George Earthy transfer plea made to incoming West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui
Frank McAvennie has pleaded with Julen Lopetegui not to loan out West Ham United youngster George Earthy.
The 19-year-old made his return from a head injury in the Hammers’ final home game of the season against Luton Town and scored his first senior goal for the club in the 3-1 win.
And McAvennie – speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone – was impressed by what he saw of the teenager and hopes Lopetegui gives him a chance next season.
“It’s good to see some youngsters coming through and scoring and doing alright,” McAvennie said. “The crowd loved it [when Earthy scored against Luton]. We want to see [young] players, we’ve not had that for a while now. I know it was the last home game so [Moyes] put him on.
“He couldn’t believe it, the young boy, couldn’t believe he’d scored, it’s like a dream come true – said he’d been dreaming about that since he was five. It’s incredible to see that.
“I’d heard that there was a boy coming through, and it was him. I tell you what, he doesn’t look short on confidence, does he?
“The run that he made was great, timed it perfectly to get across. So, as a striker, I’d give him 10 out of 10 for that. I was talking to Tony Cottee about it, it was a great run.
“Fair play, he’s just got to keep going – don’t put him out on loan, put him in and keep giving him a game [or two]. I think the new manager may bring him in – if he sees him, he won’t care how old he is. If he’s doing better at training than the rest of the strikers, he’ll put him in, I would think.
“We’ll see, I don’t think David [Moyes] liked putting youngsters in. I mean, he did, but not enough for me.”
Could George Earthy break into West Ham United’s first team next season?
Based on how impressive his brief cameos off the bench have been this season, it is not impossible that Earthy is given a role in the senior squad next season.
It is unlikely that he would immediately establish himself as a regular starter, with a squad role more likely – but stranger things have happened and reputations can skyrocket.
However, it is equally plausible that Lopetegui feels the teenager’s development is best served by a full season of regular football elsewhere on loan. It remains to be seen what decision the Spaniard will make after casting his eye over Earthy in pre-season.
In other West Ham news, the prospect of Daniel Kretinsky staging a full takeover at the Hammers has been evaluated amid a £3.5billion development.
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