It was not long ago that West Ham Academy star George Earthy was being likened to Premier League great David Silva but now there’s talk he could leave.
West Ham’s lack of creativity and guile has gone too long without being addressed and it is catching up with them this season.
The fact the team is incapable of keeping a clean sheet doesn’t help either of course.
But goals win games and West Ham have managed just 19 victories in more than 70 Premier League matches charting back to the start of 2024.
The Hammers have always had skilful, technical players who are comfortable on the ball.
The kind of talents who play on the half-turn, take on players and open up a game or play between the lines.
Earthy speaks out after controversial West Ham exit talk
There has been a distinct lack of those kind of stars in the claret and blue in recent times with Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta the closest the Hammers have to players of that profile.
It makes the situation surrounding George Earthy all the more confusing and intriguing.
George Earthy certainly is the best young prospect at West Ham. What more does he need to do for Nuno to give him game time?
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Former West Ham boss David Moyes compared Earthy to Man City great David Silva before he departed east London.
Mark Noble has previously revealed Earthy’s determination to make it at West Ham.
But the 21-year-old talent’s progress has been slowed by injuries and a lack of chances to impress under Julen Lopetegui, Graham Potter and now Nuno Espirito Santo.
West Ham’s latest manager has shown he is willing to put Academy players in at the deep end.
A host of young stars have been given game time under Nuno from Ollie Scarles to Ezra Mayers, Mohamadou Kante and regular Freddie Potts.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Since his return from injury, though, Earthy has been conspicuous by his absence in West Ham squads.
That has sparked speculation the gifted starlet could leave the club.
Especially with his contract approaching its expiry date and fresh terms yet to be agreed despite West Ham signing a host of young stars up to long-term deals of late.
Now Earthy has spoken out after controversial West Ham exit talk amid a fresh Nuno snub.
Prominent West Ham insider ExWHUemployee stated his opinion that Earthy may have to consider his options in January if he continues to be overlooked by Nuno.
Earthy desperate to play for West Ham but faces fresh Nuno snub
That sparked some inaccurate reporting of the situation online with the insider making clear it was his opinion based on the fact Earthy is too talented to waste away in development football.
Suggestions Earthy could be forced to leave due to a lack of chances under Nuno have understandably concerned Hammers fans who shared Moyes’ belief he could be West Ham’s answer to Silva.
A West Ham debut for Ezra Mayers! Which academy kid will be the next Freddie Potts and why?
“The one thing that’s always stood out about Ezra is his love for coming in every day, training and being a player at West Ham. He’s really kicked on in these last two years.”
– Academy Manager, Kenny Brown
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It is perhaps no coincidence that in the days after Earthy’s situation started making headlines, the club’s official website has published an interview with the midfielder.
And Earthy has made it clear he is still desperate to make it at West Ham, saying he just wants to play and help the team.
But it seems that is not going to be straightforward after a new revelation.
Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images
“It’s something you miss massively (playing first-team football),” Earthy told West Ham’s website.
“When you get a taste of it like I did last year, I think it gives you that much more hunger and that much more drive to get back out there. Especially for the Club that I’ve been at my whole life, I think it makes you that much hungrier and I can’t wait to get out there.
“It definitely hurts (seeing the team in the position we are in) and I think it hurts a lot more being a West Ham fan because it just means that much more.
Earthy: I’m a West Ham fan and I’m desperate to help the team
“I’m just desperate to try and help the team, that’s the first thing of all. And for myself, I’m just also desperate to get out there as well.”
While that is great to hear – and Earthy clearly loves his club – it seems his wait will go on.
Despite West Ham’s lack of depth and talent of his ilk, ExWHUemployee believes Earthy will once again be overlooked by Nuno for the trip to Man City – where the man he is likened to, Silva, made his name.
In his early team news on The West Ham Way Patreon, Ex states that young goalkeeper Fin Herrick, Mayers and Kante are in the squad.
But he believes Earthy may be snubbed again along with Luis Guilherme and Callum Marshall.
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