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New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Kamari Doyle: What we learned from the Brighton youngster's season of two halves
During a recent guest appearance with Brighton & Hove Albion's official supporters' club, Gordon Greer identified Kamari Doyle when the loans manager was asked about a player to keep an eye on for the future. It is a good indication of Doyle's potential, considering that more than 20 players were loaned out by the club during the 2024-25 campaign at a variety of levels, including the Premier League. (Facundo Buonanotte spent the season at Leicester City, Evan Ferguson joined West Ham United on loan from the winter window, and Julio Enciso went to Ipswich Town from January.) Advertisement Doyle's career is heading in the right direction again after contrasting spells with two League One clubs in 2024-25. The 19-year-old playmaker's fortunes were transformed by a mid-season swap to Crawley Town from Exeter City. Doyle's loan to Exeter last August kicked off off in style. He scored his first senior goal from a free kick on his full debut in a 2-0 win away at Bolton Wanderers. Kamari Doyle with a stunning free kick 🎯 The former Southampton prospect learned a thing or too from James Ward-Prowse 😏#EFL | @OfficialECFC — ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 31, 2024 It was reminiscent of James Ward-Prowse, his mentor at Southampton, the club where he started as a seven-year-old, training at their academy in Bath. However, that goal turned out to be the high point of a stint that was supposed to last for the season but was cut short by Brighton in January after Doyle dropped out of the picture for Gary Caldwell's side. By the time Doyle returned to the Amex Stadium he had made the same number of league appearances from the bench (10) as in the starting line-up. In those games he contributed three goals and no assists, having mainly been used by Caldwell as one of two No 10s in a flexible 3-4-2-1 formation, or sometimes deeper as one of two No 6s. 'When he first came into the side he looked like a player too good for the level, really good on the ball, skilful,' Daniel Clark, Exeter correspondent for Devon Live, told The Athletic. 'The sticking point was not so much what he could do with the ball as off the ball. He wasn't sticking in positions to press and perhaps wasn't working hard enough to keep in the shape off the ball. 'That was the downfall which led to him dropping out of first-team contention. There were games where he had one or two brilliant moments but would otherwise be anonymous. He had the skills, the technique, but perhaps not quite the work rate to fit into the system they were trying to play. There is definitely a player there if he can put it all together.' A move instead to Brighton's neighbours was not an obvious fit aside from geography — Crawley is just 20 miles away. Doyle was taken off at half-time by Caldwell in Exeter's final fixture of 2024, a 4-4 draw at fellow strugglers Crawley from 4-1 down at the interval. The result left Crawley in relegation peril in 21st place. Advertisement Although he could not save them from the drop into the fourth tier, Doyle's form at Crawley was scintillating. He contributed seven goals and four assists in 21 appearances, including 15 starts, under Rob Elliot and then Scott Lindsey who took over in March. A purple patch in February and March saw Doyle score four goals with three assists over 11 league games, the highest number of goal involvements of any teenager in the top four tiers over the period. He followed that with two goals in a 4-0 win at Rotherham, prompting a cheeky request on Crawley's social media account to Brighton for an asking price to sign him permanently. 'We couldn't believe that he was potentially going to be available,' Elliot told The Athletic. 'I spoke to him and went down to Brighton, spoke to Gordon Greer. The questions about him were out of possession and his work rate. I didn't really see that myself when I watched him. I thought he worked hard and was very gifted. 'He can look to the eye sometimes a bit lethargic, the way he runs, but the eye impression can be different to the output. I spoke to a couple of players at Exeter that I know and they spoke highly of him. 'When I spoke to him, he was very mature for his age. I told him that if his work rate and out-of-possession stuff was spot-on, his ability is unquestionable. From minute one when he walked in until I left he was different class. 'He scored goals, was top of the stats for physical output, trained hard every day, was never a problem. He was just a joy to be around. He has got an exciting future in the game. He is two-footed, can score goals and control the game. He has got a really good opportunity. 