Opinion: Lopetegui should look to West Ham talent after being disappointed by first-team regular
Edson Alvarez’s red card in West Ham’s 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest may have opened a golden opportunity for Lewis Orford.
West Ham’s performances this season have been disappointing, with the club currently sitting in 14th place in the Premier League.
While they’ve shown potential in some matches, such as their 2-1 win over Manchester United, Julen Lopetegui’s squad has struggled to find consistency.
Guido Rodriguez was among the summer signings intended to ease the workload of Alvarez and Tomas Soucek in midfield.
However, Rodriguez’s impact has been underwhelming.
With both Alvarez and Rodriguez performing below expectations, there’s an argument for giving young talent Lewis Orford a chance in the first team, especially as Alvarez faces a brief spell on the sidelines.
Why West Ham United Should Give Lewis Orford a Chance
This summer, West Ham rejected a move involving Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, which would have seen Orford transferred to Villa.
Instead, club owner David Sullivan extended Orford’s contract, signaling the high potential they see in the young midfielder.
Alvarez’s and Rodriguez’s struggles this season have been a concern, with Alvarez already receiving two red cards, highlighting his liability on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Orford has shown promise, playing regularly for the Hammers’ Under-21s with 11 appearances and contributing four assists.
Although Orford has yet to debut for Lopetegui’s senior squad, he has been a key player in the youth setup.
If given a shot, the 18-year-old could bring fresh energy and possibly provide the solution to West Ham’s defensive midfield issues.
