West Ham United have struggled this season, with David Moyes’ males failing to repeat final 12 months’s heroics within the Premier League, presently languishing in 16th spot, simply two factors out of the relegation zone.
Despite the current poor performances, the long run appears to be like shiny on the membership with the standard of younger gamers in their academy. The likes of Divin Mubama and Mipo Odubeko might be stars for the membership within the close to future, with the 2 scoring ten objectives between them for the U21s this time period, but it’s the centre of defence which might present Moyes with the most effective expertise.
Will West Ham United be relegated?
Yes
No
Young Brazilian defender Luizao joined the membership in January and appears set to have a shiny future, nevertheless, it’s an English centre half who Moyes will be certainly seeking to promote to the primary group within the coming months – Levi Laing.
Could Laing be West Ham’s next Rio Ferdinand?
The 19-year-old titan has been on the membership since signing from Arsenal and penned his first skilled contract in 2021, with U23 coach Dmitri Halajko praising the participant, saying: “After coming in from Arsenal, he fitted in right away. He hit the bottom operating with good performances, obtained himself in and across the U23s group and made just a few substitute appearances pretty early at that stage.
“The progress that he’s made in such a short period of time has been really positive, and I’m sure he can carry it on going forward at this club.”
He was additionally dubbed “outstanding” by Mark Robson following a efficiency in opposition to Exeter and his limitless potential might give him an excellent profession within the sport.
Indeed, the defender has made 45 appearances throughout the West Ham age teams whereas he impressed throughout three appearances on this season’s Football League Trophy, averaging a score of 7.07/10 whereas taking 67 touches per match and making a colossal 4.3 clearances and 1.7 tackles per sport together with successful an astounding 73% of his whole duels, proving that he’s greater than in a position to make the next step in his profession.
With that dogged and battle-hardened method to the sport, Laing might effectively observe within the footsteps of former West Ham alumni Ferdinand, who got here by way of the membership’s academy earlier than finally making 145 appearances for the Hammers, rising into the primary group together with Joe Cole and Michael Carrick.
He was offered for a whopping £18m in 2000 and Laing might be the next academy expertise to make a reputation for himself and generate the Hammers an enormous revenue within the course of.
Both gamers are over 6 foot 2 whereas Laing is following in Ferdinand’s footsteps by being wonderful within the air together with showcasing fantastic means in possession of the ball.
Moyes will be eager to observe his progress over the approaching months and in the event that they enhance their current kind and keep away from relegation, the Scot may give Laing some minutes come the ultimate few weeks of the season.
