Meet Kaelen Casey, 20, West Ham’s old-school centre-half with a passion for defending like England legends
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THERE is nothing more West Ham fans like to see than one of their own stepping up and shining from the academy. Since Declan Rice emerged in 2017 there have been glimpses of others coming through - and there are now high hopes for young defender Kaelan Casey, who could be close to starting in the Premier League under Graham Potter.
![[a soccer player with the number 14 on his jersey]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/west-ham-uniteds-angelo-ogbonna-948581962.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Like all young defenders, Casey is confident on the ball and happy to play out of the back. However, those who watch the youngster closely often say there is a more old-school feel about the 20-year-old. Casey has a real passion for defending and has picked the brains of some of the best around West Ham.
![[West Ham players laughing during warm-up.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/club-league-logos-live-services-964679918.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He has been compared to greats of the past such as Martin Keown or Terry Butcher given his more aggressive and safety-first approach to defending. Casey was on the West Ham radar from the age of five and joined their famed academy aged eight. He has been guided through the ranks by some of the Hammers' finest, leaning on advice from former captains Rice and Mark Noble at times.
![[a group of soccer players holding up a trophy on a field]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/kaelan-casey-west-ham-united-812631935.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Academy coach Kevin Keen has also been a huge influence, while Angelo Ogbonna - who he replaced for his Premier League debut - also took a keen interest in Casey's development before departing at the end of his contract last summer. Paul Nevin and Kevin Nolan, both first team coaches under David Moyes, have worked with Casey at both club and international level.
![[two young boys sit on a bench in front of a sign for upton park]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NINTCHDBPICT000948581691.jpg?strip=all&w=793)
