West Ham back to drawing board as official announcement confirms end of transfer agreement
West Ham have a big decision to make regarding the future of Lewis Orford as the start of the January transfer window closes in.
Orford completed a loan move to Stevenage at the start of September, making the drop down to League One in the search for more first-team experience.
Back in January, Orford made his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace, and the midfielder followed it up with another substitute appearance against Chelsea a month later.
However, the 19-year-old has struggled this season while on loan and has now given Nuno Espirito Santo a new issue to deal with.
Stevenage cut Lewis Orford loan short
Stevenage announced on Wednesday that Orford has now returned to West Ham, with his loan spell at the League One side officially being cut short.
The Hammers academy graduate made just one league appearance for Alex Revell’s side, coming off the bench for the final 17 minutes of a 1-0 defeat to Reading on 6 November.
Orford, who has experience as part of the England youth set-up, did play the full 90 minutes in a Vertu Trophy clash against Crystal Palace Under-21s, scoring once and picking up two assists.
His only other appearance for Stevenage came off the bench in the FA Cup, as the third division outfit were beaten 1-0 by Chesterfield.
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West Ham must get next Lewis Orford loan right
West Ham were hoping for a repeat of Freddie Potts’ successful Wycombe loan in the 2023-24 campaign with Orford, but the reality couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Stevenage currently sit top of League One, and their success has come at the detriment of the 19-year-old, who simply couldn’t find a way into the team.
Now, Nuno and the Hammers’ academy staff must make the correct decision regarding Orford in January, to ensure his development isn’t restricted once more.
The Englishman may attract loan interest from clubs further down the table in League One, or alternatively he could drop down to League Two to guarantee himself some game time in the second half of the campaign.
Either way, this is a decision West Ham chiefs cannot afford to get wrong.
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