West Ham were in for six players on new Golden Boy list but signed none

Tim Steidten has made it clear he sees West Ham as a five-year project.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. And neither was Steidten’s former club Bayer Leverkusen who are reaping the rewards of what the German sowed over several years there.

Going into the summer the Hammers had the smallest and second oldest squad in the entire Premier League.

The average age of the West Ham squad was over 27 then and Julen Lopetegui inherited just 17 players on July 1st.

West Ham spent over £155m on nine new players in the summer. They also shipped out 12.

Remarkably, though, West Ham now have THE oldest squad in the Premier League.

West Ham’s average age is 28.4 – over a whole year more than the next oldest Fulham.

Chelsea have the youngest squad at just 23.1.

So much for building a young, exciting team one might think?

It’s clear that is the plan in the medium to long term.

Every team needs experience but signing 30 plus year-olds like Guido Rodriguez and Niclas Fullkrug didn’t help bring down the average age in the West Ham squad.

Neither did hanging on to Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio and Danny Ings – who will have a combined age of 142 by the end of the season.

Luis Guilherme, Crysencio Summerville were the only players brought in who really qualify as ‘young and exciting’.

West Ham were in for six Golden Boys but signed none

But the Hammers could have had several more that met their recruitment criteria.

West Ham were in for six players on the new Golden Boy list but signed none of them.

The 2024 Golden Boy list was announced yesterday.

The finalists for the Golden Boy 2024 award feature the best young talent across Europe, including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.

For the last two decades, Italian outlet Tuttosport presents the Golden Boy award to the best player under 21 years old competing across Europe. Previous winners range from Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney to Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

And it will pain West Ham fans – and no doubt Steidten and the board – that six of the names on the list could be playing their football at the London Stadium right now.

Two of them have even made the top 20 final shortlist for the honour, expected to be won by Spain star Yamal.

Steidten and co will rue the ones who got away from Hammers

For context West Ham’s rivals Spurs have three players on the 100 list.

Brighton – widely regarded to have one of the best recruitment models in Europe – have SEVEN on the list who are on their books.

Even Bournemouth have a player on the list.

West Ham could have had six – and most certainly should have at least one or two.

But decisions made on certain deals – not all by Steidten – mean the Hammers have none.

And the one player Steidten did sign who you might expect to be on that list – Guilherme – is nowhere to be seen.

In the words of Jim Bowen, here’s a look at what you could have won West Ham:

1) Adam Wharton

It was reported in May last year that West Ham had been watching wonderkid Adam Wharton.

Wharton, then with Championship Blackburn, was described as a ‘taller Jack Wilshere, who can play and tackle’.

Reports at the time claimed West Ham were one of a number of Premier League clubs seriously interested in Wharton. The Hammers even sent scouts to watch him on a regular basis.

Despite needing young, quality midfield reinforcements knowing Declan Rice was going to be leaving, the Hammers dallied and Palace beat them to the punch at £13.5m.

That now looks like an absolute steal as the all-action midfielder has received England honours and has made the Golden Boy final 20.

2) Samuel Omorodion

Another West Ham target who made the final 20 list is Samu Omorodion.

Eyebrows were raised when West Ham spent £23.5m on a 31-year-old injury-prone striker in the shape of Niclas Fullkrug in the summer. Especially after Steidten’s pledge to build a young, exciting side.

Someone who would have fit that profile was Omorodion.

The 20-year-old was another striker who was heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium in the summer. Then with Atletico Madrid, Omorodion was said to be a top target for Lopetegui.

Back in April, Hammers News reported on claims that West Ham were lining up a move for Omorodion.

It was even reported at one stage the Hammers made an official £33m offer for the giant forward.

But he joined Porto for half that price and half his rights instead. And he hasn’t stopped scoring for them and Spain’s Under 21s ever since.

3) Dario Osorio

When Steidten arrived at West Ham last July, South American wonderkid Dario Osorio was one of the first names he was linked with.

As reported by talkSPORT at the time, the Hammers were hoping to land the Chilean winger – then at Universidad de Chile – in a bargain deal.

AC Milan were also said to have been in for Osorio. He was clearly attainable too as he ended up joining Danish side FC Midtjylland – from whom West Ham signed Winston Reid – instead.

Osorio was also linked with West Ham again in the summer but remained in Denmark where he has nine goals in 31 games so far.

Osorio already has 15 senior Chile caps at just 20 years of age.

4) Antonio Nusa

Norwegian Antonio Nusa was another West Ham were heavily linked with following Steidten’s arrival.

The former Club Brugge star, who has been compared to Neymar – as per The Athletic, is a 19-year-old winger and attacking midfielder.

West Ham were lining up a move for Nusa and Spurs tried to hijack it.

In the end, though, Red Bull did what Red Bull do – snapping the highly-rated talent up for RB Leipzig. Nusa already has 11 senior Norway caps and a goal at just 19.

5) Vitor Roque

West Ham wanted to bring Vitor Roque to the London Stadium last summer and this according to reports.

South American striker Vitor Roque is regarded as one of the most talented young players on the planet.

West Ham fans were excited at the prospect of signing Roque.

