Patrick Kelly does not recognise the player who joined West Ham 15 months ago. He has, in his own words, 'changed massively' both on and off the pitch.
“I was still a kid when I arrived," the Northern Irish midfielder reflected. “I've developed a lot, and feel in a better place as a footballer, both mentally and physically.”
Leaving home at age 17 is no easy feat, but Kelly quickly felt accustomed to east London as he made the transition from part-time to full-time football. A move from NIFL Premiership club Coleraine in July 2022 brought its challenges, though.
“You go from living with your family to Digs,” he added, “but with Callum [Marshall] being there as well who I have known since I was like nine or ten, it helped massively.
“After a couple of weeks, I was alright and now I am loving it. I live with a few of my best mates in the team right now – Sean [Moore], Ollie [Scarles], and Cal. It’s good!”
Having impressed last season, the plaudits for Kelly’s efforts have continued this term. Watching any of Kelly’s performances this season and what he is about. He runs. And runs. And then finds the energy to somehow run some more. He covers every blade of grass with effortless ease, whether supporting his mates in attack or protecting his defence.
In short, he is the typical unsung defensive midfielder. A player who keeps things ticking over and does so with minimal fuss.
“What I do for the team isn’t really about goals or assists,” he agrees, “but I’m working with [coaches] Gerard [Prenderville] and Steve [Potts] to try and add that to my game.
“I was unlucky to not score against Liverpool,” Kelly recalled, alluding to when he chipped the goalkeeper, only to see Gideon Kodua poke home the Hammers’ third in a 4-0 win from mere inches.
"That’s what I am looking to add to my game. But I think everything else is going pretty well at the moment.”
So far in 2023/24, Kelly’s performances have helped the U21s move 15 games unbeaten. Between international breaks, Potts’ side recorded four wins and four clean sheets on the bounce, scoring 14 goals.
Since then, Kelly found the net against Nottingham Forest and helped the Hammers into the last 16 with a 4-0 win away to EFL League Two Colchester United. They sit second in the Premier League 2 table.
But what is the secret behind the early success? According to Kelly, it is the atmosphere in the camp. The U18s’ winning momentum from last season has transitioned to the U21s this term. Simply, a group that is together off the pitch are thriving on it.
“A lot of us are stepping up from the FA Youth Cup winning team last season,” Kelly observed. “I think that's good because we have a really strong bond, won a lot of games, and we’ve brought that to this season.
“Me, Lewis [Orford], and the defenders are really happy with those clean sheets too across the last four games. We are scoring a lot, but the defence needs to do well also.”
Kelly, though, is always looking forward. He has become a regular in Northern Ireland’s U21 squad this season, starting a UEFA European U21 Championship win in Azerbaijan in October and also appearing alongside West Ham teammate Michael Forbes in a 3-0 defeat by England in November.
Likewise, an impressive run of performances in Premier League 2 has seen Kelly, alongside a few of his U21s teammates, train with the first team. And inch closer to a senior debut for Club and country.
“The first time I trained with them I was more shocked than anything,” he laughs. “You’re in the gym, looking around and seeing the likes of Lucas Paquetá. It's a bit mental because it is an unreal experience training with them.
“But hopefully, I’ll try and get as much time training with the first team and impress the gaffer [David Moyes] as much as I can.”
“I want to stay fit and do well for both West Ham and Northern Ireland U21s,” he concluded. “I want to try and impress when training with the first team and if I get my chance hopefully, I can take it.”
