Though Callum Wilson, Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Marshall have only one Premier League goal between them this season, things look a whole lot brighter for West Ham United’s next generation of centre-forwards.
Former Celtic starlet Daniel Cummings is finally featuring for the Hammers at Under-21 level, five months after signing.
Cummings made his belated debut for the reserve team in Friday’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa, having initially been kept on the sidelines following shoulder surgery.
And, as West Ham United defeated Swindon Town 3-2 on Tuesday night to secure their spot in the knockout rounds of the EFL Trophy, one fresh-faced Scot replaced another with 74 minutes on the clock.
Cummings’ first appearance in the competition arrived after he came on for compatriot Josh Landers. By that point, Landers had assisted George Earthy’s comeback strike before netting the clincher himself. That, per Flashscore, was his 15th goal in just 21 matches since crossing the border from Hibernian eight months ago.
No wonder Kenny Brown, the club’s Academy Manager, is delighted to see Landers rewarded with a contract extension until the summer of 2028.
Kenny Brown hails Josh Landers as West Ham United sensation earns a new deal
Only two days ago, Brown was raving about Mohamadou Kante.
Another of the club’s standout performers at Under-21 level, former Paris FC starlet Kante put pen to paper on a new, improved deal at Rush Green on Monday.
Landers is following in the footsteps of the powerhouse midfielder, both in terms of his exceptional start to life in claret and blue, and by inking a quickfire contract extension.
“When you bring such a young player in, they don’t usually hit the ground running,” Brown tells the official West Ham website. “But Josh has been scoring goals from day one and has been a real threat throughout.
“He’s got a strong presence, and centre-forwards like him are hard to find. He knows where the goal is, and his work ethic is outstanding. Anyone who’s watched him play can see that.
“It’s infectious having someone like that in your team. He never gives in, chases everything and, at the end of the day, he’s a striker, he wants to score goals. That’s what he’ll be judged on, and he’s doing exactly that.
“He’s still young and has a lot to develop, but knowing he’ll be doing that here over the next three years is really pleasing.”
Landers scored a 17-minute hat-trick against Brighton and Hove Albion
Landers’ first year at West Ham has seen him speedrun through landmark moments at a remarkable rate. There were nine goals in his first 12 appearances for the Under-18s. He made the step up to Under-21 football look extremely straightforward, with a brace on his first start against Sunderland.
Landers obliterated Brighton with a seven-minute hat-trick at the end of September. One month later, the ruthless 18-year-old poacher netted for the first time against senior opposition.
After a typically forceful burst from the aforementioned Kante, Landers took one touch to set himself and, with his second, lifted a clever finish over the onrushing Swindon Town goalkeeper.
“It’s great [to be handed a contract] It’s what you want,” says Landers, delighted to see that his progress is being noticed and rewarded. “That was the goal when I came in January, to start well and then hopefully, within a year or so, earn a new deal.
“I’m buzzing. This is what you dream of, isn’t it? To come down, settle in quickly and then be offered something new so soon. It’s been the ideal start to life at West Ham.”
“It’s been both a physical and tactical test. Everything’s quicker, you’ve got to be sharper, more clever, cleaner with everything you do.
“I’m really enjoying it so far this season. Scoring goals obviously helps and we’ve got a good group. I also like that the Under-21s calendar has more fixtures, with games on Tuesdays and Fridays. That’s what you want!”
Scotland starlet dreaming of Premier League chance under Nuno Espirito Santo
After Nuno Espirito Santo promoted Callum Marshall to the first-team following a stellar run of form with the reserves, Landers will surely put himself in contention for a senior call-up of his own should he maintain his West Ham average of a goal every 1.3 matches.
“Everybody’s dream is to play in the Premier League,” Landers adds. “That’s the main goal. In the short term, I just want to keep scoring and working hard. If I keep doing that, the opportunities should come, and when they do, you’ve got to take them.
“With a new manager in, everyone’s trying to impress and show what they can do. In football, you don’t get many chances, so you’ve got to make them count.”
