Young Burke Is Waiting In The Wings As Opportunity Knocks

It is only a matter of time before the young centre-back gets a chance.

- David Bowden

The January arrival of former Southampton skipper Jose Fonte to replace Angelo Ogbonna is terrific business for West Ham - and could prove crucial in developing our young defenders.

Not only have we replaced an international defender with a player who shone on Europe’s biggest stage in the summer to help his country to Euro 2016 glory, we have also captured a leader of men, something we lack at the back at times.

Ogbonna, of course, deserves a great deal of praise for playing through the pain barrier for the cause.

But with us now left with only three recognised experienced centre backs in James Collins, Winston Reid and Fonte, you feel it is only a matter of time before our young defenders get their chance to shine.