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‘Different class’: Declan Rice says West Ham have a superb young talent in their ranks

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West Ham United youngster Oliver Scarles has received praise from the likes of Declan Rice and Pablo Fornals for his midweek Europa Conference League display.

The 16-year-old made his Hammers debut in Thursday’s Group B trip to Romanian giants FCSB.

With West Ham already through to the last 16 of the competition, David Moyes gave 14 senior players the night off.

FCSB v West Ham United: Group B - UEFA Europa Conference League
Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images

In their place, the likes of Scarles and Divin Mubama came in for their Hammers debuts.

Other young players, like Flynn Downes and Conor Coventry, featured against Mihai Pintilii’s charges.

Scarles became the sixth youngest player in West Ham history when starting at left wing-back.

And he delivered a superb display on his full debut in the absence of Aaron Cresswell and Emerson.

FCSB v West Ham United: Group B - UEFA Europa Conference League
Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images

Football.london gave Scarles 8 out of 10 and wrote: “Really impressed in the first half, providing good energy and crosses from the left side, creating a good first half chance for fellow debutant and teenager Divin Mubama, shortly after teeing up Fornals in similar fashion.

“Deservedly the star man, pretty much everything Moyes could ask for in that position. Really attacking, with crosses leading to chances, including the move for Fornals’ second. So close to a debut goal as well and he would have deserved it too.”

Scarles took to Instagram after the match expressing his pride at making his professional West Ham debut.

And here is what Rice and Fornals wrote in response: