Jonathan Leko delivered an eye-catching debut against West Ham United but West Bromwich Albion may well have to play a waiting game before they see the exciting potential of the teenage debutant.
Leko claimed the distinction of becoming the first player born in 1999 to start a Premier League game and showed glimpses of his exciting talent before West Ham took command to claim an emphatic triumph that boosted their hopes of European qualification.
While there was much for West Brom to be excited about, Pulis is not the greatest advocate of the academy system in English football, so the youngster, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo will probably find himself out on loan next season.
Leko is one of a number of young players at the Hawthorns who have been drafted into the first team squad recently, other notable ones being Tyler Roberts and Sam Field.
“Jon has got unbelievable talent. I think he’s a bit similar to [Yannick] Bolassie at [Crystal] Palace, but the kid needs to learn the game,” said Pulis, the West Brom manager.
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“Academy football is a system that is supposed to be there for excellence. What these youngsters need to do at an early age though is get out there and learn the game by playing League football; play as high as they possibly can, as young as they can.
“Then, they get used to playing in an arena where supporters come expecting their team to win. It means something, the pace of the game and working with seasoned professionals.”
Leko admitted to being surprised that he was given his Premier League baptism against the Hammers, coming as it did just six days after celebrating his 17th birthday.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” said the teenager modestly. “I was in the toilet and the gaffer called me out and said ‘you’re starting’ and I was like ‘what?’. I was ready to go though.
“I thought I played well, but am disappointed with the result as it’s all about the team. It was a good experience; when you hear them screaming your name, it makes you feel good, it gets you excited.”
Ratings
West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1): B Foster 6 – C Dawson 6, G McAuley 7, J Olsson 6, J Evans 5 – C Yacob 6 (sub: Sandro 61mins, 5), D Fletcher 7 – J Leko 7, C Gardner 7 (sub: S Sessegnon, 77), J McClean 6 (sub: S Berahino, 61, 5) – S Rondon 5. Substitutes not used: J Chester, B Myhill, R Lambert, T Roberts.
West Ham United (4-3-3): Adrian 7 – M Antonio 7, W Reid 7, A Ogbonna 6, A Cresswell 6 – M Noble 9, C Kouyate 8, M Lanzini 6 (sub: R Oxford 86mins) – D Sakho 6 (sub: E Eminike 65, 6), A Carroll 6, D Payet 7 (sub: V Moses, 80). Substitutes not used: D Randolph, J Tomkins, J Collins, S Byram.
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They were the first of their year in the Premier League
First 1980-born player to start in Premier League: Wayne Bridge, for Southampton v Charlton, Aug 1998
First 1981-born player: Gareth Barry, for Aston Villa v Arsenal, May 1998
1982: Jay Bothroyd, for Coventry v Man Utd, Nov 2000
1983: Jermaine Jenas, for Newcastle v Sunderland, Feb 2002
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1984: Darren Bent, for Ipswich v Bolton, Nov 2001
1985: Wayne Rooney, for Everton v Tottenham, Aug 2002
1986: James Milner, for Leeds v West Ham, Feb 2003
1987: Cesc Fàbregas, for Arsenal v Everton, Aug 2004
1988: Lee Cattermole, for Middlesbrough v Newcastle, Jan 2006
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1989: Theo Walcott, Arsenal v Watford, Oct 2006
1990: Martyn Waghorn, for Sunderland v Man Utd, Dec 2007
1991: Jack Rodwell, for Everton v Blackburn, Aug 2008
1992: Jose Baxter, for Everton v West Brom, Aug 2008
1993: Jon Flanagan, for Liverpool v Man City, Apr 2011
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1994: Adam Henley, for Blackburn v Liverpool, Dec 2011
1995: Luke Shaw, for Southampton v Swansea, Nov 2010
1996: Moussa Dembélé, for Fulham v Everton, Mar 2014
1997: Adam Armstrong, for Newcastle v Man Utd, Dec 2014
1998: Reece Oxford, for West Ham v Arsenal, Aug 2015
1999: Jonathan Leko, for West Brom v West Ham, Apr 2016