McAvennie: Aji Alese must be ‘Exceptional’ if he breaks into West Ham first-team
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie claims Craig Dawson should take Aji Alese under his wing to help the young West Ham centre-back improve his chances of getting into the first-team.
Alese, 20, signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with the Hammers earlier this week with the deal also including an option for an extra 12 months.
West Ham also added on their website that Alese has been on the books at the club since he was seven-years-old and he’s currently progressing well on loan at League Two club Cambridge United.
In an exclusive interview with West Ham Zone, McAvennie suggested it would be tough for Alese to break into David Moyes’ senior squad.
However, he adds that current loan star Dawson could aid the 20-year-old’s development if the Watford loanee is signed permanently.
“I don’t know what mould he’s in but if he’s in the same mould as Dawson, get a year or two training with him and he can take his place,” ex-West Ham striker McAvennie said.
“Dawson’s such a wonderful player and a pro that he can teach him. He can be that sort of influence for the new boys coming in who have got a future. Dawson can help him.
“There are some decent centre-halves at West Ham now so if he breaks into the first-team then he must be exceptional.”
Alese’s already made one senior appearance for the Irons when he played all 90 minutes of a 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Hull City this season.
Since joining Cambridge on February 1, the young centre-half has played two in League Two, with only one of them being a start.
While Alese is getting in the League Two side’s matchday squad regularly, his loan spell there might not be as beneficial as the Hammers made out in their statement about his development.
Still, Alese’s only young and is clearly on Moyes’ radar considering he played him in the Carabao Cup this season.
In other West Ham news, Gareth Southgate has been raving about Jesse Lingard after he was called up to England duty.