Danny Mills left ‘buzzing’ by rarely seen West Ham ace after Monday outing
Danny Mills has claimed that West Ham youngster Jeremy Ngakia will have supporters “buzzing” after making his breakthrough into the first team.
The 19-year-old made his second Premier League appearance of the season for the Hammers during the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool on Monday evening – with his debut also coming against the Red at the end of January.
And Mills was suitably impressed with what he saw from the teenager.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I think sometimes when you throw young players in or give players their debut it is a bit of a buzz.
“It was Tanganga when he came in for Spurs, when he played against Liverpool, they rise to the challenge and you often get that with new players, debutants – the adrenaline.
“You are buzzing, you have an extra 10% energy and concentration is at its peak. It is maintaining it over the course of the game.
“Moyes probably thought he needed legs and pace because if Zabaleta could get caught out. Someone could run the legs off him and that would create its own problems.”
How good was Ngakia on Monday night?
Talk about a baptism of fire.
Making your Premier League debut against Liverpool is bad enough, but then following that up with a second appearance against the Reds is bordering on the ridiculous.
Ngakia handled it well though.
In some respects, this was a free hit for everybody involved.
Nobody really expected a result at Anfield – although it was still galling to throw away a lead in the closing stages – and few people would have blamed Ngakia for struggling.
But he stepped up to the plate well.
The teenager won 16 out of his 19 defensive duels, made three out of three sliding tackles, as well as a massive six clearances, as per Wyscout.
He looked impressive, and can hopefully carry this one in the absence of Ryan Fredericks.
In other West Ham news, Report: Moyes desperately wants centre back in east London next season.