Nathan Holland is weighing up whether to stay at West Ham United this season or seek a loan after Hammers staff were impressed by his physical development during the summer break, as reported by The Athletic.
At the age of 23, one of West Ham’s most exciting youngsters finds himself at a crossroads.
He won’t be allowed to play academy football much longer but his future at senior level could hardly be more uncertain, with just a few weeks until the new Premier League season kicks off.
So far, Holland has played just two top-flight games in claret and blue.
The former England U19 international showed glimpses of real promise during a short-lived loan spell at Oxford United a year ago, with U’s manager Karl Robinson describing him as an “outstanding prospect”.
Last summer, Holland was expected to return to his parent club and try to force his way into Moyes’ plans but an ill-timed injury scuppered his plans.
The gifted forward made just seven appearances for West Ham’s U23s last season too as those fitness problems took their toll.
Holland does appear to have come back stronger this summer, at least.
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Will Nathan Holland finally force his way into the West Ham starting XI?
The Athletic reports West Ham staff have noted how much muscle Holland appears to have accumulated in recent months.
Clearly, the youngster has put his time on the sidelines to good use.
A versatile forward capable of playing out wide and through the middle, Holland has started both of West Ham’s pre-season fixtures so far, a surefire sign Moyes is keen to have a closer look.
Clubs in the Championship and League One are also keeping tabs on the situation, hoping to sign a player once compared to a “young Ryan Giggs” while on loan.
The fact Michail Antonio remains the club’s only senior striker, coupled with the impending departure of Andriy Yarmolenko, means a path to the first team could present itself for Holland, especially with a European adventure set to stretch Moyes’ compact squad to its limits.
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