Fulham dealt a serious blow to West Ham’s Conference League hopes after a 2-0 defeat. However, the scoreline of the effect got lost from public focus when George Earthy, the West Ham midfielder suffered a horrible concussion in his debut match.
The late substitution, which initially looked like David Moyes’ attempt to shuffle the midfield, turned into a horror show after 20-year-old Earthy clashed with Edson Alvarez in the 82nd minute of the match.
The proud moment of getting his first Premier League appearance soon subsided as he was seen being stretchered off with medics keeping his head braced and an oxygen mask on his face. As per recent reports, the youngster is stable and recovering.
Who is George Earthy?
George Earthy is a teenage midfielder who came on for Michail Antonio in the 80th minute in West Ham’s defeat against Fulham. Born in 2004, it was the 19-year-old’s debut in the Premier League after strong performances in the Premier League 2 where he scored nine and assisted nine in just 20 games.
Earthy originally played as an attacking midfielder. Earthy got his first professional debut for West Ham earlier in March when the Hammers routed Freiburg 5-0 in the Europa League.
Who are the parents of George Earthy and where does he live?
The midfielder is one of the three sons of Paul Earthy and Ann Earthy. Earthy has said multiple times that he comes from a long line of West Ham fans in his family. The Earthy family lived in Hornchurch when he was born, 15 minutes away from the club, and have not switched locations.
George Earthy, centre, with, from left, his brothers James and William, and parents Ann and Paul (Photo via The Athletic)
George is the youngest of three brothers in the family. He has a close bond with his siblings and cherishes sibling rivalry and fight. He also believes that the sibling rivalry actually made him better.
“There was a lot of competition,” Earthy said. “If there was a game, football or anything really, I always wanted to beat them. I think that definitely pushed me to be better,” added Earthy, during an interview with his club.
Which youth academy did George Earthy play for?
George Earthy, a boyhood West Ham fan, came through the Hammers ranks. He had joined the youth setup of the East London side when he was just six years old.
Before joining Chadwell Heath, Earthy was playing for a local side named Hornchurch and Brentwood before that. As the youngster said, “Before then I was playing for a local team Hornchurch and Brentwood. but all I have really known is West Ham. I’ve gone to Chadwell Heath so many times, going there is like a second home now.”
Earthy has gone through the ranks and has now become the latest addition to the Hammers senior team.
FA Youth Cup and League title success
After joining the Chadwell Heath outfit, Earthy has enjoyed a steady rise in ranks. He was an integral part of the U18s FA Youth Cup and league title in 2022/23. In the FA Youth Cup, he has played in all six matches and scored thrice, against Burnley, Stoke City, and Arsenal.
Talking about the FA Youth Cup, Earthy said, “The FA Youth Cup is such a big trophy. It’s all you hear about around Academies so it’s a big achievement for us. Many of us have been playing football with West Ham since we were eleven – or even younger – and have moved through the Academy age groups with each other. It makes it extra special winning a cup when you are playing with your mates. It’s what you dream of really.”
Aside from the FA Youth Cup, the young No. 10 has had an incredible time in the other competitions as well. In the Premier League 2, he has a goal contribution of 22 in just 40 games. For the U18s, he scored 25 and set up 18 in 60 games, and a similar arc (26 goal contributions in 48 games) followed at the U21 level.
Contract information of George Earthy
Earlier in September 2023, Earthy signed a three-year contract with the club. Sporting Director Mark Noble, who is also Earthy’s idol, sounded great pleasure in being able to retain the latter in Craven Cottage.
“It has been a great journey so far for George – he played a big part in helping the Under-18s to win the FA Youth Cup and league double last season and has handled the step up to the Under-21 level really well. We are all excited to see him continue his footballing journey and wish him the very best for his future career with West Ham United,” said Noble.
A ‘buzzing’ George added, “I am buzzing to continue my journey at West Ham. It means a lot to play for the team you support – and this contract is a massive vote of confidence in myself as a player going forwards.”
According to reports, Earthy is on a weekly wage of £1200 per week, which makes him one of the lowest-paid professional players in the Premier League. Annually, he will earn £62,400 for his services. He is currently wearing the no.40 shirt in the senior team but it will be updated in the coming days.
Physique and Playing style of George Earthy
The 5’11” attacking midfielder has a diminutive stance on the ball, lowering his centre of gravity. He has exceptional control on both feet, making it easier for him to evade defenders. He usually likes to change directions rapidly, shifting away from players rather than running at them with pace.
He has a good eye for intricate passes and likes to split the lines. Earthy is adept at finding spaces and creating favorable angles for himself before shooting or placing the ball in the net.
Despite being lanky, Earthy possesses good strength on the ball. He is not at all easy to dislodge and does not cheaply concede possession in risky zones. Although he does have a penchant for the occasional spectacular, he has a very mature head, justifying his growth.
