One of West Ham United’s forgotten young players was spotted training with the first-team at Rush Green today, ahead of our clash with Burnley tomorrow.
There have been numerous West Ham players missing from first-team training over the past 10 days or so, due to international commitments.
As a result, Hammers boss David Moyes obviously had to make up the numbers with some of the under-21s joining in training with the first-team.
However, everyone is backed from being on duty with their respective nations now, and one youth player was still involved with the big boys.
Levi Laing, 20, joined us from Arsenal in the summer of 2021 after he was released from the Gunners, and has only played 22 minutes senior football for West Ham – a substitute appearance in the Europa Conference League against AEK Larnaca last season (Transfermarkt).
However, Moyes clearly rates the former Arsenal youngster very highly indeed…
Levi Laing spotted in West Ham first-team training
The young centre-back was spotted joining in with the first-team training session at Rush Green today.
He can be seen standing just behind Kurt Zouma, in image number four from the five posted on West Ham’s official website.
The 20-year-old is a real talent, but his lack of exposure at senior level will undoubtedly be a concern for him.
The sheer fact that Moyes is including the youngster in training sessions with the senior side proves that the Scot is a big fan of him.
However, there’s no way he’s getting into the team ahead of Zouma, Nayef Aguerd, Konstantinos Mavropanos or even Thilo Kehrer for that matter.
Barring a real central defensive injury crisis, his outlook for regular action at the London Stadium this season is very bleak indeed.
A loan move away from the Hammers would do him the world of good in January, so hopefully we’ll be able to find a club that is a good fit for him.
Whether Moyes has grander plans for him remains to be seen though.