'Eventually, I think he will be able to play a more dynamic midfield role as a No 8, but for now he is best as a No 10. You want him central, because he has a real knack of arriving in the box and he has got a fantastic finish. He comes alive in front of goal. Clubs spend millions for someone who can put the ball in the net.' Advertisement Doyle appeared to be a star in the making at Southampton. Born to an English-Jamaican mother and a Rwandan father, he signed a professional contract at the age of 17, made his first-team debut as a substitute against Brighton in the Premier League in May 2023 and represented England at junior levels. Brighton took advantage of his reluctance to commit to a new contract at Southampton when they signed him in the January 2024 transfer window, blooding him initially in the under-21s. His prolific loan at Crawley, to begin with under Elliot, has put his career back on track. Elliot made 52 Premier League appearances in goal for Newcastle from 2011 to 2020 during his playing days, which also included spells in the second and third tiers for Charlton Athletic, so he knows what it takes to play at the top level. 'I believe he can go as far as he wants,' Elliot said of Doyle. 'I wouldn't be surprised if he makes appearances for Brighton's first team. Whether he can maintain that and become a regular is hard to tell when you step up the levels, but I think he is going to get better and better. 'The best thing for him next season is to play regular football in a team that suits the way he plays, whether that is at the top of League One or maybe even the Championship.'
New York Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How to fix West Ham: Transfer targets, Potter's behind-the-scenes changes and squad overhaul
At least West Ham United ended with a win. Graham Potter's side concluded their season with a 3-1 victory against relegated Ipswich Town, with the away enclosure applauding the players off the pitch at the final whistle. Goals from James Ward-Prowse, captain Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus sealed the victory, but it was only the team's fifth in the Premier League this calendar year. Advertisement 'As a team, we have to be better for sure,' said Potter in his post-match press conference. 'I don't like relying on individuals to dig you out of trouble. I think we as a team need to defend and attack better. We've made steps in some areas but, attacking wise, we can do better. Our job now is to improve the squad to make sure the culture and environment that represents this amazing club is there properly and then we can achieve some good things, I think.' It is another reminder that Potter, whose two-and-a-half-year deal does not have a break clause, wants to ensure West Ham are competitive next season. This has been an uninspiring campaign, with two permanent managers (Julen Lopetegui and Potter), the departure of former technical director Tim Steidten and a 14th place finish, their lowest since the 2022-23 season. Here The Athletic looks at what Potter and his staff are looking to instigate over the summer as they plan to ensure progress next season. There is an array of talent West Ham have monitored ahead of the summer transfer window, and there is one particular player they have high hopes for. Potter wants to strengthen his midfield. Tomas Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, Lucas Paqueta, Andy Irving and Guido Rodriguez are among his current options. Carlos Soler has been another alternative, but his loan from Paris Saint-Germain will not be converted into a permanent deal. Despite Soucek's goalscoring attributes, Ward-Prowse's range of passing and Paqueta's wizardry on the ball, Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge is one of their top transfer targets. West Ham are one of many Premier League teams that want to sign the 24-year-old defensive midfielder this summer. Onyedika's deal expires in the summer of 2027, and this contract does not feature an option to extend. The Nigeria international has been a key player for the Belgian side this season, registering two goals and two assists across 51 appearances. It is not the first time West Ham have identified a talent at Club Brugge. In the summer of 2022, attacking midfielder Hans Vanaken rejected a switch to the London Stadium to remain in Bruges. Potter will hope for better luck this summer. Kyle Macaulay's appointment as head of recruitment was the start of Potter building the club in his own image. The pair have been inseparable since their time together at Ostersund. Macaulay started his non-playing career there as a performance analyst, before following Potter to Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion and then Chelsea. Like Potter, he moved to West Ham in January. Advertisement Potter plans to bolster the size of his recruitment team further. The club recently posted a job advert for a recruitment support analyst. The role entails supporting the first team recruitment department with video analysis, data insights, and artificial intelligence and machine learning integration in scouting operations. The manager expects it to be an exciting window, but West Ham need to sell before they can buy. The club does not have many