By Joe Ellis

5th Apr, 2022 | 6:41pm

View: Sonny Perkins needs senior football now at West Ham

West Ham United are enjoying one of their best seasons in the last 30 years as they continue to fight for success in both the Premier League and the Europa League.

While David Moyes will undoubtedly be very content with the squad he has right now, it is only an injury or two for the wrong players away from being thrown into complete and utter chaos.

The Scot has managed all season by having just Michail Antonio as his strike options with winger Jarrod Bowen coming off the wing to play upfront whenever the Jamaican has been unavailable.

But even though a new striker seems to be the main target in the summer transfer window, the Irons actually have a very capable number nine already at the club and shining for the youth teams.

Sonny Perkins, 18, has emerged as one of the club’s top talents coming through the ranks and he scored his eighth Premier League 2 goal of the season last night as the Hammers beat rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-1.

Add to that the four in four he’s bagged for the Under-18s, as well as a senior appearance in the last Europa League group stage game against Dinamo Zagreb, and you’ve got a raw talent who needs that step up now.

It’s tough for Moyes to budge Antonio aside with every game meaning so much right now but he should be getting on the bench to offer that fresh energy that can sometimes fade away from the Irons late into games.

If their season goes pear-shaped in the coming weeks, the boss may then be more tempted to give these up and coming youngsters a chance in the Premier League as he could do so without too much consequence if there is nothing to play for.

In other West Ham news, there is an even younger number nine catching the eye of Hammers fans.