Mukasa's Midfield Education at West Ham
Divine Mukasa is quietly making a name for himself at West Ham United, and the early signs suggest Manchester City's decision to send him on loan is paying off. The 19-year-old has made nine appearances in all competitions for the Hammers, scoring two goals, and he is being asked to do something different from his usual game.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo has deployed Mukasa more as a central midfielder than a number ten or wide player, and that shift is allowing him to grow. It's a role that demands more than just attacking flair. Mukasa generally starts alongside Arne Engels, and he holds his own in duels, stepping in to make a challenge when required. The physical side of the game is being tested, and so far he's coping.
That's not to say there aren't areas to improve. Mukasa hasn't provided an assist this season, a stat that will nag at a player used to creating. But the bigger picture is promising. Returning to his boyhood club has lifted him, and the comfort of familiar surroundings appears to be helping him settle.
This loan spell follows a stint at Leicester City in the second half of last season, where Mukasa showed plenty of promising signs but also drifted out of games at times. That Leicester side was ultimately relegated to League One, a tough environment for a young player finding his feet. Still, it was his first taste of senior football in the Championship, and the experience was invaluable.
City's aim in sending Mukasa out this season was clear: aid his development and growth. Playing in midfield week in, week out, is doing exactly that. The challenge now is to add end product to his game, but the foundations look solid. For a club that values technical midfielders, Mukasa's progress will be watched closely.