West Ham United supporters have been burned before when it comes to prolific youth-team strikers initially tipped for a bright future on the Premier League stage.
Divin Mubama was supposed to follow in the footsteps of Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Declan Rice.
Instead, Manchester City snatched the West Ham sensation during the summer of 2024. And while he proved equally prolific during his debut season in Manchester – 16 goals in 14 Premier League 2 appearances paved the way for a loan spell with Stoke – suggestions that Man City do not view Mubama as a first-team option only add insult to injury for a West Ham United outfit who had big plans for the London-born poacher.
The good news, though, is that Josh Ajala only appears to have eyes for a first-team role under Graham Potter at present.
Josh Ajala during Reading v West Ham United U21 - Bristol Street Motors Trophy
Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty Images
Josh Ajala plans to impress Graham Potter at West Ham United
Ajala took the Declan Rice route in 2023 when he swapped Chelsea for West Ham.
And in his first two years in East London, the England Under-19 international has scored a staggering 40 goals. Two of those came against Reading in April. Josh Ajala was the West Ham hero as they triumphed over Reading in the Under-18 Premier League Cup final.
A winners’ medal, an international bow in England colours, and the Hammers’ most prolific marksman at youth level throughout 2024/25, it’s no wonder Ajala looks back on the season just gone with such fondness.
A senior debut is the next ambition to tick off his footballing bucket list.
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“If I had to rate last season out of ten, I’d probably give it an eight,” a satisfied Ajala tells the official West Ham website.
“Playing internationally was a really big moment for me. It’s something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time. I made my youth international debut for England, won a trophy and was top goalscorer for both teams [Under-18s and Under-21s combined].
“But there’s still more that can happen!
“For any Academy player, training more with the first team is an important step. Hopefully, I can make my first-team debut and try and score for the first-team.
“I just want to be involved with the first-team, I want to play with them. It’s all about playing at the highest level you can possibly play.”
Ajala believes he is getting even better in the Hammers academy
Ajala signed professional terms with West Ham back in 2023, shortly after his departure from Chelsea. He took to Under-21 football like a duck to water last season too, scoring seven times in his first 18 Premier League 2 appearances despite going up against many defenders far further along in their development.
Graham Potter took a closer look at Ezra Mayers recently, while Freddie Potts, Preston Fearon and Lewis Orford have impressed during the pre-season tour of the USA.
Ajala did not travel across the Atlantic. But, maintain his 20-goal-a-season average in claret and blue, and Potter is guaranteed to take note sooner rather than later if he hasn’t already.
“I’ve had opportunities to train with the first team which has been really exciting,” Ajala smiles. “In the first-team, they’ve got a lot of top players and it’s so important we get used to the tempo of how they play.
“Obviously, the physicality is a big factor because they’re all strong. I just want to keep training with them so I can get used to how they play.
“I’d say being involved in those games against men’s teams [at youth level] have been a huge aspect of my development. Knowing how to deal with the teams’ physicality, getting better at holding the ball up as a number nine.
“They’re bigger, stronger, and as young players we need to get used to the physicality of the men’s game to reach the next step.”