Toni Martinez is hoping to shine at West Ham this season

West Ham United v Sturm Graz Amateure - Preseason Friendly
West Ham United v Sturm Graz Amateure - Preseason Friendly

West Ham youngster Toni Martinez is hoping to break into the club’s first-team this season.

The 21-year-old Martinez arrived at the Hammers from Valencia in 2016 but has yet to make a Premier League appearance for the club, though he did make three appearances in the FA Cup last season.

He spent the second half of last season in his homeland of Spain with Real Valladodid who ended up winning promotion to the La Liga.

Martinez is one of the most highly-rated young players within the Hammers setup along with Nathan Holland and Josh Cullen and could be handed first-team opportunities by the club’s new manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Their is a striker spot available at the club due to the injury of Andy Caroll.

It also remains to be seen whether Javier Hernandez is still the striker that he was during previous years as he struggled to make a meaningful impact at the club last season.

If Martinez uses the advantage of the opportunities that will be given to him by Pellegrini, he could find himself rising up the club’s pecking order.

He told the club’s website: “I am fighting for my opportunity and I will keep working hard to be given the opportunity to be involved in the first team squad.

“Last season was brilliant for me. We achieved promotion in Spain, but this year it is all about West Ham. I have a great opportunity this year to be involved with the team, which is what I have been working so hard for, for the last couple of years.

“I will continue that hard work and I will see where it takes me.”

 

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