West Ham United’s academy players have been given two weeks to convince Nuno Espírito Santo they deserve a place in his Championship squad.
New recruitment director Nils Koppen has reportedly delayed decisions over potential loan moves until the club’s pre-season programme is under way.
Nuno wants to assess the youngsters against Southend United, Stevenage, Rangers and Magdeburg before determining who can support West Ham’s promotion push.
Twelve academy players featured as the Hammers beat Colchester United 3-2 in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday.
Niclas Füllkrug, Maxwel Cornet and Pablo scored, but the involvement of so many young players offered the clearest indication of Nuno’s plans.
Kanté leads the first-team contenders
Mohamadou Kanté appears to have the strongest chance of remaining with the senior squad.
The 20-year-old made 14 first-team appearances last season and featured during the second half against Colchester.
Marseille, Monaco and Lyon are reportedly monitoring Kanté, but West Ham want to retain him. His contract runs until 2031, leaving the club in a strong position.
The midfielder’s opportunity has also increased following Tomáš Souček’s ankle injury.
As Read West Ham reported this week, Souček is expected to miss the beginning of the Championship season after suffering ligament damage at the World Cup.
Uncertainty also surrounds Edson Álvarez and James Ward-Prowse, creating potential openings for Kanté and Lewis Orford.
Orford struggled for minutes during his loan at Stevenage, but Nuno could now reconsider his immediate role.
George Earthy is another player approaching an important decision. The attacking midfielder is entering the final year of his contract after a difficult loan spell with Bristol City.
Earthy operated behind Jarrod Bowen against Colchester and has the coming fixtures to prove he can contribute regularly.
Mayers and Ajala offer different solutions
Ezra Mayers already looks capable of remaining around the senior group.
The 19-year-old was named West Ham’s young player of the year and made six Premier League appearances last season.
His composure and defensive versatility could make him useful across a long Championship campaign.
Joshua Ajala offers an attacking alternative. The England youth international scored regularly for the under-21s and signed a contract until 2028 in March.
West Ham’s official announcement confirmed Ajala’s new deal following his progress through the academy.
Ajala must compete with established forwards, but his pressing and penalty-box movement could earn him opportunities during pre-season.
Goalkeeper Finlay Herrick also has a potential route into the squad.
Łukasz Fabiański has left, while Alphonse Areola could follow. Herrick would therefore have a chance of becoming Mads Hermansen’s understudy, although loan interest remains.
Kaelan Casey may benefit more from another temporary move after gaining League One experience with Leyton Orient.
Callum Marshall’s position appears less promising. The Northern Ireland striker is reportedly outside Nuno’s plans and could be sold before his contract enters its final months.
Keiber Lamadrid, meanwhile, is expected to stay after West Ham activated their option to sign him permanently.
As Read West Ham’s squad guide outlines, relegation has placed greater emphasis on academy players including Kanté, Orford, Earthy and Mayers.
Koppen is refusing to make early loan decisions. The next two weeks will show whether West Ham’s young players can turn that delay into a first-team opportunity.