sellable assets: Bowen is not for sale, while Paqueta's future remains in limbo as he awaits the trial into his alleged betting breaches to conclude. This leaves Kudus. The Ghana international has regressed over the last 12 months, scoring just two goals this calendar year (the other came at Brighton in April). Kudus has a buyout clause that is only active for the first 10 days of July and is valued at £80million ($108m) for European clubs, £85m for Premier League sides and £120m for Saudi teams. West Ham have not received any formal offers for the attacker. Before last weekend's 2-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest, an online petition created on May 14, called for the removal of majority shareholder David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady. It has garnered over 3,000 signatures at the time of writing. Despite some supporters voicing their displeasure over Sullivan's handling of West Ham, the 76-year-old remains committed and has no intention of selling his 38.8 per cent stake. When David Gold passed away in January 2023, his daughter Vanessa Gold became the club's joint-chair. The Golds own 25.1 per cent, the third-largest shareholders at West Ham behind Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's 27 per cent. Vanessa Gold has been trying to sell some of the family's shares for over a year. Rothschilds & Co is running the sales process but has yet to find a potential investor. Potter has stated repeatedly that he has a healthy relationship with the board. They sided with his judgement to bring in Macaulay, which played a part in Steidten's departure. Potter remains confident he will have the resources to improve the squad. Another target is reducing the average age of the squad. According to Transfermarkt, West Ham have the second highest average age (29.7) in the Premier League behind Everton (30.1). 'It's not necessarily an age thing, although I think it makes sense for us to lower it, because then you're talking more about value and resale and a different profile of player,' Potter said before the 3-2 defeat at Brighton. 'I'm not ageist, but I also understand the bigger global picture of football, and I've come in from the last two clubs (Brighton and Chelsea) where they would look to younger players because there are upsides to younger players.' Advertisement West Ham have shown interest in signing Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee. As many as 20 clubs have enquired about the 22-year-old's availability. McAtee has featured sporadically this season. As mentioned in February, Anderlecht attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens is also on West Ham's radar. The 20-year-old has registered five goals and five assists across 38 appearances this season. The club have had a longstanding interest in Lille forward Jonathan David, whose contract expires at the end of the season. West Ham held positive talks with David's representatives earlier this year, but the forward is not willing to give up European football to join. West Ham have turned their attention to Onyedika because their chances of signing Lille midfielder Angel Gomes remain slim. His contract is also set to expire at the end of June. Potter also has the unenviable task of dealing with a squad overhaul. Before the defeat by Nottingham Forest, West Ham announced that Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings will be leaving when their contracts expire at the end of June. The quartet were part of the side that won the Europa Conference League under David Moyes in 2023. Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio are nearing the end of their deals. Zouma, who was captain last season, joined Al Orobah on a season-long loan in August. Sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking anonymously to The Athletic to protect relationships, believe the 30-year-old centre-back will remain in the Saudi Pro League. West Ham have the option to extend Zouma's contract by a further year, but are unlikely to trigger the clause. In June, defender Nayef Aguerd joined the CanteraSport agency, who also represent Zouma. The Morocco international has spent this season on loan at Spanish side Real Sociedad. Potter was reluctant to admit whether Aguerd features in his long-term plans ahead of the Brighton defeat. In an interview with Marca in December, Aguerd admitted he is unsure what the future holds. 'I came here to find my best form again, first of all because I wasn't playing for West Ham and I want to enjoy every moment here,' Aguerd said. 'I still have two years left on my contract with West Ham. I don't know if I'll have to go back, I don't know if I'll stay here, I don't know if I'll go somewhere else. It's not in my hands.' Advertisement West Ham have held discussions with Antonio but are unlikely to offer the 35-year-old a new deal. The club have reservations over whether the forward can recapture his previous form. Antonio has been sidelined since December having sustained a broken leg in a car crash. The Jamaica international received a warm reception when he returned to the London Stadium before the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle United on March 10. Antonio, who is West Ham's all-time Premier League goalscorer, is confident he will play again. 