One week after Freddie Potts made his long-awaited full Premier League debut, Nuno Espirito Santo is seizing the chance to take a closer look at a few more of West Ham United’s most exciting academy talents.
Understandably, Nuno is keen to keep a lid on expectations surrounding the man at the heart of that 3-1 victory over Newcastle.
Freddie Potts was ‘fantastic’ on his first West Ham start, a delighted head coach admits. But this is also just one game in a long old season.
Alan Pardew may see similarities with Mark Noble, Stuart Pearce may be wondering if West Ham United have unearthed ‘the new Declan Rice’. But the careers of young players are filled with ups, downs, harsh realities and learning curves.
Should Potts struggle against Burnley on Saturday against a man who found himself in a similar position all those years ago – former Hammer Josh Cullen is in top form for Scott Parker ahead of his return to East London – then that Newcastle victory will feel less like a turning point and more a flash in the pan.
Though at least Nuno appears to be embracing the club’s tradition for promoting from within.
Ahead of that Burnley clash, West Ham’s official website published a series of photos from their Rush Green training ground. And, among the more familiar faces of Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta, can be spotted the teenage defensive duo of Airidas Golambeckis and Ezra Mayers.
Airidas Golambeckis during Manchester City U21 v West Ham U21 - Premier League 2
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Airidas Golambeckis and Ezra Mayers in West Ham United training
The Hammers have been handing out new contracts like kind-hearted neighbours on a night of a thousand Trick or Treaters, of late. Determined to tie down their very best up-and-comers.
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Mohamadou Kante signed a new deal at Rush Green last week. Followed, a few days later, by the prolific Josh Landers.
Academy Manager Kenny Brown talked up Ezra Mayers’s prospects when he too put pen to paper, while sporting director Mark Noble is confident Airidas Golambeckis may force his way into Nuno’s plans at some point in the not-too-distant future.
The predictions of Brown and Noble feel especially prescient now.
Wearing numbers 63 and 58 respectively, Mayers and Golambeckis could both be spotted taking part in first-team training.
At this stage, neither 18-year-old has made an appearance for the senior squad. A place on the bench against Burnley may be on the cards, though, after Nuno confirmed that West Ham picked up a few injury concerns on the back of that Newcastle victory.
Konstantinos Mavropanos is already unavailable, leaving the Hammers one centre-back light.
“Some of them unfortunately [picked up injuries against Newcastle],” Nuno said during his press conference. “After a football match, there is always knocks, problems that we have to deal with in the week. Let’s see. We still have tomorrow.
“I cannot confirm [which players are doubts], and I don’t want to go much further on that, if you understand.”
Mark Noble is excited about Under-21 captain Golambeckis
This is not the first time Mayers has been drafted into first-team training. Graham Potter gave Mayers the chance to impress during pre-season.
Golambeckis, meanwhile, is arguably the most highly-rated of this current crop.
Golambeckis emulated Declan Rice when he was handed the captaincy at Under-21 level before his 18th birthday.
Noble, a former skipper for both the first team and the reserves, cannot speak highly enough of a teenager who has already made a name for himself thanks to his leadership skills as well as his defensive qualities.
West Ham United is delighted to announce that Academy of Football defender Airidas Golambeckis has signed a new contract with the Club until the summer of 2029 ✍️
A great way to celebrate your 18th, Airidas 🎈
— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 4, 2025
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“It’s a credit to all departments in the Academy to have another player who has come through every single age group,” Noble told the West Ham website this week after Golambeckis extended his contract until the summer of 2029.
“We identified how good he was pretty quickly, and the fact he played in the FA Youth Cup as a schoolboy is a great indicator on his potential.
“He’s a great kid and a top player. Being captain of our Under-21s team at such a young age is a real honour, but he’s still got loads to learn. He’s another one that we’ve got real high hopes for. We would like to see him in our first team squad soon and I really believe he’s got a chance.”