Reading Sign West Ham's George Earthy in Season-Defining Deal
Reading have struck a deal to sign West Ham United fringe player George Earthy, according to reports. The attacking midfielder has been on the bench in the opening two matches of the Hammers' first season back in the EFL, with Nuno Espirito Santo preferring to use Lewis Orford and a combination of Edson Álvarez and Mohamadou Kanté as his midfield duo.
What Happened?
The 21-year-old playmaker is now undergoing a medical in order to join the Royals, who are in preparation for their weekend clash on the road at AFC Wimbledon. Leam Richardson's side have had a slow window compared to many of their League One rivals, signing just four players so far this summer, including two attackers in Josh Stokes and Kyreece Lisbie.
Why it Matters for Reading
The signing of George Earthy adds quality to Reading's midfield, bringing experience and competition to the Royals. The 21-year-old playmaker has come through the academy at West Ham, making just five senior appearances, only one of which came last season in a brief cameo during their home loss against Fulham.
What Comes Next?
With Nuno Espirito Santo losing the talented Mateus Fernandes this summer, it has prompted West Ham United into a formation change, making George Earthy's role in the team much more limited. While he certainly had a future as a depth option for Jarrod Bowen on the right-hand side, the summer signings of Arne Engels and Manor Solomon have essentially knocked him out of contention, and sanctioning a move away is probably the best choice.
Hammers Need to Cut More Dead Wood
With the Championship season ahead of them, West Ham United need to somewhat trim a squad that has up until recently been bloated due to their European commitments. There are certainly some players who should be moved on as Nuno looks to give his youth options much-needed experience, with Lewis Orford and Mohamadou Kante two who have bright futures in East London.
Rotation Will Be Key
Rotation will be key to the season and while Earthy will get plenty of chances to play and prove himself having finally moved away from his boyhood club, and alongside the current options adds further quality to the Royals as they seek to redeem themselves after last season's disappointing collapse. The former was one of Earthy's teammates during his loan spell at Bristol City, who he featured for 11 times during the second half of the campaign in his second spell at Ashton Gate.
Current Form
Reading are currently 12th in League One, 63 points from 46 games, with a recent form of LDLLL. They have scored 64 goals this season, conceding 60, with a goal difference of +4. They are 40 points behind leaders Lincoln and are looking to get back on track after a disappointing collapse last season. Their last result was a 0-1 loss to Blackpool on May 2nd, and they are looking to bounce back with a win against Oxford United on September 8th.
Image Prompt
A photorealistic image of a 21-year-old anonymous midfielder, wearing a blue and white striped jersey made of smooth fabric, with a white pair of shorts and black boots, standing in a floodlit stadium with a shallow depth of field, taken with an 85mm f/1.4 lens, with a focus on the eyes and a sharp texture on the skin and fabric.
