The West Ham academy director believes Feghouli is closing in on full fitness and says Martinez is a natural goalscorer.
West Ham United academy director Terry Westley has given a glowing assessment of high-profile summer signing Sofiane Feghouli and hotly-tipped young arrivals Edimilson Fernandes and Toni Martinez, speaking to the club’s official website.
The Hammers signed Feghouli from Valencia on a free transfer at the start of the summer and the winger arrived with big billing having scored 31 goals in 202 games for Los Che.
The 26-year-old played in both legs of the Europa League qualifying win over NK Domzale during the summer, scoring his first goal in the home leg.
However, since then the Algerian star has struggled with hamstring injuries and is yet to make another appearance, although there is some talk that he could be fit to play some part against Watford today.
Feghouli played the first 45 minutes of the Hammers’ PL2 clash with Wolves on Friday, and Westley said he was hugely encouraged by what he saw.
The coach told the club’s website: “Feghouli in the first half showed some flashes of real class when he got in one-on-situations and hopefully the 45 minutes he got has given him a lot in terms of his fitness.”
Meanwhile, fellow summer signing Fernandes made his debut for the PL2 side in the match and impressed, setting up Martinez to score in the second half.
Westley was thrilled with the Swiss starlet’s contribution, but saved his highest praise for Martinez himself, who made it six goals in five academy games since his arrival from Valencia’s youth set-up.
The academy director added: “I thought the young boy Fernandes showed some real quality, one ball especially in the first half when he put Martinez through.
“[Martinez] really wants to come alive when he thinks he’s got a chance to score. First half when he ran through, held the defender off; the keeper made a terrific save. It was a terrific finish for the second goal and now he has six goals in five games; that’s a goalscorer and they’re often priceless.”
Those comments are likely to excite Hammers fans. The club may have made higher-profile signings than Fernandes and Martinez this summer, but it seems as though they have some real stars of the future in the works.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