'I'm 100 per cent (certain) I'll be back on the pitch,' he told BBC Morning Live in an interview that aired in March. 'This is why I'm in six days a week. I never give up, I always push myself, and this is just another setback. This isn't going to stop me.' It is not just Antonio who has an uncertain future. So do Maxwel Cornet, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Rodriguez and Alvarez, among others. Irving will re-evaluate his future in summer after his lack of game time. Potter handed the midfielder his first Premier League start in a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea. Irving was serenaded by West Ham fans throughout the game, but he only featured once (as a late substitute against Leicester City) in the next 14 league games. The 25-year-old had interest from European clubs in January but wanted to see out the season. Crysencio Summerville endured an injury-ravaged debut season. Following his £25m ($32m) arrival from Leeds United in August, the 23-year-old made an encouraging start but has been sidelined since January with a hamstring injury. He was supposed to be out for a few weeks but suffered a setback with his rehabilitation. Summerville initially opted against having surgery due to fear of complications, but followed through with the procedure in April. Although the winger is frustrated with the stop-start nature of his season, he has no intention of seeking an exit this summer. He is targeting a return for pre-season. Following Ollie Scarles' transition into the first-tram, Potter plans to give opportunities to George Earthy and Freddie Potts in friendlies this summer. The duo had successful loan spells at Championship sides Bristol City and Portsmouth respectively. Earthy was named young player of the year at Ashton Gate, while Potts signed a contract extension in March, tying him to the club until 2029. Fellow academy prospect Callum Marshall outlined his long-term ambitions in an interview with The Athletic. The 20-year-old scored ten league goals and provided four assists in 46 appearances during his loan spell at League One side Huddersfield Town. The club intends to loan him out again next season — but this time to a Championship club. Highly rated midfielder Lewis Orford will be loaned out to gain first-team experience, so too will young defender Kaelan Casey. It will be a pivotal summer for West Ham, but work is under way to ensure the disappointment of 2024-25 does not linger.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Graham Potter delighted to see Jarrod Bowen lead by example again for West Ham
West Ham head coach Graham Potter heaped praise on Jarrod Bowen after the 3-1 victory at Ipswich. The Hammers' captain netted for the fourth successive match – in his 200th appearance – after assisting with the game's opening goal, scored by James Ward-Prowse. Although the relegated hosts equalised after the restart through Nathan Broadhead, Bowen restored their lead soon after, before Mohammed Kudus wrapped up the win with a goal three minutes from the end. Potter said after the final Premier League contest of the season: 'I thought that his (Bowen) overall performance just sums up him as a person, how he performed today, the energy that he had. 'Everything that we did that was good. I thought it came through him. In and out of possession, helped the team, ran in behind, linked up, he was a real threat and everyone in the stadium could feel that when he had the ball there was a sharpness to him. 'There was a period in the first half where we lost our way a little bit and then we had to defend and then we had to suffer for about 10 or 15 minutes but apart from that I thought that we were in a good place. 'As a team we have to be better. I don't like to rely on individuals to dig you out.' Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna said his opponents showed Premier League experience and 'executed' better then his team in both boxes. McKenna said: 'I thought it was an even game, (a) well balanced game, we did a lot of good things to compete with West Ham. 'I thought we had more chances in the game than them and we have spoken lots this year about the difference in the category of the games and I think it's probably reflective of the challenges and the level we haven't quite been able to hit. 'So I think against most of the teams in most of the matches this year we were able to compete in terms of our principles and organisation and our football between both boxes. 'We were able to get to good positions in good areas but the execution of top end players in this division…with the experience and the calibre that they have, they execute more often than ours. 'West Ham executed better than us in both boxes and they take the points.'
