a fraction. A fraction of a fraction. Just look back to the Europa dead rubber that was almost made up of of a lot of kids against a “Men’s” team that needed the points and yet they gave them a game and only lost 1-0. A few were ready right then, potentially.
Let’s be honest here..they can’t be any worse than . The over paid aging midfielder that moyse left us with .we might be surprised. Good luck guys
There is also the fact that these players are now coming of age at just the right time for Nuno. Let’s face it some people have been calling for these particular youngsters to get game time for years when it would have been premature to throw a young kid in but now I think they’re probably ready. They have played men’s football at a lower level and proved they can cut it. So it’s time to see if they can do it in the premier league.
First time in a long time. I am excited with the inclusion of the youngsters