George Earthy backed for West Ham United breakthrough after what’s happened this summer
West Ham United youngster George Earthy has been backed by The Athletic for a breakout 2024/25 campaign after being heavily involved in pre-season this summer.
Earthy made headlines towards the end of last season for fulfilling a “lifelong dream” of scoring in the Premier League for his boyhood club, and Caiomhe O’Neill [14 August] has touted the teenager as the team’s player to watch.
The attacking midfielder scored in just his second league appearance for the Hammers and was considered the last gem to be unearthed into the fold by David Moyes before his departure, more recently performing well in pre-season under Julen Lopetegui.
O’Neill wrote: “[Earthy’s] strike against Luton Town at the London Stadium in the last home game of the season was a moment he had been building towards for the last 13 years at the club’s academy.
“After the game, he was given the Mark Noble Young Hammer of the Year award and David Moyes, having managed his penultimate game, praised the boyhood fan who had ticked off a lifelong dream.
“Earthy, 19, is an attack-minded midfielder who has impressed at every age group for West Ham and his regular involvement on the recent pre-season tour of the US bodes well ahead of the upcoming campaign.”
Earthy set for big season away from West Ham
Last season showed that Earthy – at least fleetingly – can have an impact in the Premier League and in cup competitions for West Ham.
One thing ascertained in the past few months is he has the confidence and self-belief to excel in the same way many local lads have done before him, going on to have stellar careers both in and out of claret and blue.
Recently, Earthy has been strongly rumoured to be a loan target for Bristol City among others in the Championship, which could turn out to be an excellent move in terms of senior experience at a high level [ExWHUemployee, 13 August].
He was in attendance at Ashton Gate to watch the Robins’ defeat to Coventry City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night [BristolLive, 13 August], and manager Liam Manning worked with Earthy during his time coaching in the academy setup at Rush Green.
Whether the Irons elect to keep him in the fold this season or, most likely now, loan him out likely depends on an evaluation of the squad due to the high turnover of players at the club this summer, although a quick loan with a recall option may be ideal.
Earthy, an England Under-20 international, can without a doubt raise even more eyebrows this season and with the number of loan suitors interested in taking him this year, the interest he could attract in 12 months’ time may force his boyhood club to lucratively tie him down longer-term.
In other West Ham news, a Barcelona stalwart is set to decide his next move soon with the club interested.
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