West Ham youngster Dan Chesters praised for ‘very bright’ start to loan spell
Dan Chesters made his first start for Colchester United on the weekend since joining the League Two side on loan from West Ham in the summer.
Chesters spent 12 years with West Ham during his youth, first joining the club academy in 2009. He made one appearance for the Hammers in October 2021, when he came on as a late substitute v Genk in the Europa League.
Having then fallen back down the pecking order at the London Stadium, Chesters made a move to Colchester United in the summer, and he was awarded his first start on the weekend.
Chesters wasn’t able to prevent Colchester United from losing 1-0 to Rochdale, but interim manager Steve Ball delivered a promising review of his performance.
“I thought he was very bright,” Ball told The Gazette.
“Dan has come into the group and this was his first start.
“I thought he made an impact and for the new manager that comes in, Dan I’m sure will be a really strong option off that right side.”
Promising update
It’s always great to hear promising updates on the club’s youth players, especially those that spent so long in the club academy.
Chesters was given a taste of first-team football by David Moyes last season, and it’s clearly spurred him on to find a club that can offer him more game time.
Strong performances and quotes like this from your manager is a great way for Chesters to keep his name in Moyes’ mind, he just needs to add consistency to his game and keep gaining experience.
At 20 years old, Chesters is perhaps on the older side of youth talents hoping to come through to the West Ham first team, but it’s never too late to make an impression.
A strong season in League Two will give him loan opportunities higher up the pyramid next season, and perhaps even some opportunities with the West Ham first team.