OPINION
West Ham goalkeeper Nathan Trott clearly is in need of a loan spell away from the club to pick up vital first-team experience but it has to be the right move.
The 20-year-old shot-stopper is yet to make his senior debut for the Hammers, but did regularly impress across his 13 appearances in the Premier League 2 for the U-23s side in his 2018/19 campaign.
However just impressing in the youth system, isn’t going to make him ready to compete with Lukasz Fabianski to be the club’s No.1.
Trott has never had a loan spell away and it’s clear this summer is the ideal time to send him away.
This opinion seems to be held by West Ham vice-chairman David Gold as well, as he tweeted that the signing of David Martin from Millwall would allow the club to loan out the 20-year-old.
Just to confirm we have signed goalkeeping David Martin – son of Irons legend Alvin – on a free transfer from Millwall. His arrival will allow us to send promising youngster, England youth international Nathan Trott, 20, out on loan next season to gain first-team experience. dg pic.twitter.com/P6z8SLzsk8
— David Gold (@davidgold) June 3, 2019
“His arrival will allow us to send promising youngster, England youth international Nathan Trott, 20, out on loan next season to gain first-team experience,” wrote Gold via his personal Twitter account.
Claret & Hugh have since reported that Trott already has one club chasing his services on loan as AFC Wimbledon want him as their No.1 shot stopper in the 2018/19 season, Aaron Ramsdale, is set to return to Bournemouth as his loan spell has ended.
The reliable Hammers website claims that AFC Wimbledon boss Wally Downes is hoping to use his connections from his days as the Hammers’ defensive coach in order to have the advantage in the race for the 20-year-old.
Claret & Hugh note that West Ham would rather loan Trott to a Championship side, AFC Wimbledon are in League One, but that the English manager’s connections could see him seal a deal.
Yet while Downes would probably regularly play Trott, given his potential, if a Championship club emerges it would be better for him to go there.
After all being tested at a higher level earlier, and potentially succeeding, would see him be closer to making an impact at the London Stadium.
Championship teams are bound to come out of the woodwork for Trott especially after Gold indirectly advertised his services, and one of them should win his services, as that’s what would be best for him.