Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Mon 16 March 2026 20:10, UK

West Ham United could turn to Ryan Battrum before the end of the campaign, given his performances in the Premier League 2.

Whether it be Josh Ajala, Preston Fearon or Mohamadou Kante, West Ham have a series of youngsters who look ready to make their mark at senior level.

And despite very rarely being talked about, Battrum is another who could make the step up soon and have a role to play under Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 20-year-old is a right-back by trade, and his defensive stats throughout the current campaign are not something that should be overlooked by Nuno in West Ham’s battle against relegation.

What is Ryan Battrum’s best attribute?

Battrum has been with West Ham since 2021 and has been a staple of the Under-21 team since 2023.

The 20-year-old has four goals and two assists in all competitions this season, which is impressive in itself, but it is his defensive numbers which have caught the eye.

Battrum has won 20 aerial duels this season in the Premier League 2, which places him in the top 1.4 per cent of defenders in the division.

On top of that, he has completed 19 interceptions in his 15 appearances, which is the best of any defender this season.

The defender comes out on top in 49.6 per cent of his total duels, again showcasing the strengths he has off the ball.

Where else can Battrum play for West Ham?

Aside from his defensive capabilities, Battrum has also showcased a high level of versatility, which always bodes well for players of a similar age.

While a lot of his appearances this season have come in West Ham’s backline, he has also shown his ability to play in a right midfield position.

In fact, with 22 appearances there in his career, that is actually his most used position, with right-back a close second

Ironically, Battrum has also played as a striker once in his career, though that was certainly more of a case of needs must as opposed to utilising his strengths.