West Ham United sporting director Mark Noble is tipping some of the club's under-18s to go on and have success at senior level ahead of their FA Youth Cup final against Arsenal
West Ham United sporting director Mark Noble believes that two or three members of the current under-18s squad have a chance of getting their first starts in the Premier League in the future.
The Hammers’ under-18s, managed by ex-West Ham defender Kevin Keen, are having a season to remember going into their first FA Youth Cup final since 1999 against Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Already, West Ham have won the Under-18s Premier League South title and will face northern league winners Manchester City in the next few weeks, with a place in next season’s UEFA Youth League up for grabs.
Earlier this month, they sealed a 6-1 win over Southampton in the semi-finals of the Youth Cup to set up a final against Arsenal on Tuesday night, with a few of their players already becoming well-known among the Hammers’ supporters.
While the challenge of West Ham’s success in the Premier League and Europe makes it harder, Noble sees serious potential in this current crop of under-18s who have taken their season by storm.
He feels that of the players set to feature against a Gunners side managed by ex-Hammer Jack Wilshere, there is the quality to suggest some might make the honours board at the academy’s Chadwell Heath training ground, containing all players to have made a full league start as an academy graduate.
“I would hope so, yeah,” said Noble. “Our aims are to do that. That coincides with a little bit of Covid as well, doesn't it?
“You look at West Ham’s last three years before I retired, we had a fantastic run of games in Europe and the Premier League, we were always chasing a European spot. So it's hard to give these young boys that start.
“I'd like to think our 18s group would, I’m hoping two or three of them would be on that board.”
Of the players in the under-18s side, three have made first-team debuts this season. Defenders Ollie Scarles and Kaelan Casey have both played in the Europa Conference League against FCSB, while striker DIvin Mubama has played four times, including his first senior goal in Europe last month against AEK Larnaca.
Not just for his senior minutes, but Mubama’s record since his first-team debut has been nothing short of ridiculous, scoring 29 goals in 21 youth team matches since his senior debut for the under-18s and under-21s combined.
As well as them, Noble also cited the young Northern Irish duo of midfielder Patrick Kelly and forward Callum Marshall for their personalities, with both playing big roles for West Ham’s under-18s this term.
“They've got a real mixture of really strong characters. Obviously a lot of good players,” Noble explained. “Divin, who's obviously scored so many goals at that level. You've got the three boys. The two, PK and Callum Marshall, who are best of mates but then they can't wait to stitch each other up. They're unbelievable characters and come over from Ireland and they’ve added a real different feel to the 18s.
“We’ve got so many technically good players, but also players that are strong, quick, and it's a fantastic blend. Someone said to me the other day about our 18s, ‘They're really comfortable being uncomfortable.’ So if they have to sit back behind a ball and soak up, then they'll do it. They don't care about it.
“But you've seen them when they open up and attack, they're really dangerous. When I train with them, it's just me being in there and giving my point of view for the coaches and it's great, it works.“
In a light-hearted preparation for the Arsenal cup final, West Ham’s under-18s staff, including sporting director Noble, played against some of the under-18s in a training ground six-a-side match.
Noble joked that the staff narrowly came out on top, with their younger counterparts restricted to just two touches each.
He said that the game and the all-round culture at the club’s academy training ground has helped build a platform for the current successes of this ground of talented teenagers.
“We had a game the other day. There were a few coaches outside and it was six of the 18s that didn't play on the weekends,” Noble revealed. “So the staff had a six-v-six with them. Obviously some of them ain't quite as fit anymore, but it was a great laugh.
“Our sports scientist ended up scoring a back-stick winning header. We cheated, don't get me wrong, they had two touches, we were all-in, we made it even as possible.
“But it was a great laugh, you know? It takes your mind off the pressures of FA Youth Cup finals and all that. So it was a good day.”
West Ham are in their first Youth Cup final since 1999, when a team including the likes of Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Richard Garcia inspired the Hammers to a 9-0 aggregate victory over Coventry City in the competition’s now-scrapped two-legged finals.
Asked about the expectations set to be put upon the players in the under-18s if they secure a first FA Youth Cup in almost a quarter of a century, Noble says it was easier back when the last cup final winners won, given their was less foreign stars to battle in their quest for senior minutes.
“I'd say then it was probably easier because there wasn't the influx of foreign players, it was a long time ago,” added Noble. “But they're a special group and I say to them all the time: 'It's over to you'. If you don't make it, at least put your head on the pillow knowing you did everything.
“Not everyone makes it as a footballer, people drop out and go and do other things. I always thought to myself once I finished, that if I hadn't given everything I don't know whether I'd have been able to live with that. It went lucky for me.
“But I say to the boys: 'Just take your opportunities and know that every moment counts'.”
West Ham face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium at 7pm in the FA Youth Cup final, hoping to lift the trophy for the first time in 24 years. Over 30,000 tickets have been sold for the game.