West Ham United is affectionately known as The Academy of Football, producing young talented footballers. This potential emergence and growth of our youth can only pose one question, who’s West Ham’s next Declan Rice?
We all know the names Declan Rice and Reece Oxford, and have seen somewhat how they play (more so in the case of Rice). We now know that Reece Burke is gone to Hull City, whilst Martin Samuelsen and Marcus Browne have been sent out on loan. Their destinations are VVV-Venlo and Oxford United respectfully, with more to follow I imagine. But who will stay and be allowed to try out some first team action?
I have three names for discussion and will talk more about them in the paragraphs to follow: Josh Cullen, Sead Haksabanovic, and Nathan Holland.
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The Pros
For an easy starter, the pros for each Cullen, Haksabanovic, and Holland are that they will be this year surrounded by a very attacking and professional side. Josh Cullen does not have the stats to back him as far as goals or assists, but his ability to pass the ball forward and keep the play alive will be interesting to see. Especially with the likes of a Wilshere, Chicha, Arnautovic, Anderson, and Yarmolenko around him to continue the play too.
Next, Sead Haksabanovic. The dude is flat out fast and can certainly hit a screamer like I haven’t seen in a while. Having Arni and Chicha possibly upfront has to be mouth drooling to any winger/attacking midfielder that has the pace and potential skill as he does.
And finally, Nathan Elliot Holland. It is my belief that he will be the next star to come from the academy. Just like Sead he has good pace and can shoot up and down the wing. Watching him in the pre-season has been a joy to see, and with a midfield potentially of Jack and Nobes, or even Obiang, it will be interesting to see the setups he will get!
The Cons
Yes, there must be a bad side to everything but fortunately for you, I am a glass half full kind of guy.
My cons for all are really the same. First, we haven’t seen these guys very often and even when we have its been while on loan (Cullen) or in the U23’s (Cullen, Haksabanovic, Holland). Not one of them is a lethal goal scorer, but all could have the potential to play a setup man or play-maker.
Secondly, for all three they have a pretty stacked line of players on front of them. For the wingers, both Haksabanovic and Holland will have to find time between Anderson, Yarmo, Antonio, and even Robert Snodgrass who apparently the gaffer likes. For Cullen he will have to compete with the likes of the skipper, Wilshere, Obiang, and Lanzini once he returns hopefully in January.
And thirdly when talking about cons for the question Who’s West Ham’s next Declan Rice, it will be their size. I know it’s not the size that matters ha ha but seriously neither a one of these guys are close to 6 feet tall or has strength to boot. I know, that not all world-class players are tall or have size but to play in the EPL you have to be strong and play big.
Only time will tell who our new break out star will be but my money is on either Cullen, Haksabanovic, or Holland. Until next time Come on You Irons!