West Ham United Homegrown XI

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Dubbed the ‘Academy of Football’, West Ham United have historically had one of the best youth academies in England.

West Ham United’s academy is famed as one of the best in England. Homegrown talents such as Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were instrumental in England winning the World Cup in 1966, and England’s most recent ‘Golden Generation’ featured the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, all of whom started life with the Hammers.

That generation of excellent West Ham products are all now retired or in the twilight of their careers, and West Ham will be hoping current prospects such as Reece Oxford and Martin Samuelson can come somewhere close to replicating the careers of such noted alumni of the club’s youth system.

This starting XI is intended as a look at what West Ham’s starting XI may look like today if they were allowed to field only homegrown players. As such, it is based only on current ability, not prior talents or accomplishments. Here is our West Ham United Homegrown XI:

West Ham United Homegrown duo Joe Cole and Michael Carrick

Stephen Bywater

There is a real dearth of options when it comes to the goalkeeping position, and some may argue that Stephen Bywater is a product of Rochdale’s academy rather than West Ham’s, but the 35-year-old was contracted to the Hammers between the ages of 16 and 24. Bywater made 59 league appearances for West Ham and now plays in the Championship for Burton Albion.

Glen Johnson

England international Glen Johnson has won 54 caps for the Three Lions, played for the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, and won four major trophies in his career to date. The full-back started his career at the Boleyn Ground and played 16 games for West Ham before departing for Chelsea. He now plays in the Premier League for Stoke City and was recently linked with a Hammers return.

John Terry

John Terry celebrates winning the Champions League with Chelsea

Having joined Chelsea at the age of 14, it could be argued that Terry was really a product of the Blues academy, but he spent 4 years with West Ham alongside the likes of Sol Campbell and Bobby Zamora prior to that. Terry has gone on to become a Chelsea legend, captaining the team, making more than 700 appearances and winning 16 trophies.

Elliott Ward

It was a choice of Reece Oxford or Elliott Ward to partner JT at the heart of this Hammers Homegrown XI, but on current ability alone, Oxford probably hasn’t overtaken the experienced centre-back just yet. The 31-year-old has played in the Premier League for West Ham and Norwich, but is currently playing for Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

James Tomkins

James Tomkins was a popular figure at West Ham

Versatile Hammers product James Tomkins can play in an array of positions, and that means we’ve forced him into the left-back spot. A fan favourite who many supporters were angered to see leave for Crystal Palace in the summer, Tomkins made almost 250 appearances for his boyhood club.

Michael Carrick

Aged 35 but still a class act, Michael Carrick’s importance to Manchester United has been exposed regularly this season, and he would walk into this starting XI. The classy midfield player who was often overlooked due to the genuis of Paul Scholes has played over 425 games for the Red Devils, winning 15 trophies.

Mark Noble

Mark Noble had his West Ham Testimonial in December 2015

The only current Hammer in this starting XI due to Reece Oxford’s omission, Mark Noble is West Ham through and through. Somewhat controversially still uncapped, Noble had a very good season last term and the club captain has made almost 400 appearances in claret and blue, having had his own testimonial in December 2015.

Junior Stanislas

Junior Stanislas looked as though he could become a big player for West Ham at one stage, making 28 appearances in the 2009-10 season at the age of just 20, but he soon fell out of favour and was signed by Burnley. The 27-year-old has moved on once again since then and is currently impressing in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard began his career at West Ham

Well past his prime but still active and still well worthy of a place in this team, Frank Lampard is one of the finest goal scoring midfielders of all-time. No Chelsea player has scored more in the club’s history, with Lampard having bagged 211 goals in 648 games following his West Ham departure in 2001. Aged 38, Lampard won 106 caps for England and 14 trophies as a player, including both the Premier League and Champions League.

Joe Cole

Like Frank Lampard, Joe Cole’s best years are well behind him. At West Ham, he appeared to be arguably the most naturally gifted English footballer since Gazza. On reflection, some will say he was misused and could have had a far greater career. Despite that, Cole still played for Chelsea, Liverpool and England, winning 11 trophies. He now plays for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Jermain Defoe

Jermain Defoe is in fine form for Sunderland

Jermain Defoe may be the wrong side of 30 like the aforementioned duo, but there is no suggestion that his best years are behind him. The former Tottenham man had his second best ever goal scoring season at Sunderland last term and is on course to have his best ever goal scoring season this campaign if he can maintain his form. How West Ham would love to have him back now.