Grady Diangana is the latest prospect to come through at West Ham United.
Robert Snodgrass has revealed to West Ham United’s official website that he has been helping to guide young sensation Grady Diangana since breaking into the first team.
The 20-year-old has emerged as a very exciting talent for West Ham in recent months, after scoring twice in an 8-0 demolition of Macclesfield in the Carabao Cup.
Diangana, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has since made four Premier League appearances for the Hammers, and impressed yet again from the start as Manuel Pellegrini’s side beat Burnley on Saturday.
He certainly seems to have a promising future ahead of him, and Snodgrass, a £10 million signing by United in 2017, says that the youngster has been listening to his pearls of wisdom.
“Grady has got great ability and there’s others in the Academy like him too,” he told West Ham’s website.
“All I say to these young lads is all you’ve got really is a chance, the same way every other youngster in other academies has a chance too. Whether you grab that chance with both hands [is up to you], and that’s what Declan Rice has done, that’s what Diangana has done.
“It was from the first game against Macclesfield where he brought that freshness, he drives at people. I said to him there’s going to be times when you try to run by a defender and you lose the ball, but get back on it and try again. He’s listening and he wants to learn. He’s working hard for the team too and that’s what it takes.”
Along with Declan Rice, the East Londoners seem to have a number of very exciting talents and, if Snodgrass is to be believed, the academy boasts other prospects.
Rice is now a first-team regular for West Ham, starting eight Premier League games under Pellegrini.
It could help Diangana that he has someone to look up to. Rice is a year younger, but he is that bit more experienced and the fact that he has gone from academy prospect to an established and key player should inspire Diangana to reach the same level.
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