Chelsea and other Premier League clubs were also linked with the really were very exciting to see.

Steidten has strong contacts in Brazil and clearly likes the Barcelona starlet.

West Ham fans wanted the club to sign a young, powerful and pacy forward. So Roque seemed the perfect fit when he was linked with the Hammers again in the summer.

In the end, though, he joined ex Hammers favourite Pablo Fornals and former boss Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis on loan.

The 19-year-old has one senior cap for Brazil and has scored once in three games for Betis thus far.

6) Ibrahim Osman

West Ham fans were furious in January when David Moyes refused to entertain signing Steidten target Ibrahim Osman.

As reported by Hammers News at the time, Moyes – and others inside West Ham – saw Osman as a ‘risky punt’.

That’s despite Mohammed Kudus reportedly giving his fellow Ghanaian a glowing reference as Steidten eyed the skilful left winger.

In the end Moyes, who had power of veto on all transfers as per his contract, snubbed the 19-year-old and insisted on signing Kalvin Phillips instead.

Enough said on that score.

To rub salt in the wound, Brighton swooped and signed Osman before loaning him out to Feyenoord.

Golden Boy 2024 full nominee list

• Lamine Yamal – FC Barcelona | 13/07/2007 (Spain), Forward
• João Neves – Paris Saint-Germain | 27/09/2004 (Portugal), Midfielder
• A. Garnacho – Manchester United | 01/07/2004 (Argentina), Forward
• W. Zaire-Emery – Paris Saint-Germain | 03/08/2006 (France), Midfielder
• Sávio – Manchester City | 10/04/2004 (Brazil), Forward
• K. Mainoo – Manchester United | 19/04/2005 (England), Midfielder
• L. Yoro – Manchester United | 11/13/2005 (France), Defender
• Pau Cubarsi – FC Barcelona | 01/22/2007 (Spain), Defender
• R. Lewis – Manchester City | 21/11/2004 (England), Defender
• A. Pavlovic – Bayern Munich | 05/03/2004 (Germany), Midfielder
• M. Tel – Bayern Munich | 04/27/2005 (France), Forward
• A. Güler – Real Madrid | 02/25/2005 (Türkiye), Midfielder
• A. Wharton – Crystal Palace | 02/06/2004 (England), Midfielder
• J. Hato – Ajax Amsterdam | 03/07/2006 (Netherlands), Defender
• Cristhian Mosquera – Valencia CF | 06/27/2004 (Spain), Defender
• J. Bynoe-Gittens – Borussia Dortmund | 08/08/2004 (England), Forward
• D. Doué – Paris Saint-Germain | 03/06/2005 (France), Midfielder
• O. Gloukh – Red Bull Salzburg | 04/01/2004 (Israel), Midfielder
• A. Schjelderup – SL Benfica | 01/06/2004 (Norway), Forward
• Y. Minteh – Brighton & Hove Albion | 22/07/2004 (The Gambia), Forward
• Ilias Akhomach – Villarreal CF | 04/16/2004 (Morocco), Forward
• M. Kayode – ACF Fiorentina | 10/07/2004 (Italy), Defender
• B. El Khannouss – Leicester City | 10/05/2004 (Morocco), Midfielder
• Gavi – FC Barcelona | 05/08/2004 (Spain), Midfielder
• G. Restes – FC Toulouse | 11/03/2005 (France), Goalkeeper
• Y. Moukoko – OGC Nice | 20/11/2004 (Germany), Forward
• A. Vermeeren – RB Leipzig | 02/07/2005 (Belgium), Midfielder
• R. Pukštas – HNK Hajduk Split | 08/25/2004 (United States), Midfielder
• M. Smets – KRC Genk | 04/01/2004 (Belgium), Defender
• K. Yildiz – Juventus FC | 04/05/2005 (Türkiye), Forward
• M. Fofana – Olympique Lyon | 31/03/2005 (Belgium), Forward
• A. Nusa – RB Leipzig | 04/17/2005 (Norway), Midfielder
• H. Diarra – RC Strasbourg Alsace | 01/03/2004 (Senegal), Midfielder
• K. Hlynsson – Ajax Amsterdam | 01/23/2004 (Iceland), Midfielder
• M. Delorge-Knieper – KAA Gent | 31/07/2004 (Belgium), Midfielder
• J. Belocian – Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 02/17/2005 (France), Defender
• W. Odobert – Tottenham Hotspur | 11/28/2004 (France), Forward
• L. Miley – Newcastle United | 01/05/2006 (England), Midfielder
• L. Bergvall – Tottenham Hotspur | 02/02/2006 (Sweden), Midfielder
• H. Larsson – Eintracht Frankfurt | 06/27/2004 (Sweden), Midfielder
• Endrick – Real Madrid | 07/21/2006 (Brazil), Forward
