Exclusive: Lopetegui ready to use academy stars
Julen Lopetegui is fully aware of the players in West Ham’s development squad, and the Hammers’ youngsters can expect to get their chance to shine over the next 12 months.
That’s the news that Claret & Hugh received today from a top club source when asked about George Earthy’s impact off the bench yesterday. It’s been made clear to C&H that plans are in place to give more youngsters a chance next season, though it’s believed the best is expected from this exciting crop of talent during the 2025/26 campaign.
It was initially feared that Lopetegui, replacing Moyes, would overlook West Ham’s FA Youth Cup-winning youngsters, and C&H expressed this concern to high-ranking Hammers officials. Therefore, it was reassuring to hear that the club is united in its intentions to get the best from this group of young players, and Lopetegui is clearly aware of that policy.
Hammers fan Earthy in dreamland
With FFP and profit and sustainability regulations becoming ever tighter, the Hammers will rely more than ever on the Academy of Football to produce players like Earthy who are first-team ready.
