Credit: Imago

James Barker

Fri 17 April 2026 7:10, UK

Ezra Mayers may find it difficult to break into West Ham United‘s starting XI over the coming years if Konstantinos Mavropanos signs a new contract.

The 19-year-old defender has been with West Ham since the age of nine, and has been turning heads in the Academy of Football ever since.

After rising through the youth ranks, Mayers has taken his first steps into the world of senior football with the Hammers in 2025-26.

So far this season he’s made 10 total appearances in all competitions, and has even registered his first goal contribution at first-team level against Burton Albion in the FA Cup.

As such, Mayers looks to have a big future at the London Stadium, and could soon develop into a big transfer asset for West Ham as well.

What has been said about Konstantinos Mavropanos contract?

However, Mayers’ pathway to more regular first-team football could be about to get more complicated.

West Ham have been urged to hand Mavropanos a new deal, despite the fact the Greek international is contracted with the Hammers until the summer of 2028.

The 28-year-old central defender has been integral to West Ham ever since he signed in the summer of 2023, but there have been question marks over whether he’d be prepared to commit his future to the Club given their current situation.

But, according to ExWHUEmployee via a report from The West Ham Way, it’s claimed that Mavropanos is set to ink a new long-term contract.

“West Ham are readying a new deal for Mavropanos following his personally impressive season,” ExWHUEmployee is quoted as saying.

“The club feel he’s now stepping up into a more senior role within the squad under Nuno, and it’s felt he deserves to be rewarded now as a higher profile player.”

Mayers may not get starting role as quickly if Mavropanos signs

So, with Mavropanos still only 28 and in the prime of his career, getting him to sign a new long-term contract would be massive news for West Ham.

But when it comes to Mayers’ own ascension through the West Ham first-team pecking order, that could make his progress a lot slower, especially if the team stay up this season.

West Ham look sure to explore a permanent deal for Axel Disasi this summer, and Jean-Clair Todibo is also contracted until 2029, and likely won’t be going anywhere anytime soon so long as the Hammers are a Premier League side.

Therefore, Mayers might have to remain more patient than what he perhaps would ideally like, as given how impressive he’s been when handed the opportunity this season, the teenager may have been targeting a starting role from 2026-27 onwards.

That could still be the case, but if Mavropanos is still around and there isn’t a mass exodus of central defenders, Mayers may have to wait a little longer to achieve that.