Exciting midfield prospect Lewis Orford says he is determined to build on a positive pre-season campaign by further implementing himself in boss Julen Lopetegui’s first-team plans.
The 18-year-old has followed a consistent path of progression ever since first joining the Hammers aged five, rising through the ranks to clinch FA Youth Cup glory in April 2023, after making his first appearance on the bench for the senior side away to FCSB in the UEFA Conference League and signing his first professional contract.
Orford has so far been named as a substitute on ten occasions at the top level, including four times in the Premier League last term, and now has his eyes set on emulating the likes of George Earthy and Kaelan Casey by getting his debut chance.
A promising few weeks after the end of last season saw Orford represent, and captain, England’s U18 side, and he has since impressed under Lopetegui, featuring for 45 minutes against Ferencváros in Austria, and most recently completing an hour in the 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.
“I think the summer’s gone really well so far,” Orford said. “We’ve been back for three weeks now, and I was pleased with how it went in Austria, and then obviously getting another 60 against Dagenham is really positive.
“It was good to get another run out, and I feel like I played well, particularly at the start of the second half. I think I’m in a good place at the moment - I’ve grown a lot physically over recent months and years - and I’m at the stage now where I think I’m ready for the first team.
“I loved seeing George and Kaelan get their debuts in the Premier League last year. I thought I was a bit unlucky not to get mine, but I think I’m in a good position now to get those opportunities going forward, especially with a new Head Coach having come in.”
Orford insists he has really embraced the methods introduced by Lopetegui and his coaching staff, that he feels suit his game, while he has enjoyed getting to know him off the pitch, too.
He continued: “I consider myself to be the sort of midfielder who likes to play around the back, and play forward. He likes to keep the ball a lot and switch it from one side to the other, which is a big part of my game.
“I’ve got a good range of passing, and out of possession he wants us to be aggressive, which I think suits me as well. Off the pitch I’ve enjoyed having chats with him and getting to know him, and I’m thankful for the chances he’s giving me. It’s just all about taking them now.”
Next up for the Claret and Blue Army is a trip to the USA, where they will continue their preparations for the start of the 2024/25 campaign, while also taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers (Saturday 27 July, 7pm EDT) and Crystal Palace (Saturday 3 August, 7pm EDT) in the inaugural Stateside Cup. Click HERE to secure your seats for those games now!
With four weeks to go until the Premier League opener against Aston Villa at London Stadium (Saturday 17 August, 5.30pm BST), Orford is looking forward to making the most of another chance to show what he can do on the first-team stage.
He added: “Going to America, and playing in the sorts of stadiums they’ve got over there, is going to be amazing.
“I’ve been working hard since I was a young boy, and the goal has always been to play for West Ham. That will continue, and hopefully in the US I can make some more steps towards making that happen.”
