Five Football League wonderkids West Ham should consider

There are many untapped gems from the lower regions of English football that are truly capable of producing the goods at a higher level.

With West Ham dubbed ‘The Academy of Football’ and well known from bringing through young talent, there’s no reason why we can’t pick at the Football League’s hottest prospects and develop them in to top class Premier League players.

After all, just look at how far Aaron Cresswell has come since signing from Ipswich in the summer.

So here are five players from the lower divisions that could make a huge impact at Upton Park…

Click on Aaron Cresswell to reveal

Nathan Redmond – Norwich City

It beggars belief how this player is still plying his trade for Norwich City in the Championship. But he Premier League’s loss is the Canaries’ gain. Quick, agile and skilful, Redmond possesses all of the qualities and attributes needed to cause top flight opposition problems.

Still only 20-years-old, Redmond first burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old, becoming Birmingham City’s second youngest debutant in 2010. After the St.Andrews club’s money issues and relegation, the nippy winger then made the move to Carrow Road.

Redmond, who has 20 England u-21 caps to his name, has recently been linked with moves to the likes of Liverpool and Southampton. With Redmond being young and English, Sam Allardyce should pull out all of the stops to bring him to Upton Park.

Dele Alli – MK Dons

Surely an 18-year-old playing for MK Dons in League One could not be considered to produce the goods in Premier League. Think again.

The reason the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are all chasing him is because he is the future of English football.

The all-round midfielder has the strength to defend and the ability to score goals. Not many 18-year-olds have that in abundance. Despite his youth, Alli has already made 58 appearances for the Dons, scoring 17 goals.

With Newcastle United the latest club to express an interest in the talented youngster, lodging a bid for Alli should be a priority, realistically in the summer.

Jonathan Bond – Watford

As many West Ham fans know, number two goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen isn’t getting any younger. Approaching his 40th birthday, it doesn’t look as though the former Finland international will be staying with the Boleyn Ground outfit for much longer.

At just 21 years of and playing on a regular basis for Championship side Watford, Bond could potentially put current number one keeper Adrian under a lot more pressure than what Jaaskelainen is currently doing.

Standing at 6”4, Bond is well capable of dealing with the physicality of the Premier League and provide some healthy competition for Adrian.

Jake Forster-Caskey – Brighton

The 20-year-old England under-21 international has gone under the radar in the Championship with Brighton & Hove Albion, which is why he has been in fine form for the Seagulls.

Forster-Caskey is the playmaker that every team in England needs, wherever it’s from a deep position, or from a more advanced position on the pitch, he’s not there to bang in the goals, he’s purely there to set them up.

If a young player is linked with a move to the Promised Land, then all of the speculation tends to affect their performance. With a move to the Premier League not on the cards at the moment, it would be good to see if Forster-Caskey can produce at a higher level, and west Ham should take that chance.

Will Hughes – Derby County

Last season saw Hughes get a host of clubs looking to sign him; even Spanish giants FC Barcelona were monitoring his situation.

The reason why is because Hughes has shone in the Championship for his respective club Derby County for the past two years.

As well as the likes of Liverpool and moneybags Manchester City vying for his signature, the England U-21 international recently signed a new deal at the iPro Stadium. At just 19 years old, Hughes has made over 100 appearances for the Rams, notching seven goals in the process.

Blessed with vision and flair, the central midfielder can pick a pass through the eye of a needle. The young footballer who has turned down a plethora of opportunities to join a bigger club in the past.

Credit where it’s due, turning them down to concentrate on playing first team football shows the maturity of the gifted player.

However, joining West Ham wouldn’t necessarily mean that he would be warming the bench every week. Getting Hughes on board will set the Hammers up perfectly for the 2016/2016 Olympic Stadium move.