The Prospects: Airidas Golambeckis, West Ham United

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Yet, on this occasion, we discovered Airidas Golambeckis had been asked to play a slightly different role. Date of birth: November 4, 2007 (18) Position: Centre-back/defensive midfielder Golambeckis was born to Lithuanian parents but, in terms of West Ham, he is as local as they come. He was born in East Ham and joined the Hammers’ academy at the age of eight. His physical stature saw him playing up a year or two at age-group level, becoming a regular in the under-18s when he was an under-16. He maintained that progress to step up to the under-21s in the same season, 2023-24. Described on the West Ham United website as “an elegant, ball-playing centre-back”, Golambeckis is actually as comfortable in midfield and went on to sign full-time scholar forms in the summer of 2024. His first professional contract followed in November of that year. While featuring heavily in the West Ham under-21s squad, Golambeckis also started every game for the under-18s as they won the Premier League Cup for the first time last season. He also followed in the footsteps of Declan Rice by captaining the club’s under-21s this season well before turning 18. At international level, he represented Lithuania at under-15 and under-16 age groups, but has since switched to England. He has been capped nine times at both under-18 and under-19 levels.  He joined the Hammers’ senior squad in pre-season and has been named on the bench in the Premier League four times and twice in the FA Cup, without yet being handed his debut. Golambeckis may predominantly be a central defender but, for the short trip across London to face Fulham in the Premier League 2 play-offs, he was utilised in a holding-midfield role. His most eye-catching moment of the evening was scoring the crucial final penalty in the shootout after a 2-2 draw, sending his team through to the quarter-finals in the process, with a cool finish into the bottom corner. But, overall, his performance as West Ham captain can best be described as quietly effective. Sitting in front of the back four, he was their insurance policy. Whenever one of the back line pushed out or was dragged out of position, he would simply drop in to cover, displaying an understanding of where the danger was. He rarely ventured too far forward when the young Hammers were on the attack, forever guarding against Fulham counter-attacks, and he took a particular interest in tracking Fulham’s Jayden Quashie. Although he sat in the anchor role, he was not overly involved in the play. West Ham did look to play out from the back, but often bypassed Golambeckis. Fellow central midfielder Lewis Orford was more of a playmaker. Over his night’s work, Golambeckis completed only 22 passes — hardly a high number in a 120-minute game — with a passing accuracy of 74 per cent. He did display his range later in the game with a superb cross-field pass for left winger Regan Clayton and, when West Ham went 2-1 down in extra-time, he threw off the shackles somewhat and began to drive forward more with the ball. Still, he was rarely seen in the Fulham final third except at set pieces. His physicality was a threat and he had one headed opportunity from a free kick which went wide. Usually from set plays, he would look to run beneath the initial delivery for a nod back into the area, but West Ham were unable to find him. He was particularly dangerous on long throws and his delivery, which was impressive and could reach the middle of the six-yard box, led to West Ham’s first equaliser just before half-time. Whenever they won a throw-in in the final third, he would launch the ball into the box, as has become a current trend in the game. Later, he displayed his versatility by dropping into the back four and made some timely blocks and interceptions in the closing stages of a tight game that could have gone either way. He won three duels, one tackle, made two interceptions and regained possession for his side three times. His ability to read the game was certainly evident, especially as the contest drifted on, with players saddled with tired legs and minds. His composure continued in the penalty shootout as his crucial fourth penalty was followed by a Fulham miss to see the Hammers through. Like so many of the players featured in The Prospects series, his next step may have to be a senior loan to test his abilities even more in a tougher, competitive environment. But judging by this display, Golambeckis seems to have the temperament to cope. Spot the pattern. 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