As one door closes at West Ham United, a window of opportunity opens up for one of the most talented youngsters at Graham Potter’s disposal.
Following in the footsteps of Declan Rice and co, Ollie Scarles was named West Ham’s Young Player of the Year on Monday.
A fitting reward for a fine breakout campaign in which, after making his Premier League debut in December, the teenage left-back established himself as a genuine first-team option under Graham Potter.
Scarles caught Potter’s eye on the training pitch and, despite some iffy moments and one particularly haunting afternoon up against a formidable Mo Salah, the 2023 FA Youth Cup winner will go into pre-season looking forward to an even greater role in 2025/26.
Because, as Aaron Cresswell says goodbye, next season may be the year when Ollie Scarles really secures himself a starting spot in the West Ham United XI.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Ollie Scarles says goodbye to West Ham United hero Aaron Cresswell
Speaking after picking up the Young Player of the Year gong, Scarles acknowledges the hole Cresswell’s departure will create in the Hammers dressing room.
The teenager is also keen to keep in touch with a man 16 years his senior, his experience invaluable for a young player at the complete other end of that footballing journey.
“I’m really sad to see Aaron go,” Scarles admits. “He’s been so good for me and helped me settle into the squad and always been there for advice, for a chat. Even in the games that I’ve been playing, he’s always been behind me and supporting me and talking me through the game.
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“He’s an inspiration for me. Hopefully, I can keep in touch with him wherever he goes next.”
Cresswell bids farewell as his Hammers deal runs out
Cresswell joins Vladimir Coufal and Lukasz Fabianski in departing this summer, alongside seldom-seen centre-forward Danny Ings. Between them, the long-serving trio made over 750 appearances in the claret and blue shirt.
And, with reports suggesting West Ham could sell Emerson Palmieri too, it remains to be seen if the London Stadium outfit plan to bring in an expensive replacement or instead hand the keys to Scarles full-time.
Napoli left-back Mathias Olivera was linked with West Ham last week, by reports in Italy.
“I hope, one day, I’ll be sat in the stands watching West Ham back in Europe with the fans who have given me so much love and support,” Cresswell tells the club’s website in an emotional farewell message.
“I’d like to think I’ve gone out and trained the best I could every day, to the best of my ability, and that’s how I want to be remembered – for doing the right things.
“I really don’t know the right words to end on, but I think the one that stands out is ‘grateful’. To have been on this journey for eleven years, I’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped me get this far, and helped me along the way. I am so grateful and appreciative.
“But I’m not closing the book. I’ll never walk away. Once you’re in the West Ham family, you’re in for life, and I’m sure I’ll be back.”