Divin Mubama could contemplate West Ham United exit in January after first-team development – Claret and Hugh
West Ham United academy star Divin Mubama may be contemplating the possibility of quitting in the January transfer, according to Claret & Hugh.
The reliable Hammers journalists (3 November) shared that the youngster has been pushed further down the striker pecking order after Moyes’ selection decision in the 3-1 EFL Cup win over Arsenal on Wednesday (1 November).
The West Ham sensation was supposed to be third choice after Michail Antonio and Danny Ings, but Moyes’ decision to play Jarrod Bowen up front with Mohammed Kudus in a supporting role implies a severely diminished role.
“The role of Hammers’ backup striker was assigned to Danny Ings, who fulfilled this role in less demanding games and as a regular substitute. Then there was Mubama, who probably needed both Ings and Antonio to face injuries and some miraculous alignment of the stars to have a shot at first-team action.
“Now, it seems Mubama has fallen to the fourth position in the striker pecking order, which significantly diminishes his chances of playing, regardless of the circumstances.
“This change in his status is primarily due to the deployment of Jarrod Bowen as a striker with Mohammed Kudus in a supporting role. It’s highly likely that the Bowen/Kudus combination will become David Moyes’ first choice, which implies a diminished role for everyone else, including Mubama.
“This development is undoubtedly challenging for Mubama, who must be contemplating his departure from West Ham more seriously than ever before.”
Take the hint
The Athletic journalist, Roshane Thomas shared on his personal Twitter account on Monday 30 October that the young striker has rejected a contract extension at the London Stadium but the East Londoners are still trying to convince him to stay.
It’s believed that Mubama had interest from six unnamed Championship clubs in the summer but with West Ham failing to sign a striker, they decided to keep him in Moyes’ squad for this season.
The England Under-19 forward is yet to feature in the league and was not in the matchday squad for the 1-0 loss to Everton on Saturday or the EFL Cup clash v Arsenal — only playing 24 minutes of first-team football this season under Moyes so far.
And after Moyes’ decision not to include him in the squad against the Gunners and instead deploy Bowen as the central striker with Mubama not even given a look in, that could well force the youngster to take the hint regarding his first-team opportunities.
If the Hammers somehow hope to change his mind about moving then they’ve simply got to give him opportunities or face the prospect of losing such another burgeoning young youth talent.
They’ve already lost a number of them this year, it would be catastrophic if they lose arguably their biggest academy talent since Declan Rice so early in his career.
In other West Ham news, Simon Jordan and Danny Murphy clashed live on air over Rice’s return to the London Stadium