Hammers academy graduates and FA Youth Cup winners Lewis Orford and Kaelan Casey are being lined up for loan moves next season.
That’s the latest from a London stadium source, and it’s a move that makes sense from both the players’ and the club’s perspective.
The two youngsters will continue their pre-season preparations with West Ham before the club look to emulate the success of Freddie Potts’ loan spell at Portsmouth last season.
Orford made his Premier League debut last season after signing a new five-year Hammers deal. The 19-year-old is a prodigiously talented playmaker who should excel if the right club is found for him.
With competition for places set to be fierce next season, Orford would benefit massively from regular game time away from the London Stadium. Claret & Hugh were informed back in April that Graham Potter planned to use Freddie Potts once he returned from Pompey, and he’s now expected to remain in the West Ham squad.
As for Casey, it’s always difficult for young central defenders to break through at Premier League level. At 20 years of age, he too needs consistent minutes to aid his development.
With Calum Marshall, George Earthy and Potts all enjoying strong loan spells last season, it seems the Hammers have finally cracked the code when it comes to selecting the right clubs for our young talents.
Hopefully, both Casey and Orford will now be the next to benefit from that simplest of tasks which we’ve executed poorly in recent seasons.