18-year-old Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly was on the receiving end of West Ham’s 5-1 FA Youth Cup win against the Gunners back in April 2023.
There was nothing particularly exceptional about Lewis-Skelly in that game, thanks to the dominance of a Hammers team expertly led by captain Gideon Kodua. People’s personal choices for man of the match on that evening varied, of course, with Earthy, Marshall, and Casey all performing brilliantly. Even Gooners fans in attendance would likely concede that all the best players on show were wearing claret and blue (technically, it was a black kit with pink speckles on the sleeves, but let’s not ruin the moment)
The Hammers’ development squad had come off the back of an exceptional season, with many predicting the talented crop would go on to achieve great things. There certainly wasn’t a youth coach in the land who would have suggested the Hammers boys were overhyped—they proved as much the following season, both domestically and in European Under-21 competitions.
The talent of West Ham’s youngsters was undeniable, with many representing and even captaining England at youth level. Unfortunately, there was just one problem: they were at West Ham.
Despite the moniker “The Academy of Football,” West Ham are anything but. The crest and motto might be emblazoned on the carpet covering the London Stadium running track, but it’s a meaningless pledge unsupported by real player development.
That’s not a criticism of the excellent academy staff, who more than do their part, but rather of those in charge at the top.
Lopetegui meets academy star George Earthy in pre-season publicity stunt
Only recently, Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui revealed he had been tasked with three main objectives upon joining the club: 1) change the playing style, 2) win more games, and 3) integrate nine new signings brought in from outside the club.
Notably absent was any instruction to promote West Ham’s outstanding youth players. While Lopetegui was keen to give Sky Sports an insight into his mandated tasks, there was no talk about a pathway for academy graduates—they weren’t even mentioned.
So, quite what West Ham’s FA Youth Cup winners thought when they saw Lewis-Skelly start a Champions League game for Arsenal this week is anyone’s guess. The 18-year-old was, in fact, playing his third Champions League game for the Gooners this season and looked excellent. He’s far from the only one, either.
Because Arsenal aren’t afraid to give their youth players a chance—and neither are Liverpool, Manchester City, or most other Premier League clubs. Apparently, West Ham know better, though.
This week, Lewis Orford scored as the Hammers’ youngsters beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1 in the Premier League International Cup. Orford was exceptional, as is usually the case, and he was recently handed the England Under-19 captaincy on his DEBUT. Incredible.
Lewis Orford Scores-West Ham United U21s 3-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach IIPremier League International Cup
Orford led West Ham’s comeback on Tuesday
Orford is a West Ham fan from a family of Hammers supporters and, in my opinion, far better suited to Premier League football than Guido Rodríguez, who’s reportedly keen on a return to La Liga. Unfortunately for Orford, being good at football and wanting to play won’t be enough to dislodge the journeyman free transfer from the matchday squad. Sad eh?
Keep an eye on Orford though—I think he’ll make it. Sadly, he’ll likely have to leave the club he loves to do so. There is always Arsenal, they do like to give youth a chance and after all, they have more West Ham academy graduates in their first team than we do.
