David Gold reacts as Armstrong Okoflex bags hat-trick for West Ham under-23s
West Ham co-owner David Gold was impressed after Armstrong Okoflex grabbed a hat-trick for the under-23s against Crystal Palace on Monday night.
The Hammers youth team blew their London counterparts away yesterday (6 December), securing a 4-2 victory to maintain their position at the top of the league, and Gold took to his personal Twitter account to heap praise on the teenager.
Okoflex, 19, has 10 goals in 13 games for the under-23s this term, and he has proven to be an inspired addition to the side since joining from Celtic in June.
Gold said: “Congratulations, Armstrong, well done, lads.”
Time for first-team action?
Okoflex is yet to make his debut for David Moyes’ men, but the winger could be getting closer after his heroics for the under-23s.
He signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year when he moved to the London Stadium side, and he will be eager to break into the first-team very soon.
The Irishman hit the ground running with the Hammers youth team, scoring a hat-trick in his Premier League 2 debut against Arsenal in a 6-1 home win in August.
West Ham could do with more attacking options heading into the second half of the campaign, and with Said Benrahma headed to the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria in January, Okoflex could be getting some minutes to impress.
With four competitions to play in the early months of 2022, Moyes needs to strengthen his side’s attacking depth, and while he would love to make signings when the winter transfer window opens, nothing is guaranteed.
Okoflex might just be the answer, and while senior football is different from what he is used to, he has shown that he has the potential, and it could be time to take the punt on him.
In other West Ham news, an amazing attacker is making personal arrangements for Hammers switch in January.
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