The Spaniard joined the Hammers back in April 2016.
David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Stoke City and West Ham United at Bet365 Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Stoke…
West Ham youngster Toni Martinez is still waiting to make his first team debut for the Hammers.
The 20-year-old arrived at the club back in Spring 2016 for £2.4m from Valencia’s B team and is still yet to make an appearance for West Ham.
During his first season, Martinez scored 10 goals for the Under 23s including two in the Checkatrade Trophy. He was then loaned out to League One Oxford United in January 2017 where he scored three times, two of them against Newcastle United and Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.
Toni Martinez of Oxford United celebrates scoring his sides second goal with his Oxford United team mates during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Middlesbrough and Oxford…
Martinez returned to the London Stadium in the summer and has scored another eight goals for the Under 23s. That type of form is usually rewarded with at least an appearance in the cup competitions but he hasn’t been able to get on the pitch much to the fans frustration.
West Ham played Cheltenham Town and Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season and he wasn’t even named on the bench which begs the question as to if he’ll ever get his chance.
Martinez was clearly not fancied by Slaven Bilic so David Moyes’ arrival may have given him fresh hope but so far it hasn’t materialised.
West Ham’s position hasn’t helped. The fact they have been in a relegation battle has meant that youngsters haven’t been risked. Moyes needed results quickly not only to get them out of trouble, but to also win over any doubters.
The Hammers are also quite top heavy. They have Javier Hernandez, Andre Ayew, Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll while Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio have also been deployed up front so Martinez is effectively seventh in the pecking order.
Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Stoke City and West Ham United at Bet365 Stadium on December 16,…
One saving grace for Martinez is Moyes has had previous of giving young players their debut. He brought Wayne Rooney through at Everton and also gave Adnan Januzaj a chance at Manchester United when he was 18.
An FA Cup tie at Shrewsbury Town next month could be the day he finally makes his debut and who knows, by then West Ham could be further ahead of the bottom three and Moyes may be more keen to look at him. If that’s the case and he doesn’t make the bench then it looks unlikely that the Spaniard will ever make the grade at the London Stadium.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
