George Earthy’s unwavering love for West Ham United is palpable as he passionately outlines what sets him apart in his bid to become a first-team regular under head coach Graham Potter.
“It would mean a lot to me to be a first-team regular at West Ham,” he tells The Athletic. “My family are West Ham crazy so to fully cement a place in the team would mean everything. I’m still a season ticket holder, so I know how it feels to be a West Ham fan. I know how the supporters feel during a win, defeat or draw.
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“I’m one of them, and it would mean everything to help the club. I’ll go the extra mile. I know how it feels to lose a match and it taking ages to get over it. I’m optimistic about the future and I back myself.”
The 20-year-old joined Championship side Bristol City on a season-long loan in August. During that loan spell, the England Under-21 international has registered three goals in 36 league appearances, 11 of which have been starts. Earthy has featured heavily in Liam Manning’s promotion-chasing team, who will aim to secure their play-off spot in Saturday’s home fixture against Preston North End. They are currently fifth.
Earthy believes the lessons from his loan will put him in good standing for his return to West Ham.
“I arrived here with a certain target for goals and assists,” the midfielder says. “I haven’t got as many as I want, but I can be proud of my first ever loan, especially with it being in the Championship.
Earthy lives in the city centre in Bristol, which has helped him settle. He has started five of their last six league games, with his best contribution being an equaliser in the 1-1 draw against QPR.
Earthy celebrates scoring for West Ham last season (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
There are positive signs ahead of his impending return. Potter and academy staff have monitored Earthy’s development. The head coach has also shown willingness to promote youth since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January. He gave 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Orford his senior debut against Crystal Palace, young defender Kaelan Casey has been an unused substitute on five occasions under Potter, while Ollie Scarles’ trajectory led to an England Under-20 call-up in March.
Lopetegui handed Scarles his Premier League debut against Bournemouth in December — and the left-back has developed into a first-team regular, dislodging Emerson Palmieri in the process. Earthy, a member of the FA Youth Cup-winning team in 2023, hopes he can follow suit.
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“It’s great to see Ollie doing well, and it motivates all the academy boys,” says Earthy. “Seeing his progress from afar makes me want to be in a similar position next season. It makes you think, ‘If Ollie is doing it, why can’t I?’ I saw the manager and his backroom staff recently at the training ground. I didn’t want to go back to pre-season, and it being my first time meeting them. The gist of the chat was keep doing what you’re doing and let’s get to work in pre-season.”
Earthy made his first-team debut 13 months ago against Fulham. He was rewarded for his performances with the Under-21s, having amassed nine goals and assists under Steve Potts. Former manager David Moyes integrated Earthy into the senior team towards the latter stages of the 2023-24 season. Kurt Zouma (on a season-long loan at Saudi Pro League club Al Orobah), Danny Ings, Lucas Paqueta and Aaron Cresswell helped Earthy settle into a new environment. The quartet were also there for him during his toughest moment.
Moments after entering the field against Fulham, Earthy sustained a serious head injury when he collided with team-mate Edson Alvarez. Play was stopped for eight minutes as Earthy received medical attention after players of both sides had immediately raised concerns. The youngster left the pitch on a stretcher with an oxygen mask and a neck brace.
He then left the London Stadium in an ambulance with his family. When Earthy was discharged from the hospital, he was informed a particular team-mate went above and beyond to check on his well-being.
“I don’t remember much about it,” says Earthy in a jocular mood. “It happened so quickly. I remember the buzz of making my debut, and I’m just grateful I didn’t get knocked out before having a few touches. I went from being on the pitch to waking up at the hospital, not knowing why I was there. I was a bit all over the place after I woke up. I was in serious pain, and I thought I’d broken my neck.
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“I had a crazy headache because my nose was broken. A lot of the lads sent nice messages and it wasn’t until days later when I found out Nayef Aguerd (who is on a season-long loan at Real Sociedad) contacted my dad to make sure I was fine. He’s a top guy and so down to earth. He’s one of those team-mates you value as a friend. My dad (Paul) is a season-ticket holder and loves West Ham, so he was shocked when Nayef phoned him.
Earthy being treated after his head injury (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
“He said to my dad, ‘This is Nayef, I play with your son’. As if my dad wouldn’t know who he is already! My dad was buzzing when he phoned because he doesn’t get to speak to players that often. I thanked Nayef when I recovered. It was nice of him to go out of his way to see if I was fine.”
Given the nature of Earthy’s injury, he had to follow the FA and Premier League concussion guidelines ahead of his return to play. He missed the next two league games against Crystal Palace and Liverpool. He was an unused substitute against Chelsea but had an immediate impact after his introduction against Luton Town.
“I scored my first senior goal for West Ham with my first touch after coming on,” he says. “It was a full circle moment from what I experienced on my debut. All the boys were buzzing for me. Reece Burke (the Luton defender and ex-West Ham academy prospect) congratulated me after the game. I didn’t keep the match ball or the shirt, I wasn’t really thinking at the time. But it’s a moment that I will never forget.”
Earthy’s progression culminated in him being named young player of the year. Previous recipients include Declan Rice, Ben Johnson, James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Freddie Sears and Reece Oxford. Earthy hopes to mirror some of their success, and it is his dedication which will serve him well. After Lopetegui’s appointment in May 2024, he was given a tour of Chadwell Heath training ground by sporting director Mark Noble. The Spaniard had a brief exchange with Earthy, who was training on his day off.
George Earthy meeting Julen Lopetegui 👏⚒️ pic.twitter.com/K2maMFczMX
— COYIrons (@COYIronscom) May 24, 2024
Lopetegui told Noble he was aware of Earthy. He hoped to play under the Spaniard but opted to go out on loan once it became clear first-team chances would be slim.
“I just wanted game time, in all honesty,” says Earthy. “The new manager came in and I was part of the pre-season. As soon as it became clear I wouldn’t be involved, it was a no-brainer to go out on loan. I used to work with the (Bristol City) gaffer (Liam Manning) at West Ham, so it helped that we have a pre-existing relationship. I knew how he wanted to play and what he demands from players. I didn’t really speak to anyone for advice because I wanted to experience it myself. The Championship is an intense league and it was about getting used to it.
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“Everyone helped me feel settled on and off the pitch, but I got injured quite quickly. I came off the bench against Coventry (in August) and injured ligaments in my ankle, which set me back. It took me time to get back in the team. Now this is the best I’ve felt all season. It was tough initially because it was a new experience. I went from being on the bench at West Ham with little expectations to then going on loan, being expected to have a massive impact.
“Coming here on loan has made me realise how resilient I am. You need to have that mental toughness to cope with the good and bad times in football. It’s helped me grow as a person and a player.
“I feel ready for when I return to West Ham. In all honesty, I felt ready last season, but it was about proving myself. It didn’t come as a shock to me when the manager gave me a chance. I prepared and worked hard for that moment. The goal is to play and do well for the club I love. Let’s see what happens.”
(Top photo: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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