3 Minute read
08/06/2021 | 6:18 pm
West Ham United are about to make their first summer signing, albeit one for the youth …
What is the word
Last week, the ever-reliable ExWHU agent claimed the Irons would sign Pierre Ekwah Elimby in the next few days. He told his Patreon side:
“Pierre Ekwah Elimby, who was on trial for Chelsea at West Ham, is hoping to secure a move to the club in the next few days. It has been alleged that he could be lured into the London stadium, but the cost of the deal may have been an issue. It looks like the two clubs have come to an agreement and he should sign in the next few days.
That has now been confirmed by Sky Sports’ transfer center (via The Sun), which claimed the Hammers had reached a deal with Chelsea for the 19-year-old.
Will Pierre Ekwah make it at West Ham?
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Rice 2.0?
Ekwah is a highly valued youngster in the blues youth, so this move is seen as quite a coup for West Ham – one that might later show some similarities to Declan Rice’s.
The versatile French defender made 13 appearances in the U16s and can play either central defender or holding midfield, a bit like the Hammers star himself.
Rice joined Chelsea Academy when she was just seven years old but wasn’t fired until seven years later at 14, and The Athletic has since revealed why they gave up on his potential.
One reason was that they thought he was not strong enough, another, interestingly, was his versatility. A source claimed “one week he was left-back and the next he was on the right wing”. And finally, Joshua Colley’s arrival from abroad puts his place at risk.
The 22-year-old has since proven abundantly wrong as not only has he proven himself a reliable captain in the absence of Mark Noble, but also has a potential £ 70m commitment due to the interest of many of the Irons’ Premier League rivals.
It was only a year before he landed his first professional contract at the club and the Hammers will certainly hope Ekwah can follow suit.
Who costs more?
Pablo Fornals Issa Diop
Moyes even reportedly kept a close eye on the 6-foot-2 candidate’s performance during a trial, which bodes well for his chances of replicating Rice in the near future.
Given that West Ham could be involved in a season of over 50 games next season, every chance that if he continues to impress the Scotsman he will get involved.
If so, the club hierarchy may have repeated their Rice feat.
AND in other news, Hammers will be hit while pursuing the “incredible” 30 goal goal, Moyes will be furious …
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