West Ham Will Need Declan Rice-Like Impact from Youngster

West Ham are likely to need an impact from Ademipo Obudeko at some point between now and the end of the season. The Hammers failed to buy a striker during the January transfer window. The club have seen their options dry up after selling Sebastien Haller are now left with just Michail Antonio.

David Moyes has claimed that the was money to be spent, but he did not want to sign anyone just to “appease people”. West Ham appeared to try and sign a couple of players during the window such as Boulaye Dia and Youssef En-Nesyri but were unsuccessful.

"“We were looking and we had money to spend, but we are trying not to go down the same path as before. I am not going to sign players who have come in to appease people.”Moyes on January transfers."

West Ham have taken a massive risk not signing a second striker to support Michail Antonio for the remainder of the season.

There is a huge concern amongst fans that the club will not be able to rely on Antonio for the rest of the season. The now converted striker has a history of hamstring problems. With the games coming once every three days, it could only be a matter of time before Antonio faces a spell on the sidelines.

There is a big chance that Obudeko will be given a chance to impress. Even Moyes has said he wouldn’t be against giving him a chance. The 18-year-old is scoring goals for fun for the academy side when he gets on the pitch.

There is, however, a massive jump from development football all the way to the Premier League. The Hammer may end up needing Obudeko to make an impact similar to that of Declan Rice. The midfielder made the step up to the first-team amazingly quickly.

Obudeko has plenty of potential to become a top striker. Though it would have been thought that he would be given a couple more years until he would have to show it on the biggest stage. If there is an injury to Antonio; however, he may need to produce much sooner.