Both Mohamadou Kante and Keiber Lamadrid were rewarded with first starts for West Ham United’s senior side in the FA Cup victory over Burton Albion. Preston Fearon, though, could consider himself a little unfortunate.
In the build-up to that narrow 1-0 win at the Pirelli Stadium – Nuno needed an ‘unstoppable’ Crysencio Summerville to spare his blushes – Hammers News compiled a list of four players we felt could be in contention for a starting berth.
And, at the risk of tooting our own horn, three of them did.
What do you notice about Keiber Lamadrid’s FIRST West Ham goal? ⚽ 🇻🇪
He looks pretty special, doesn't he…
Adama Traore made his full debut after arriving from Fulham, while Nuno gave chances to Kante and Lamadrid. But Preston Fearon, another young talent who has blossomed at Premier League 2 level, wasn’t even on the bench.
Maybe he should be, when West Ham United face Brentford in round five.
Because while French powerhouse Kante has earned comparisons to Patrick Vieira, while Venezuelan whizzkid Lamadrid marked his Hammers reserve-team debut with a stunning strike a few weeks ago, Fearon has been quietly and efficiently growing his skillset and honing his influence.
Preston Fearon has added goals to his game at West Ham United
Preston Fearon during the Premier League Summer Series Manchester United vs West Ham United
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 19-year-old’s mesmerising close control and his penchant for a cheeky nutmeg ensured he caught the eye a long time ago.
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Last summer, when making his first appearance for the seniors against Manchester United in pre-season, captain Jarrod Bowen admitted Fearon had embarrassed even him with one of those silky shimmys on the training pitch.
”He’s a special player,” Bowen smiled. “I’m surprised he didn’t nutmeg anyone [vs the Red Devils], because I’ve never seen someone nutmeg so many people in training.
“He’s done it to me a couple of times as well!
“I’ll let him off, because he’s a special player, and a really good person as well. He’s really grounded, and he really wants to work hard.”
That prodigious work ethic is certainly paying off. Fearon, in the space of a few months, has blossomed from a stylish, velvety central midfielder into a fairly-prolific goalscorer.
He did not find the net even once across 23 appearances for the Under-18s and the Under-21s last season. This term, though, he has eight goals in 29 games. Another string to the bow, and a useful knack which arguably sees him rival Kante as the most complete, all-round midfielder in West Ham’s academy today.
Mark Noble thinks Fearon has what it takes to make it in the Premier League
Fearon’s fifth of the Premier League 2 campaign was a goal reminiscent of a seasoned box-crasher. Say, for instance, Upton Park graduate Frank Lampard. Arriving late at the edge of the box, he effortlessly swept home into the bottom corner to put the bells on a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Two of his eight goals came in a 5-0 shellacking of Chelsea on the other side of Christmas. His first of the night epitomised the new-found poacher’s streak in the teenager’s game.
A spilled shot from the Blues goalkeeper, and there was Fearon, loitering like a number nine to convert.
‘Special’ Preston Fearon is adding goals to his game! 😮💨
How do you see his West Ham career developing?
Preston Fearon of West Ham United U21 in action during the Vertu Trophy match between Milton Keynes Dons and West Ham United U21at Stadium mk on September 16, 2025 in Milton Keynes, England.
When Fearon signed a new deal until the summer of 2028 in October, sporting director Mark Noble highlighted his ‘vision’ while raving about his ‘very clever’ use of the ball. Tellingly, the legendary skipper made no mention of Fearon’s ability to get into the box and convert chances.
Four months and five goals later, one suspects Noble’s anticipation is only growing.
“Preston’s come really far, he’s a fantastic young player,” Noble said at the time. “His vision is second to none. He knows his pass. He’s athletic. A very clever player.
“I always say to the Academy boys, ‘you don’t get many chances at first-team level because the quality is that strong in the Premier League. Once you get a chance, you’ve got to take it’.
“I believe Preston has got a chance, I really do.
“I want the boys to not become complacent after signing a new contract. I want to push them to the next level. Never take it for granted, they’ve got to work hard to play for West Ham. You’ve got to stay hungry and it’s down to us to keep them hungry and keep pushing them.
“[But Fearon] has got all the ingredients to be a top player and I look forward to seeing him continue pushing towards first-team football.”
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