West Ham youngster talks about his idols.
West Ham youngster Louie Watson is taking inspiration from the best as he plots his career path to the top.
Watson, 17, has just been called in the Republic of Ireland under-18s international squad.
Watson told West Ham’s official website he models his game on club star Manuel Lanzini and Manchester City superstar Kevin de Bruyne.
He said: “I like to score and create goals; that’s what I’m about,” he explains. “One of the players I look up to is Kevin De Bruyne. He’s the type of footballer I base my game around and he’s the best at what he can do.
“At West Ham, I’d say my style is most similar to Manuel Lanzini. But in the modern game, there is definitely a demand for midfielders to be able to do both; score and make goals, and break up play. If you can do both, you’ve of course got an advantage.”
The teenager acknowledges he has plenty of work to do.
A hamstring injury has delayed his progress this season and Watson hopes to finish the campaign strongly.
He added: “Now, I just want to push on. I want to add a couple of U23 appearances to my belt, to gain some more international caps [ and to earn myself a professional contract.”
West Ham have demonstrated this season that young stars will get first team chances when they are ready.
Declan Rice is playing a prominent role and Grady Diangana has made the breakthrough.
Watson is a little way off that yet, but if the next 12 months goes well, this time next year he will be setting his sights on Manuel Pellegrini’s XI.
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