da marjack bet： West Ham’s Academy has seen a number of future football stars step through its gates in recent years, with many going on to join some of the best players in world football.
da pinnacle： “The Academy of Football” as the club has affectionately become known reinforces this, with the club recognised throughout English football as a prolific producer of young talent.
Superstars like Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard began their careers at The Hammers, whilst club legends like Mark Noble have played out their entire career’s with their boyhood club.
Looking forward, “The Academy of Football” will no doubt retain its reputation as the primary destination for young footballing stars, especially with the talented group of youngsters currently gracing it’s development leagues.
With Slaven Billic looking to build to the future following an impressive start to life in east London, the club’s development squads will no doubt play a huge part as he looks to add more players to his already talented squad.
Here are FIVE West Ham Starlets that should give Slavan Bilic some food for thought…
Reece Burke
Young Reece Burke may be a familiar name with some Hammers fans, given that he has already made five first team appearances for his boyhood club.
After making his first team debut in 2014, Burke was sent out on loan to Bradford City for the 2015/16 season, amassing an impressive 34 league appearances during his time with the League One side.
Perhaps more impressive than that was his trophy hall at the end of the campaign, eventually picking up seven awards at the end of season Bradford Awards Ceremony, including the coveted Player of the Year award.
The versatile centre back towers at nearly 6ft 3in, and provides pace and defensive stability to any back line he features in.
The future looks bright for young Burke, especially given the fact that Slaven Bilic recently discussed how much he likes the player, describing him as very “clever”.
Bilic clearly rates the youngster, and will no doubt keep on eye on him over pre-season before deciding whether to send him out on loan again next year.
Joe Powell
Joe Powell is another player with the world at his feet. Hammers fans may remember his name through his older brother Jack, who was unfortunately released after a few relatively unsuccessful loan spells in 2013.
The pacey winger recently turned pro with West Ham, having signed a three year deal in May of this year.
Despite appearing intermittently last year, due to a few niggling injuries, he impressed for each of the developmental sides that he turned out for, leading the club to sign him up to a full-time deal.
At just 17-years-old he remains very raw, but with Bilic seemingly keen to get young players into the first team – Joe Powell could become an excellent asset next season, especially if he can get past his niggling injuries.
Sam Ford
Whilst not an academy graduate, 17-year-old Sam Ford recently came the attention of Hammers fans after an impressive spell on trial at the London club, scoring just 12 minutes into a development game.
The coveted young attack was targeted by a host of clubs before joining West Ham; a testament to the player that he is.
Since joining the club in March of 2016, Ford has done all the right things on the pitch and said all the right things off of it. He has all the qualities to make it through this demanding development system.
He seems set to play for the academy side in his debut full season at the club, but with West Ham seemingly interested in signing forwards; Bilic should definitely keep tabs on the prolific youngster.
Martin Samuelson
Another player not built from within the Academy, Martin Samuelson is another young star that looks destined for the big time.
The Norweigan midfielder joined the side in June 2015, with The Hammers batting off interest from the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid for his signature; indicating how much of a coup his signing was.
He made his debut for the Norway international team just last month; a huge milestone for a player that is just 19-years-old.
The versatile midfielder can play anywhere across the midfield, particularly excelling when going forward.
He went on loan to Peterborough last season, impressing during a near six month spell; amassing a total of 17 league appearances.
With a full season of football under his belt, the coming pre-season will be important for Samuelson, as Bilic decides whether he could be an asset to the West Ham first team, or whether another loan is on the cards for the talented player.
Reece Oxford
Reece Oxford is easily the most well known young player currently in the West Ham academy.
Despite being just 17-years-old, Oxford has been the subject of a huge amount of interest from some huge European clubs, including both Manchester United and Chelsea.
He famously made his full Premier League debut against Arsenal in 2015, impressing in a Man of the Match worthy display.
The Hammers have thus far been able to hold onto the talented defender, and if they wish to hold on to their star man for much longer – Bilic HAS to look at utilizing him next season.
What West Ham cannot offer in wages, they have proven that they can offer in potential, with some of the world’s best footballers making it through West Ham in the Premier League.
If Reece Oxford remains at the club and is given an opportunity, he could become an extra name to add to the ‘Notable Alumni’ list at the brand new Olympic Stadium.