While the present is anything but bright and sunny at the moment, at least West Ham United’s exciting crop of young talent suggest there may be happier days to come.
West Ham’s Under-18s defeated reigning champions Aston Villa on Saturday. At Under-21 level, meanwhile, Mark Robson guided his Hammers to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League 2 table.
Freddie Potts, Ollie Scarles and Callum Marshall have made the step up – albeit in some cases slower than many fans would have liked – while Mohamadou Kante, Emeka Adiele, Preston Fearon and the prolific Josh Landers also mean the Hammers faithful have something to cling onto in these trying times.
Kante was likened to Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira by Robson before he earned a promotion to Nuno’s senior staff. Adiele and Fearson are going from strength to strength, while Scotland youth forward Landers cannot stop scoring behind the scenes.
Determined to tie down as many of their bright young things as possible, contract extensions have been a pretty common occurrence in recent months too. On Tuesday, talented centre-half Ezra Mayers became the latest to put pen to paper, much to the delight of Academy Manager Kenny Brown.
Kenny Brown talks up Ezra Mayers’ first-team prospects at West Ham United
Mayers, who assisted one of Josh Ajala’s two goals as West Ham beat Reading in the Premier League U18 Cup final last season, extends his deal until the summer of 2028, with the option of a further year.
This comes after the 18-year-old made the step up to the Under-21s, having also won the Dylan Tombides Award in 2024. Given to the standout player in the club’s academy on an annual basis, Mayers joins the likes of Josh Cullen, Reece Oxford and a certain Declan Rice in claiming the prize.
Brown, meanwhile, highlights Mayers’ professionalism and his desire to improve in all areas.
“The one thing that’s always stood out about Ezra is his love for coming in every day, training and being a player at West Ham. He’s been consistent in his attitude from the very start,” Brown tells the club’s official website.
“He’s developed steadily through every age group. He was never one to seek the limelight but, as he’s moved up, he’s become a real presence in the squad. He’s really kicked on in these last two years, becoming a mainstay in the Under-21s and training over with the first team.”
Mayers trained with Graham Potter over the summer
Mayers trained under Graham Potter in pre-season, given his chance to impress alongside the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta. West Ham themselves described Mayers as ‘fearless’ and ‘dependable’ when rewarding him with professional terms back in 2024.
“With this new deal, which shows our commitment to him and his commitment to us, it’s now important that we now make sure he gets the right challenges, so that he’s ready for first-team football,” Brown adds, a senior debut the aim.
“It’s always special to see another player who’s been with us since Under-9s come all the way through. If we can get the right players in, like Ezra, I’ve got every confidence in our staff and our environment to help them reach the professional level.
“He’s a great example of that.”
Mayers has played the full 90 minutes in every one of West Ham’s six Premier League 2 matches this season. He scored in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out.
“[This new contract] means a lot, because I can stay at the club while trying to push towards men’s football, whether that’s out on loan or here with the first team,” Mayers says.
“[2023/24] was a great season, and having Lauris [Coggin] and Kev [Keen, U18 coaches] nominate me for the Dylan Tombides Award was a real honour. I was just happy that the work I put in throughout the year was recognised.”
Hammers youngster opens up on his ‘dream’ under Nuno Espirito Santo
Mayers appeared in a matchday squad for a Premier League fixture for the first time 10 months ago. He hopes to force his way into Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans sooner rather than later too. After Nuno confirmed an injury to Konstantinos Mavropanos ahead of Friday’s trip to Leeds, an opportunity may be coming his way sooner rather than later.
“Being on the bench for the first team is something you always want to experience again. And hopefully, next time, I can get on the pitch,” Mayers explains. “That’s the dream for everyone here. To be that close to it was a real eye-opener for me.
“I think the future holds what the past has already shown. I just want to keep working hard day in, day out, and maintain the consistency I’ve shown over the last couple of years of full-time football. If I can do that, then hopefully by 2028, even more exciting things will come.”
While the aforementioned Mark Robson is now part of Nuno’s staff, fellow academy coaches Gerard Prenderville, Billy Lepine and Steve Potts [son of Freddie] have also been handed promotions.
“It’s as good a time as ever to put yourself forward,” Mayers admits. “[The former academy coaches] can influence things in the first team, and we’ve all worked with them for a long time.
“It’s really positive for us because it shows there’s a pathway, especially with the younger players who’ve already made appearances this season.”
