With the domestic football season over, we could divert our attention to the Under 21 European Championships from mid to late June. This is the perfect arena for Europe’s hottest prospects to showcase their ability in a highly competitive environment and impress on the big stage. It also could be an opportunity for clubs like West Ham to scout for potential incoming young players. Here, I will assess some key players to keep an eye on in each of the eight teams competing in the tournament.
Czech Republic
In searching for a right back, we have come across Sparta Prague’s Pavel Kaderabek. The 23 year-old has been linked with a move to West Ham and Southampton in recent weeks and has been capped 7 times by the senior team. Kaderabek, however, is probably seen as somewhat of a contingency plan should we fail to secure our first choice options.
We could alternatively consider Tomas Kalas of Chelsea. Although he is unlikely to break into the first team if he were to join us on loan, he would provide decent back-up for both centre back and right back positions.
Ladislav Krejci could be the main man for the host nation this year. The left-sided winger is an exciting prospect and could leave Sparta Prague to play in a better league next year. At just 22 years of age, he could be a shrewd piece of business at the right price.
Denmark
Towering centre back Jannik Vestergaard has been subject to recent attention from Everton but could prove to be a useful player for the Hammers. At 22 years of age, the Werder Bremen man would be a youthful addition to our defensive ranks.
21 year-old winger-come-striker Viktor Fischer would be an ambitious target as a statement of intent. The Ajax forward has attracted all of Europe’s giants and would probably not favour a move to West Ham but there might just be the slimmest possibility of a deal.
A more realistic target would be Yussuf Poulsen of RB Leipzig. The 20 year-old operates as a winger or behind the striker and has an impressive goalscoring record in the second tier of German football. Whether or not that is transferrable to the Premier League remains to be seen but he is still young and is showing bags of potential.
Germany
Although goalkeeper might not be our most pressing concern at the moment, Timo Horn is a name to consider as a long-term stopper for us. With almost 100 Bundesliga appearances already for FC Koln, the 22 year-old is showing all the signs of becoming a top ‘keeper. He is currently being targeted by Aston Villa and he would not be cheap, but he is worth keeping in mind for the future.
Leonardo Bittencourt is only 21 but has over 100 league appearances in Germany to his name and is impressing on the wing for Hannover 96. Manchester United are sniffing around the youngster and he would be a good addition seen as we need to strengthen our wide men.
Arsenal’s youngster Serge Gnabry is a terrific prospect but is finding regular game time hard to come by at Arsenal. With a loan spell inevitably impending, Upton Park could be his first port of call. The opportunity to play European football and push for a starting place in a Premier League side could appeal to the 19 year-old winger.
Serbia
Srdan Mijailovic may only be 21 years old but he has three full years of first team football under his belt for Red Star Belgrade and then Kayserispor. The deep-lying midfielder is well regarded by followers of Turkish football so he may be of interest to Slaven Bilic if we hire him as manager.
Borussia Dortmund do not use Milos Jojic too frequently so the 23 year-old might fancy a switch away from the German giants. Jojic would fill the vacancy of creative midfielder and it will be interesting to see how he does at the Championships.
22 year-old winger Filip Kostic is one of the most promising young players at the tournament. Stuttgart’s winger has bags of league experience and a keen eye for goal. Kostic would probably cost us about £5m, which is not too outrageous considering his potential.
England
Carl Jenkinson is the most obvious name that springs to mind here. The Arsenal right back spent last season on loan with us and had a fantastic season. Most Hammers would like him to return but Arsenal might be reluctant to sell him or his asking price might be too high for us.
Ben Gibson is a 22 year-old defender from Middlesbrough who operates primarily at centre back but can play at left back too. He has enjoyed a successful year at the heart of the Boro defence and would be useful back-up if he is not too expensive.
Nathaniel Chalobah has not lived up to the meteoric hype and expectation initially surrounding him. However, at just 20 years of age, he still has plenty to offer for the future. Chelsea might look to loan him out to a Premier League side or sell him but would he be worth the gamble?
Italy
Roma’s Alessio Romagnoli can play at centre back or left back and is displaying plenty of potential despite his tender age. He spent last season on loan helping Sampdoria to a successful campaign. The 20 year-old would not be a cheap option but a loan deal is possible with Roma’s depth of defensive talent.
The papers have recently linked us with Lazio’s midfielder Danilo Cataldi. The 20 year old has reportedly turned down a move though, in favour of staying in Serie A to develop his game. Cataldi has also attracted Arsenal.
Another young Italian midfielder to consider is Lorenzo Crisetig. The central midfielder spent last season on loan at Cagliari and will probably be loaned out by parent club Inter Milan again next season. The 22 year-old would add an alternative dimension to our midfield as we look to bolster that position for our European campaign.
Portugal
Joao Cancelo probably has bigger fish to fry than West Ham but you never know. The 21 year-old is thought of as one of Europe’s finest youngsters. With Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona all scrapping for the Valencia right back, though, it looks unlikely that we would even be considered.
A more viable option is Portugal’s other full back Raphael Guerreiro. We have previously flirted with the Lorient left back who has 2 international caps and 1 goal already to his name. The 21 year-old can also play as a left midfielder.
Rafa Silva has been turning heads in the Premier League too and the 22 year-old winger could be leaving Braga for England this summer. With 3 international caps to his name already, Silva would be a coup for West Ham but a likely asking price of £15m will probably favour admirers Manchester United and Southampton.
Sweden
Centre back Alexander Milosevic could follow Slaven Bilic to West Ham if the Croat becomes West Ham’s next manager. The 23 year-old played was signed by Bilic and is rated at £3.5m. He is also able to play at left back and Arsenal have also been reportedly interested.
Robin Quaison is a lesser-known exciting prospect plying his trade in Serie A with Palermo. The 21 year-old is a skilful, talented winger with an eye for goal and has already played 5 times for the senior Sweden side. Having previously caught the eye of QPR and Ajax, we could play the European football card to try to tempt Quaison over to East London.
John Guidetti will become a free agent when his contract with Manchester City expires this summer and the 23 year-old could be an effective piece of business. Twice capped by the senior side, Guidetti enjoyed a reasonably successful loan spell at Celtic last season and would add competition and depth to our front line.
