Nominative determinism at its finest.
If Lieutenant Les McBurney was born to put out fires, if Doctor Docktor was destined for a future in medicine, then there was only one club where the appropriately-named Etienne Green would kick off his footballing career.
Green, as you might have guessed, got his name from one of Ligue 1’s most historic clubs; a result of the fact his mother was born on the amber-roofed streets of St Etienne.
The fact that his surname matches the colour of Saintes kit merely adds to the feeling that the Colchester-born England U21 international is merely following the whims of the universe as he establishes himself as St Etienne’s number one goalkeeper.
Is Etienne Green destined to play for West Ham?
But, while Green is doing his mother proud between the sticks at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard, another member of his family could help decide the youngster’s next step.
“I do watch the Premier League,” Green said in an interview with talkSPORT back in September.
“I don’t really have a favourite team but my uncle supports West Ham, so I have to say West Ham!”
This does not automatically mean that Green is going to jump at the chance to join David Moyes’ high-flying Hammers when the transfer window opens again.
But that family connection may just give West Ham the edge over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur as the battle for Green’s sought-after signature heats up, as reported by TEAMtalk.
The 21-year-old Essex export recently signed a new long-term deal with St Etienne but their miserable start to the season (no wins in nine games), coupled with the perilous financial situation facing most French top-flight clubs, means it would not be a major surprise if Green was to jump from a seemingly sinking ship and board a lifeboat across the Channel with West Ham perhaps the most likely destination.
But don’t despair Tottenham fans; maybe there is another exciting young shot-stopper called Lionel Lillywhite just waiting for fate to take hold…
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