{"id":451344,"date":"2026-03-01T03:37:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T03:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/451344\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T03:37:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T03:37:12","slug":"josh-ajala-unplayable-as-west-ham-kid-shines-at-leeds-and-shows-why-new-contract-is-a-must","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/451344\/","title":{"rendered":"Josh Ajala ‘unplayable’ as West Ham kid shines at Leeds and shows why new contract is a must"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google <\/a> <\/p>\n

So often this season, West Ham United\u2019s exciting crop of Under-21 talent have proved to be a welcome distraction from the struggles of Nuno Espirito Santo\u2019s first-team.<\/p>\n

As Jarrod Bowen and co slipped ever closer towards relegation at Anfield \u2013 West Ham\u2019s set-piece issues reared their heads again<\/a> in a 5-2 defeat by Arne Slot\u2019s side \u2013 the claret and blue kids put in another sparkling display to suggest that, while the present remains pretty punishing, the future is fairly bright.<\/p>\n

Of course, the potential departure of Josh Ajala<\/a> would put a sizeable dent in that optimism.<\/p>\n

What would YOU tell Josh Ajala to make him stay? <\/p>\n

West Ham’s cup hero strikes again\u2026 \ud83c\udfc6 \u26bd \u26bd<\/p>\n

\"Josh <\/p>\n

Claret and Hugh<\/a> this week suggested that Mark Noble<\/a> is under some scrutiny in his role as West Ham United\u2019s<\/a> sporting director. The Hammers lost Elisha Sowunmi to Tottenham<\/a> last month, while Emeka Adiele moved to Eredivisie outfit FC Utrecht<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s 3-1 victory over Leeds \u2013 in which Ajala scored one and set up another \u2013 was the latest reminder about what West Ham risk losing next.<\/p>\n

Josh Ajala scores as West Ham United beat Leeds\u2019 Under-21s<\/p>\n

Fabrizio Romano claims that, with his contract up in the summer, Ajala has held talks with French and German clubs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Claret and Hugh add that the teenager is \u2018assessing\u2019 options away from East London.<\/p>\n

Not that they needed a reminder \u2013 Ajala has been in devastating form<\/a> over the last few weeks \u2013 but this was another searing, stand-out performance to add to the collection.<\/p>\n

\"JoshPhoto by Cameron Howard\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Bouncing back from a first-half penalty miss, Ajala was \u2018unplayable\u2019 as West Ham\u2019s Under-21s move up to eighth in the Premier League 2 table. <\/p>\n

Speaking to the club\u2019s official website<\/a>, coach Greg Lincoln felt that the 19-year-old used that frustration as fuel when finally breaking the deadlock with an impressive left-footed volley past Ilan Meslier later in the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes real courage to step up and take a penalty, whatever level you play [at],\u201d Lincoln said. \u201cFor me, that\u2019s the test; if you\u2019ve got that confidence and courage to step up and take it. It was a really good penalty. It was an outstanding save [from the experienced Meslier].<\/p>\n

\u201cI just said to him, \u2018[like] all top players, you move on, you\u2019re on to the next moment\u2019. He actually got stronger after that. That wasn\u2019t going to define his game that he played today. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe kept knocking on the door and eventually he got his well-deserved goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ajala and Preston Fearon cannot stop scoring for the Hammers<\/p>\n

That was his 11th in 20 games this season. Eight in his last eleven appearances in league and cup.<\/p>\n

Ajala fired West Ham into the National League Cup final<\/a> a fortnight ago; Lincoln\u2019s youngsters face Boreham Wood on March 17th<\/a>. One year after his brace secured Premier League Cup glory for the Under-18s, it is no wonder the West Ham fans are desperate to see Ajala ink a long-term deal<\/a> and end the speculation for good.<\/p>\n

Who was West Ham\u2019s STAND OUT player at Anfield? \ud83c\udf1f <\/p>\n

Was anyone better than Fernandes?<\/p>\n

\"West <\/p>\n

Defender Ryan Battrum put West Ham ahead again after Leeds levelled at the LNER Community Stadium. Ajala then turned provider for another Hammers kid in fine goalscoring form. <\/p>\n

The \u2018special\u2019 Preston Fearon can\u2019t stop scoring<\/a> these days. This was his ninth of the season, having not found the net even once last term.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was really pleased with our resilience and our perseverance,\u201d adds Lincoln. \u201cWe kept doing the right things. I thought we got stronger as the game went on, created some really good opportunities from fast, free-flowing football and got what we deserved.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever you play against a Leeds team, they\u2019re dogged, hard-working, well-coached, tough to beat. They\u2019re difficult to break down. Obviously, with a senior player in goal as well, they did a great job at keeping the ball out of the net in the early part [of the game].<\/p>\n

\u201cI think [the resilience shown] really epitomises us as a club and us as a group. You can see it through the boys, that togetherness and spirit really comes across with their performances. They\u2019re a really close group. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey help each other, they stick together, and we pride ourselves on that.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a really special group. The players are on the pitch, but I think the staff and everyone behind the scenes are doing all those bits and pieces to really give them that platform to go and perform, and show their level.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a really close-knit group. As I said, we know what we stand for, what we\u2019re about, our values. I think we can be proud of our performances in February, but now it\u2019s our job to keep that on there into March.\u201d<\/p>\n

Join Our Newsletter<\/p>\n

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