It is undoubtedly a bit of a concern that both Elisha Sowunmi and Emeka Adiele felt that their development would benefit from leaving West Ham United, exiting for Tottenham Hotspur and FC Utrecht respectively.
Despite the Hammers’ reputation as one of the best developers of young talent this side of the Channel, and despite the fact Nuno Espirito Santo is determined to provide a platform to the next generation, two of the brightest talents in the Under-21s departed within 72 hours of each other before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
Elisha Sowunmi defected to Tottenham after ten years in West Ham United’s academy. Rampaging left-back Emeka Adiele felt that joining FC Utrecht was ‘the best choice’ for him, too, putting pen to paper on a four-year deal at the Eredivisie outfit.
A worrying development as another Hammers starlet leaves! 😟
Why do YOU think Adiele and Sowunmi both departed? What needs to CHANGE?
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Now, this may have less to do with the opportunities available to him in East London and more to do with those ahead of Adiele in the pecking order. Souffian El Karouani missed out on a move to West Ham last month, seemingly because Ollie Scarles had proven himself to be a more-than capable deputy to El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Add in young Ezra Mayers and the versatile Kyle Walker-Peters, and 18-year-old Adiele would have had to overcome no fewer than five other options to force his way into the starting XI.
Yet, reports claiming that Borussia Dortmund and Juventus wanted the England U18 ace as well as a number of other English-based clubs does highlight just how highly Adiele was regarded outside of West Ham, as well as inside.
What West Ham United have lost in Emeka Adiele as Utrecht make deadline-day swoop
Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images
Alain van Hilten, speaking on the Dutch version of ESPN, spoke to a number of people in the know after Utrecht beat two European giants to Adiele’s signature. The response he got was pretty glowing.
“I’ve asked around, and scouts who’ve watched him extensively say he’s a really mobile left-back who’s good on the ball,” Van Hilten says. “But [he] still needs to improve physically.
“In that sense, he might be a good replacement for [Derry] Murkin. He’s also a wing-back, which would also fit in well at FC Utrecht.”
In a strange twist of fate, Adiele could become the long-term successor for the aforementioned El Karouani. The Dutch-born Morocco international has reportedly agreed to join Brendan Rodgers’ Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Qadsiah next summer.
El Karouani was obviously keen on joining West Ham when the Londoners expressed an interest of their own heading into the New Year. That trail went cold, however, after Scarles found his feet again.
“It was a day full of left-backs at FC Utrecht,” Van Hilten adds. “Derry John Murkin left for Derby County for two million euros. That’s quite remarkable because, six months ago, he joined from Schalke 04 for one million euros.
“So, in half a season, they’ve made a substantial profit. And that was actually for a substitute [left-back].”
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I’m not going to lie, I’m underwhelmed…
Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell – CameraSport
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Adiele said that leaving England for the Netherlands was ‘the best choice;
Adiele is another Utrecht will be hoping to turn a profit on. It has not yet been revealed how much the Eredivisie outfit paid, but they are certain to make a healthy return on that investment should he translate his superb youth-team performances onto the senior stage.
Plenty of West Ham fans were hoping to see Adiele follow in the footsteps of Glen Johnson, Ben Johnson and other homegrown full-backs while he was racking up the goals and assists for the Under-21s. He leaves having provided 15 goal contributions in his last 20 games.
“It feels great to be here, I can’t wait to get started,” Adiele said following his arrival in the Netherlands yesterday afternoon. “Hopefully, I can bring everything I learned at West Ham United back to Utrecht and help the team here continue to grow.
“FC Utrecht was the best option for me. That is mainly because of the discussions and because they really wanted me here.
“I’m a quick, attacking full-back. I love covering the left flank. I’m agile in tight spaces and have a good left foot.”
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