The young West Ham United forward is scoring for fun with the second string.
When West Ham United signed young striker Toni Martinez from Valencia he already had a reputation as a hotshot in front of goal, but few expected him to take the Hammers’ under-23s by storm, finishing last season with 10 goals in 11 matches prior to his loan switch to Oxford United.
That temporary stint had its own rewards, with Martinez finding the net in FA Cup ties against Newcastle United and Middlesbrough to prove his top-flight credentials, but still the wait for his first-team bow at West Ham goes on.
Not that he is letting that affect his game, with the 20-year-old scoring three goals in his last three appearances for West Ham’s next generation.
It was three in two prior to Monday night’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, in which Martinez played the full match. And that appearance suggests he will not be part of West Ham’s squad for their EFL Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers this evening.
If that is the case, it is another disappointment for a player many West Ham fans are keen to see in action alongside his senior teammates.
With 17 goals in 19 under-23 appearances since arriving at the London Stadium, it is clear West Ham have a gem on their hands.
The step up to first-team football is not easy, and Martinez is not going to score for fun at that level – at least not yet – but he needs experience and he has clearly proved that he is better than his current surroundings.
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