West Ham can unearth Ogbonna heir in Laing

David Moyes splashed out in the summertime so as to add two new centre-backs to his West Ham United squad, as Nayef Aguerd (£30m) and Thilo Kehrer (£10.1m) each arrived to considerably bolster this space of the group.

With Angelo Ogbonna’s contract expiring on the finish of this season, and the 34-year-old not getting any youthful, it was a smart transfer to usher in a few reinforcements in order that the brand new arrivals might mattress into the squad.

Nevertheless, Moyes could have spent cash that he didn’t have to, with a younger expertise within the Irons’ academy trying able to make the step as much as the primary group within the close to future…

Levi Laing will be the right Ogbonna inheritor

Laing signed his first skilled contract with West Ham in 2021 and this runs till subsequent summer season, albeit with an choice for an additional 12 months.

Underneath-23 coach Dmitri Halajko has praised the teen, saying: “The progress that he’s made in such a brief time period has been actually constructive, and I’m certain he can carry it on going ahead at this Membership.”

The 19-year-old performed 11 instances in Premier League 2 final season, and whereas making three appearances within the EFL Trophy to this point this time period, Laing has featured ten instances throughout each competitions as he seems to be to achieve as a lot expertise as potential.

Each Ogbonna and Laing are 6 foot 3 or taller and supply a commanding presence within the air, and there may be each cause to imagine that the teen could possibly be an ideal alternative for the 34-year-old when the latter lastly strikes on from West Ham.

The Italian has been an amazing servant to the membership, taking part in 210 times for the Irons. Nevertheless, it seems to be like this might nicely be his final season at West Ham, and Moyes might want to look to the longer term sooner moderately than later.

Will West Ham beat Manchester United?

It’d take time, and even a mortgage spell to ensure that Laing to proceed his speedy improvement, however Moyes would possibly nicely be onto a winner with the younger defender, and it might save him looking for a alternative in subsequent summer season’s switch window.