One of West Ham United Academy’s most exciting prospects, Ezra Mayers is fully embracing his transition from the U18s to the U21 set-up.
His record with the U18s last season speaks for itself. Fearless and dependable at the heart of defence, Mayers’ first campaign as a scholar was one to remember.
Playing almost every minute of West Ham’s first 20 league games, Mayers and his teammates were on course to defend the Premier League South title.
However, an injury to U21s centre-back Luizão would see the 17-year-old get a well-earned shot at competing in the higher age groups. After making his Premier League 2 debut as a first-half substitute against Derby County in early April, Mayers would play every minute of the U21s remaining games. Partnering up with Kaelan Casey and Michael Forbes at the heart of defence, Mayers helped the U21s reach the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 Play-Offs.
“After the Derby game, I was playing and training every week with the U21s up until the last game of the season,” he recalled. “It was a big step up; it’s more physical and technical. You’ve got to think quicker on the ball, but I feel like I’ve adjusted quite well.”
Although Mayers only missed three games due to his commitments with the U21s, the U18s' title challenge petered out, shipping 15 goals during his three-game absence, accounting for almost a third of the goals conceded in the entire season. The nine points dropped in those three games showed just how important his presence on the pitch was.
Unsurprisingly, Mayers’ breakout season would see him sign his first professional contract days after turning 17 and collect the 2023/24 Dylan Tombides Award and Doris Bell Trophy, accolades recognising the Academy of Football’s outstanding scholar.
He recalled: “It was a proud moment for me. I worked hard all season with my teammates, who have helped a lot, so I’m very grateful to have won this award.
“Playing with the U21s consistently is the next step in my journey. Hopefully this season I can do that and improve my game.”
Returning from his first trip away with the U21s, a pre-season training camp in southern Spain, Mayers has been one of the standout performers from the young Hammers’ behind-closed-doors friendlies against Granada and Real Betis B.
“Granada was the third men’s team I’ve played against this pre-season [after games against Ebbsfleet United and Maidenhead United]. I’m still getting used to that! They held the ball so well, so there were plenty of defensive actions for me to do.”
Commended for his maturity on the pitch, the 17-year-old will be looking to translate his U18s form into the U21s set up under the guidance of lead coach Mark Robson.
“He’s a very intelligent coach,” Mayers observed. “You can see that he knows the game very well in the way he sets up his teams, regarding the rotations, patterns of play. I think it will be enjoyable working under him this season.”
For the upcoming campaign, expectations are high, but Mayers knows that there is plenty of room for improvement if he wants to continue his remarkable rate of progress; the ultimate goal being a spot on the first team.
“This year I want to develop my communication on the pitch. For the U18s, I was one of the loudest, whereas with the U21s I’m still finding my feet. I want to bring the same energy and clarity into my new team. That’s the next step for me. Sometimes, because the games are much faster, I’m thinking about my own game, rather than helping other players with their positioning, but that’s something that will come with more experience in the U21s. I can’t wait for the new season!”
West Ham United's U21s and U18s kick-off their respective Premier League seasons this coming weekend, with Robson's U21s travelling to Brighton & Hove Albion in Premier League 2 on Friday evening, and Lauris Coggin's youth team hosting Arsenal at Little Heath on Saturday morning.
