Earlier this month, Harry Redknapp reflected fondly upon the huge array of talent he watched rise through the ranks at West Ham United in the late-1990s, from Frank Lampard to Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick to Joe Cole.
In hindsight, considering what that generation of homegrown Hammers would go onto achieve in the professional game, Redknapp feels that Manchester United’s ‘Class of 92’ might’ve had their work cut out if the likes of Lampard and Carrick, not to mention Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson, had all stayed together in East London.
A quarter of a century later, this current crop of West Ham United youngsters are making quite the splash themselves.
This is not to say George Earthy will go on to emulate Frank Lampard. Or that Ezra Mayers will be the second coming of Rio Ferdinand.
Scotland Under-19 sensation Josh Landers has been prolific since moving south of the border from Hibernian, but he has a long way to go if he is to follow in Defoe’s footsteps.
But in a week in which Mohamadou Kante signed a new contract, another standout moment from the thundering French force has the West Ham fans looking beyond a miserable present and towards a hopefully brighter future.
West Ham United fans love what they see from Mohamadou Kante
Arriving from Paris FC over the summer – he spent last season on loan at the Ligue 1 outfit following his £500,000 transfer back in 2024 – Mohamadou Kante has set himself a target of 20 goal contributions during his debut campaign with West Ham’s reserves.
He’s certainly made a good start.
Kante has five already – two goals and three assists – from just ten matches.
Former Under-21 head coach Mark Robson drew comparisons with Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira after the Paris-born powerhouse marked his first West Ham appearance with a well-taken finish against Woking in August.
Two months on, following a trademark nutmeg from the ever-delightful Preston Fearon, Kante showcased those Vieira-esque qualities again. Striding forwards and going from his own half to the edge of the Swindon Town box in a few short seconds, Kante then had the awareness to pick out the aforementioned Landers.
A cool finish from the ex-Hibernian starlet, and a place in the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy for West Ham’s youngsters.
“Who’s that? That is Mohamadou Kante, since you’re asking,” one fan wrote on X after West Ham posted a clip showing their number 55 turning on the afterburners at the County Ground.
“A midfield of Kante and Fearon should be illegal at this level.”
“Kante has so much potential.”
“Kante is a player.”
Kante ‘built for the Premier League’ amid Patrick Vieira comparisons
This week, Academy Manager Kenny Brown described Mohamadou Kante as being the perfect prototype of the ‘modern Premier League midfielder’. You can see what he means.
In an era where physical prowess and athleticism seems to have come back into fashion – and considering this is a West Ham side crying out for even a dash of intensity in the centre of the park – Kante may well be finding himself on the verge of the first-team sooner than even he might have expected.
“The way Kante powers forward for the third goal. I don’t care what people say – levels, experience or whatever – that boy is built for the Premier League,” another fan wrote on a night in which George Earthy marked his West Ham comeback with a goal and an assist.
“Can’t be worse than watching Guido [Rodriguez] or [Andy] Irving! Get him in that squad!”
“Kante and Earthy have such enormous potential.”
“Free Mo Kante!”
Interestingly, versatile defender Dimitri Colau followed his former Paris FC teammate Kante to West Ham on the final day of the summer transfer window. This means the Hammers have two extremely exciting French talents in their Under-21 roster right now.
“I think what probably surprised everyone was how quickly he settled in,” Brown told the club’s official website when reflecting on Kante’s contract extension.
“It wouldn’t have been easy because he went straight away with the first team to Germany, then to the States, so he didn’t come into the Under-21 set-up until late in pre-season.
“He hadn’t played any minutes, so to see where he is now in such a short period of time has been really encouraging. He looks like he’s enjoying his football, and the way he’s now taking control of games at Under-21 level is promising.
“Physically, he’s an athlete. That is the modern profile of a Premier League midfielder. You’ve got to have energy, cover ground and have presence, but he’s more than that. He’s got real ability on the ball and can score goals.
“It’s been an excellent start for him. There’s still a lot to learn as he continues developing, but he’s really well thought of in the dressing room and among the staff. He comes in with a big smile on his face and works hard every day. We’re delighted to have extended his contract and secured him for the long term.”
