West Ham United boast one of the country’s most prestigious academies, with the Hammers having produced some sensational talent across the years.
One such product currently stars in their midfield, with David Moyes’ recent statements outlining just how highly both he and the rest of England rate Declan Rice.
He noted that:
“He’ll be a British transfer record if he ever leaves West Ham,” with Enzo Fernandez having recently taken that title following his £106.8m January move.
However, the man who laid the foundation for his development and currently operates in a sporting director role within the club is Mark Noble, who is truly the player to emulate.
Affectionately dubbed ‘Mr West Ham’, he was a stalwart who held down the engine room for 18 years, playing 550 times and recording 122 goal contributions across that time.
With Rice constantly linked with an exit from the London Stadium, and Tomas Soucek having seen a considerable downturn in form, perhaps now marks the perfect time to promote yet another academy starlet into the senior squad. Enter Keenan Forson.
The 21-year-old is a dependable defensive midfielder with an unparalleled work rate, with his pedigree throughout the youth ranks earning him just his second-ever first-team appearance earlier this season in the Europa Conference League.
Due to his youthful exuberance and immense technical proficiency, he boasts the ability to operate further up the field too. But, when he makes his eventual breakthrough, he is expected to settle in a sitting role.
His age and the fact that he was recently rewarded with a new contract suggests he could be around to hold down the Irons midfield for some time, emulating the success and loyalty shown by Noble.
What allows him to stand out is his ability to dictate the play, and whilst his energy might be outlined, his calmness with the ball is exemplary. This is another trait which the 35-year-old club legend was revered for.
He has even drawn comparisons to one of the greatest in his position of a generation, with former academy manager Terry Westley issuing the following praise:
“Keenan’s small but he’s such a tough boy. He’s similar to N’Golo Kante in terms of his work ethic because he’s so difficult to mark. Keenan has a lot of potential”.
The youngster has quickly grown into an integral part of the U23s, as he featured more than any other player last season.
He is surely the next in line for a promotion, with a spot beside Rice there for the taking. If he can play at half the quality of Kante with half the commitment and devotion of Noble, Forson has a glistening future in view at the London Stadium.