Reporting on news of West Ham’s interest in both Archie Brown and Tariq Lamptey yesterday, as the latest in a suggested line of ‘next generation’ defenders which might be targets in January, my first reaction was to wonder why the interest in signing more young talent – as it is evident that West Ham already have some very capable young talent already at the club. Ollie Scarles and Kaelan Casey being the two who first spring to mind, both being on the cusp of the main squad.
I was reminded of a recent Hammers’ press release featuring words used by club legend and Sporting Director Mark Noble.
When Scarles signed a new long-term contract just last month, Mark Noble sang his praises on the whufc.com web site:”You could tell Ollie had what it took to play in the first team,” said the Hammers’ record Premier League appearance-maker. “He’s already done that in Europe, under David Moyes, and he’s been in and around the first team ever since. It’s so important that we as a Club do the right thing and ensure the best pathways for our players and Ollie is definitely one of them.”
Quite.
The Hammers already have a first and second choice left back in Emerson Palmieri and Aaron Cresswell – surely Ollie Scarles’ ‘best pathway’ to future success is to be third in line rather than to move further back behind other more costly recruited ‘talent’ .
How to ensure the best pathway into the main squad for young talent?
It is a frustrating process as an observer to watch West Ham’s own academy young talent get stuck on a plateau – when other clubs are seemingly ‘blooding’ their own young talent (or flogging them to us!) instead of overlooking them.
Why do West Ham sign youngsters to new long term contracts if there is no intent to use them? The possibility of turning a quick million profit on one or two of them for PSR purposes surely isn’t worth it if the club goes and spends £15 or £20 million on someone else’s young talent.
