West Ham will be watching Bristol City closely for one big reason: View | OneFootball

West Ham will be eager to see how young attacker George Earthy fares in his season-long loan at Bristol City

Bristol City managed to acquire the services of highly-rated prospect George Earthy on a season-long loan deal this summer, and parent club West Ham United will undoubtedly keep real tabs on his development.

Under the tutelage of Liam Manning, the Robins' recruitment strategy is patently clear.

They are following suit from an increasing number of Championship rivals - notably Sunderland and Portsmouth - in adopting a youth-centred approach towards making moves in the market, with all of their seven summer recruits aged 25 or under.

Of those deals, five were permanent including the return of last season's loan star Scott Twine from Burnley, who made a brief but lasting impression at Ashton Gate. Meanwhile, two loan agreements were struck as Manning brought in Japanese winger Yu Hirakawa of Machida Zelvia alongside Earthy.

The 20-year-old talent has played just sixteen minutes of Championship football to date, although he is currently recovering from an ankle injury and may be in line to feature in his side's trip across the Severn Bridge to Swansea City on September 29.

Before then, City will be looking to regain momentum after heading into the international break off the back of a shock 3-0 hammering away to newly-promoted Derby County. Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United are next on the schedule.

West Ham United's George Earthy is a promising Bristol City signing

Although Earthy has not exactly made an instant impact upon proceedings, the Robins still deserve credit for getting the deal done in the first place.

It could quite well pay dividends before long too, but patience may be required.

Earthy is among the most highly thought-of prospects to emerge from the Hammers' vaunted academy system in recent years, having tallied up some seriously impressive displays at age group level.

Most at home on the left-hand side of a front three but capable in attacking midfield or on the opposite flank, Earthy's attacking versatility represents a strong opportunity for Manning to experiment with different options and be flexible within his selections.

Of course, versatility bears great importance across a toiling and unforgiving 46-game season, where injuries, inconsistency and both physical and mental fatigue come into play.

Away from that, Earthy is remarkably talented and the regard in which he is held in back at the London Stadium reveals as much about just how exciting a pickup he is.

Indeed, the winger has already scored his first Premier League goal, having found the back of the net just a minute after coming on as a substitute during West Ham's 3-1 victory over Luton Town back in May.

He finished the season with four appearances under his belt across all competitions, which is somewhat impressive given the wealth of West Ham's wide options.

West Ham United will be watching George Earthy's Bristol City progress

Make no mistake about it, the Hammers will not be neglecting to keenly monitor Earthy's development down the M4. Almost invariably, Premier League clubs are careful, measured and selective in the destinations they determine for their most promising young guns.

The location, club's ambitions, style of play, previous reputation with loan players, competition for places and level of coaching are just a handful of the countless considerations which are mulled over in advance.

It is a diligent and extensively thought-out process which is conducted at the best interests of both player and parent club, so West Ham will hope to have their faith in the Robins vindicated in the months to come.

They have clearly identified the red quarters of Bristol as the best environment to cultivate Earthy's immediate progression, and with good reason given the reputation which City have when it comes to developing young players.

Should the move fail to come to fruition, you could certainly imagine Julen Lopetegui and co plotting a potential recall in January. It will be hoped, though, that such a scenario does not prove to be the case and Earthy can instead make real inroads to meeting his clear potential this season.