West Ham United fans are loving the emergence of Declan Rice in the Hammers first team and may have another academy graduate to get excited about.
West Ham have endured a torrid season on the whole but Rice’s rise to a first team and international sensation at the tender age of 18 has been a major highlight.
Despite being known as the Academy of Football thanks to the conveyor belt of talent that has made its way through the famous East London club over the years, the Hammers have actually struggled to bring through quality young players over the last decade.
Mark Noble and James Tomkins are the only notable exceptions but Rice looks the real deal and a potential captain in the making.
But just like London buses, it seems two might come along at once for Hammers fans after Marcus Browne impressed once again for the club’s Under 23s in Thursday night’s win over Manchester City.
Browne, who has tasted first team action in Europa League qualifying under Slaven Bilic, is blessed with electric pace and skill but suffered a setback in his progress due to injury.
He has been in superb form since returning to the fold, though, and fired in a stunning free-kick to win the game which had former U23s teammate Rice and Hammers fans purring.
“Big result for the boys tonight against City! Marcus Browne stop that surprised a Fornite celebration didn’t come out though,” Rice said on Twitter after the game.
And it also sparked calls for the youngster to be given his chance in the first team, particularly with David Moyes crying out for pace and Michail Antonio now ruled out for the season.
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