There will be big changes at West Ham United over the next few transfer window.
Graham Potter is planing a big rebuild at West Ham this summer, and there will be plenty of players heading for the exit door.
Funds are tight at the club, so Graham Potter will have to be thrifty with his player recruitment at West Ham.
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
There may be a few surprise exits, but we all have to realise that there simply aren’t any players like Mark Noble anymore, apart from extremely rare cases.
Noble remained with the Hammers for his entire career, but could we ever see that happen again with any of our current crop of players?
Lewis Orford makes bold claim about his West Ham future
West Ham youngster Lewis Orford has really jumped up a level over the past 12 months.
He’s regularly been a part of first-team training under Potter and Julen Lopetegui before him, and he has played 47 minutes for West Ham in the Premier League as well (Transfermarkt).
Lewis Orford could save West Ham millions in the transfer market in years to come.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
But what does the future really hold for Orford?
Well, he made it very clear where he sees his future, when speaking to the club’s official website:
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
“I grew up watching Mark Noble, so he’s obviously a massive inspiration for me.” “I want to get to that level and hopefully just stay here forever, really.“
Described as ‘unbelievable’ by the Hammers’ official website, Orford certainly has incredible talent.
Does he actually have the so-called ‘special sauce’ needed to make it at the very highest level of the game though?
That remains to be seen, but if I’m being honest, I just can’t see it. I’m aware that sounds harsh but you have to be such a special talent to make it at any level of football now, let alone the Premier League.
What Mark Noble has said about Lewis Orford
Noble spoke to the official West Ham website after Orford put pen to paper on a new five-year contract in 2024.
The former Hammers skipper raved about the teenage midfielder:
“I’ve known Lewis for a long time. I’ve watched him train and play as a kid. He’s a fantastic passer of the ball. And what excites me is that he’s still got so much to learn.
“It’s crucial that we continue to provide the best possible pathways for our young talent. It’s a tradition of the Club. We’ve got such a good crop of talent coming through, and it’s so important that these boys see their future with us.”
I’m really pulling for Lewis Orford, and am desperate for him to succeed at West Ham.
Mark Noble clearly thinks he has a chance of doing just that.
Now we will have to wait and see how the 19-year-old develops over the next few years.