BreakingNews.ie
25-05-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
West Ham finish with a flourish with victory at relegated Ipswich
Ipswich bid their farewells to their Premier League status after just one season in the top flight with a 3-1 defeat to West Ham in the final game of the season at Portman Road. Town gifted the first goal to James Ward-Prowse just before the half-time break following a dreadful back pass from skipper Sam Morsy. Advertisement They equalised just after the restart through Nathan Broadhead but the teams were level for just three minutes after Jarrod Bowen restored West Ham's lead and Mohammed Kudus put the icing the cake with a goal three minutes from the end. It was Town's ninth consecutive loss following their dismal season and they won just four games this season, three away – at Tottenham, Wolves and Bournemouth, and just one at home to Chelsea. Meanwhile, West Ham's season finished with them in 14th place. Town defender Axel Tuanzebe's backpass almost eluded Christian Walton and at the other end Omari Hutchinson shot was safely gathered by the Hammers' Polish goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski. Advertisement Broadhead brought out an excellent save from Fabianski and Morsy hit a low shot just wide from outside the penalty box. Niclas Fullkrug tangled with Dara O'Shea in the penalty area and the Hammers striker claimed he was fouled but referee Tim Robinson turned away his appeals for a spot-kick. Walton came to the rescue of the home side when he turned away a shot from Bowen and the ball rebounded to Ward-Prowse but he was crowded out by the Ipswich defence. Hutchinson struck the left hand post of the West Ham goal when he was found on the right by O'Shea but the offside flag was raised and the Tractor Boys fell behind in the 43rd minute following a dreadful error. Advertisement Tuanzebe's throw-in found Morsy and he put the ball into the path of an unmarked Bowen, who passed to Ward-Prowse for the West Ham midfielder to convert. Ipswich drew level in the 52nd minute through a wonderful strike from Broadhead. The Wales international collected the ball from Jens Cajuste and threaded his way into the penalty area, where he unleashed an unstopped shot past Fabianski. The Hammers were back in front three minutes later after Bowen played a one-two with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and rifled a shot past Walton. Within seconds of coming on as substitutes Jack Clarke and Liam Delap combined to almost make it 2-2 and Clarke's mazy run and shot across the penalty area nearly led to a goal as the ball went inches wide. Advertisement Kudus struck the Hammers third goal when he exchanged passes with Guido Rodriguez and bent a shot beyond Walton, while at the other end Clarke's cross across the six-yard area found Hutchinson – who just failed to find the back of the net. Massimo Luongo and Aaron Cresswell came on to play their final games for the two teams to loud cheers from both set of fans as the game drew to a close.
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Graham Potter delighted to see Jarrod Bowen lead by example again for West Ham
West Ham head coach Graham Potter heaped praise on Jarrod Bowen after the 3-1 victory at Ipswich. The Hammers' captain netted for the fourth successive match – in his 200th appearance – after assisting with the game's opening goal, scored by James Ward-Prowse. Although the relegated hosts equalised after the restart through Nathan Broadhead, Bowen restored their lead soon after, before Mohammed Kudus wrapped up the win with a goal three minutes from the end. Potter said after the final Premier League contest of the season: 'I thought that his (Bowen) overall performance just sums up him as a person, how he performed today, the energy that he had. 'Everything that we did that was good. I thought it came through him. In and out of possession, helped the team, ran in behind, linked up, he was a real threat and everyone in the stadium could feel that when he had the ball there was a sharpness to him. 'There was a period in the first half where we lost our way a little bit and then we had to defend and then we had to suffer for about 10 or 15 minutes but apart from that I thought that we were in a good place. 'As a team we have to be better. I don't like to rely on individuals to dig you out.' Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna said his opponents showed Premier League experience and 'executed' better then his team in both boxes. McKenna said: 'I thought it was an even game, (a) well balanced game, we did a lot of good things to compete with West Ham. 'I thought we had more chances in the game than them and we have spoken lots this year about the difference in the category of the games and I think it's probably reflective of the challenges and the level we haven't quite been able to hit. 'So I think against most of the teams in most of the matches this year we were able to compete in terms of our principles and organisation and our football between both boxes. 'We were able to get to good positions in good areas but the execution of top end players in this division…with the experience and the calibre that they have, they execute more often than ours. 'West Ham executed better than us in both boxes and they take the points.'
