BBC journalist moots Divin Mubama start v Backa Topola, shares why West Ham United ace hasn’t signed new contract
Divin Mubama “must be in contention” to play for West Ham in their clash with Backa Topola, according to BBC journalist Simon Stone.
The striker was a 62nd-minute substitute against Burnley on Saturday (25 November), and forced Clarets man Dara O’Shea into a late own goal.
The Hammers won the Premier League clash 2-1, and now face Backa Topola in the Europa League on Thursday (30 November).
“West Ham teenager Divin Mubama made quite an introduction at Burnley on Saturday,” Stone wrote for BBC Sport. “Many Hammers fans have been demanding Mubama got his chance after excelling in the club’s FA Youth Cup triumph last season.
“The fact he hasn’t has been cited as one of the reasons why the 19-year-old is yet to sign an extension to his contract, which expires in the summer.
“It remains to be seen whether Jarrod Bowen is fit for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Serbia to face Backa Topola but Mubama must be in contention.”
Rare start incoming?
Despite impressing many West Ham supporters last season during his brief time on the pitch, Mubama has essentially been frozen out by manager David Moyes this time around.
The 19-year-old made his first Premier League appearance of the season at Turf Moor on Saturday, playing just under 30 minutes in the victory.
The striker has featured for just a handful of minutes in this season’s Europa League, while he was given 24 mintues in the League Cup win against Lincoln City.
Given the lack of attacking options at the East London club, it certainly seems strange that Moyes has not used Mubama more often.
Gianluca Scamacca left in the summer transfer window, while Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen are currently out injured. Danny Ings meanwhile has not been scoring goals, yet Moyes has given young striker Mubama the cold shoulder.
But after impressing against Burnley and having a vital impact, the teenager may just get the nod from the first whistle later this week.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers want to sign one Ukraine sensation in 2024, with an exit “widely expected.”