In a week when West Ham youth players are grabbing the plaudits for their FA Cup exploits I thought it an apt time to have a look at a future prospect yet to break through.
Aji Alese turned 17 years old yesterday (at time of writing), three days after Declan Rice turned 19. Following birth dates may well simulate subsequent paths in to the first team for Aji in relation to Declan. Looking a very solid CB Aji has already been promoted from Steve Potts’ U18’s to the U23 Prem League 2 team where he’s played an 80 minute match against, reigning champions, Everton in August. After a long lay off he’s made further 2 full games versus Manchester United and Leicester U23’s. Tough fixtures all which makes the fact that Terry Westley’s team did not concede a single goal during Aji’s 260 minute time with them all the more impressive. So impressive that the U23 gaffer lauded his performance in the post Leicester match interview. You can view highlights of the game, and the manager’s summary, at the development fixtures page of the official site by clicking here.
To think young Aji is only 16. Second game back. He’s fully spent in the dressing room right now. He’s very, very tired but an outstanding performance for me. – Terry Westley
As recently as last term he was in the U16’s. Playing part of the season with the U18 promotion squad he bagged the team’s second in the comeback 3-3 final game, of 2016-17, away to Arsenal. For a lad of sixteen to go up against seasoned professionals at U23, Premier League 2, level says a lot about the maturity and physicality of Aji – not to mention he likes to get forward for balls in to the box which was illustrated to good effect by his goal at Arsenal where he controlled and finished brilliantly from Joe Powell’s cross.
Naturally right footed but can play on Right or Left side of Central defence he has also been wearing the coveted number 6 on his back and is developing a good partnership with Akinola at the heart of defence.
Having captained England at U15 level, with previous representation at U16’, Aji is rated as one of the best prospects in the Premier League. Both Citeh and Liverpool were chasing him last Summer but he’s signed a deal with West Ham until July 2019 thanks to Slaven Bilic’s foresight in beating the two, top four, sides to his signature. Should David Moyes remain beyond this term I suspect he’ll be keeping a close eye on Aji.
With Reece Burke grabbing the winning goal on Tuesday night things are certainly looking healthy for the defenders from the academy of late. Mr West Ham, in his understated and down to earth way, had some words of encouragement for him after the game as shown in the following video : -
With many stand out performances for West Ham in the Academy team Aji continues to go from strength to strength. West Ham seem to have assembled something of a Centre Back production line in recent years and Aji could well be the next to make a breakthrough. I, for one, certainly hope so.
COYI! West Ham 4 The Cup!