• M. Stroeykens – RSC Anderlecht | 29/09/2004 (Belgium), Midfielder
• I. Fatawu – Leicester City | 03/08/2004 (Ghana), Forward
• Samu Omorodion – FC Porto | 05/05/2004 (Spain), Forward
• K. Konaté – Red Bull Salzburg | 03/21/2004 (Cote d’Ivoire), Forward
• L. Camara – AS Monaco | 01/01/2004 (Senegal), Midfielder
• K. Urbanski – Bologna FC 1909 | 07/09/2004 (Poland), Midfielder
• B. Gruda – Brighton & Hove Albion | 05/31/2004 (Germany), Forward
• S. Baidoo – Red Bull Salzburg | 31/03/2004 (Austria), Defender
• Assane Diao – Real Betis Balompié | 07/09/2005 (Spain), Forward
• C. Baleba – Brighton & Hove Albion | 03/01/2004 (Cameroon), Midfielder
• M. Cho – OGC Nice | 01/19/2004 (France), Forward
• I. Osman – Feyenoord Rotterdam | 29/11/2004 (Ghana), Forward
• M. Enggård – Molde FK | 01/20/2004 (Denmark), Midfielder
• K. Ouattara – AS Monaco | 10/14/2004 (France), Defender
• L. Hall – Newcastle United | 08/09/2004 (England), Defender
• F. Buonanotte – Leicester City | 23/12/2004 (Argentina), Midfielder
• Franculino Djú – FC Midtjylland | 06/28/2004 (Guinea-Bissau), Forward
• Gustavo Sá – FC Famalicão | 11/11/2004 (Portugal), Midfielder
• N. Sattlberger – KRC Genk | 18/01/2004 (Austria), Midfielder
• E. Ben Seghir – AS Monaco | 02/14/2005 (Morocco), Midfielder
• Vitor Roque – Real Betis Balompié | 02/28/2005 (Brazil), Forward
• S. Kilicsoy – Besiktas JK | 08/15/2005 (Türkiye), Forward
• J. Spileers – Club Brugge KV | 21/01/2005 (Belgium), Defender
• V. Carboni – Olympique Marseille | 05/03/2005 (Argentina), Midfielder
• A. Gray – Tottenham Hotspur | 12/03/2006 (England), Midfielder
• D. Osorio – FC Midtjylland | 01/24/2004 (Chile), Forward
• B. Slyubyk – Rukh Lviv | 11/02/2004 (Ukraine), Defender
• P. Andreev – Feyenoord Rotterdam | 12/15/2004 (Bulgaria), Goalkeeper
• O. Óskarsson – Real Sociedad | 08/29/2004 (Iceland), Forward
• P. Wanner – 1.FC Heidenheim | 23/12/2005 (Germany), Midfielder
• A. Khalaili – Union Saint-Gilloise | 03/09/2004 Israel, Forward
• M. Yalcouyé – SK Sturm Graz | 18/11/2005 (Cote d’Ivoire), Midfielder
• N. Sadiki – Union Saint-Gilloise | 12/17/2004 (DR Congo), Defender
• J. Ordóñez – Club Brugge KV | 04/21/2004 (Ecuador), Defender
• Y. Özcan – Kasimpasa | 04/20/2006 (Türkiye), Defender
• Dean Huijsen – AFC Bournemouth | 04/14/2005 (Spain), Defender
• A. Khusanov – RC Lens | 02/29/2004 (Uzbekistan), Defender
• E. Banzuzi – Oud-Heverlee Leuven | 16/02/2005 (Netherlands), Midfielder
• O. Kricfalusi – FK Teplice | 03/29/2004 (Czech Republic), Defender
• J. Hinshelwood – Brighton & Hove Albion | 11/04/2005 (England), Midfielder
• J. Enciso – Brighton & Hove Albion | 01/23/2004 (Paraguay), Forward
• Y. Pastukh – Rukh Lviv | 03/19/2004 (Ukraine), Midfielder
• A. Kade – FC Basel 1893 | 17/01/2004 (Germany), Midfielder
• Pedro – Zenit Saint Petersburg | 02/05/2006 (Brazil), Forward
• S. Pinyaev – Lokomotiv Moscow | 02/11/2004 (Russia), Forward
• R. van Bommel – AZ Alkmaar | 03/08/2004 (Netherlands), Forward
• C. Uzun – Eintracht Frankfurt | 11/11/2005 (Turkey), Midfielder
• E. Ferguson – Brighton & Hove Albion | 19/10/2004 (Ireland), Forward
• Roger Fernandes – SC Braga | 21/11/2005 (Portugal), Forward
• Carlos Borges – Wolverhampton Wanderers | 03/19/2004 (Portugal), Forward
• C. Mawissa – AS Monaco | 04/18/2005 (France), Defender
• J. Kjær – Fredrikstad FK | 01/03/2004 (Denmark), Midfielder
• P. Dorgu – US Lecce | 26/10/2004 (Denmark), Defender
• T. Drexler – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim | 06/03/2005 (Germany), Defender
• M. Živkovic – NK Lokomotiva Zagreb | 05/22/2004 (Croatia), Defender
• S. Pafundi – FC Lausanne-Sport | 14/03/2006 (Italy), Midfielder
• T. Slotsager – Odense Boldklub | 01/01/2006 (Denmark), Defender
• L. Mincarelli Davin – Montpellier HSC | 05/01/2004 (France), Defender
• N. Mukau – LOSC Lille | 03/11/2004 (DR Congo), Midfielder

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