West Ham United's first-team have had a mixed start to the season in all competitions after impressive campaigns in their two previous terms.
After sixth and seventh placed finishes, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League in the last two seasons, the Hammers currently sit 16th in the Premier League table and only a point clear of the relegation zone.
In the Carabao Cup, West Ham were also dumped out of the competition last month after a third round penalty shootout defeat to Championship side Blackburn Rovers, while in the Europa Conference League, David Moyes' men have won eight matches out of eight and have already booked themselves into March's round of 16.
READ MORE: West Ham's under-18s continue high-flying form against Chelsea with comeback victory
The under-21s, after a poor start to the season, started to hit form just before the break for the World Cup with three straight wins in all competitions, while the club’s under-18s have won all nine of their league matches this season and currently sit 12 points clear at the top of the Under-18s Premier League South.
With a number of talented prospects proving their future credentials from the academy this season, here are five of the academy players who could save West Ham millions in the long run if they continue to progress at the rate they currently have been.
Manny Longelo
Of the five, Manny Longelo is the only one currently out on loan, impressing in the Championship with Birmingham City.
Since making his debut for the Blues in October, Longelo has played the duration of all ten league matches he has featured in, scoring once and providing two assists while predominately playing as a left wing-back.
A number of the Hammers currently on loan with other clubs have had mixed starts but Longelo has been one of the only ones to have performed consistently and is at the highest level of English football outside of the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has already played twice for the first time in the Carabao Cup and the Europa League and could be a good long-term option at left-back if he continues his development.
Divin Mubama
Striker Divin Mubama recently made his first-team debut after turning 18 against FCSB in the Europa Conference League, providing a hand in a goal on debut, as well as recently hitting form at under-21 and under-18 levels.
Mubama has scored seven goals in November at youth level with a hat-trick against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup, as well as two against Arsenal’s under-18s and two more against Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s.
In the previous two seasons, Mubama has reached double figures for goals in the Under-18s Premier League South and while he had a slow start for season, is now making up for lost time.
Earlier this season, he also made his debut for England at Under-19s level and with not many natural strikers at the club after Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio, could continue to get more minutes in cup competitions in the coming seasons.
Ollie Scarles
The hottest young prospect on the scene is 16-year-old versatile left-back Ollie Scarles, who has already made his full debut at senior level. Like Mubama, Scarles started the win over FCSB, having a hand in Pablo Fornals’ second goal in the 3-0 win, putting in a man of the match display in Bucharest.
As well as making the squad for October’s win over Anderlecht in Belgium, Scarles’ form has seen him play for the under-21s, scoring the winner from a direct free-kick in a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur’s under-21s.
Already, Scarles has played England at under-15 and under-16 levels as well as under-21s level with West Ham in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Kaelan Casey
Centre-back Kaelan Casey has been at West Ham since the age of five and this season, has played a big role in West Ham’s stunning run at under-18s level.
Of Kevin Keen’s side’s nine league wins, Casey has played every minute as a centre-back, helping to keep two clean sheets, scoring two goals and providing three assists in those games.
On top of that, he has also made seven appearances for the under-21s this season and also won his first-team debut off the bench against FCSB and replacing academy graduate Ben Johnson in the second half.
The towering centre-back, who has said his idol is first-team captain Declan Rice, has impressed at youth level and will hope to continue stepping towards the first team.
Callum Marshall
Northern Ireland youth international forward Callum Marshall earned his first professional contract recently, with the 18-year-old’s deal being announced after he scored in the 4-2 win over Chelsea’s under-18s.
In just five under-18 league appearances this season, Marshall has scored seven goals and is the club’s top scorer in the Under-18s Premier League South, one goal less than the three-players joint leading the golden boot race.
Earlier this season, Marshall won his first two caps for Northern Ireland’s under-19s, scoring on his second appearance during a win over Moldova in September.
Marshall is a versatile forward who can play as both a striker and on the right wing and will hope that after securing his professional contract, more senior chances may start to come his way.
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