Each week, we'll be firing some of football's true 'need-to-know' questions towards promising products of the Academy of Football.
This week, it's the turn of 17-year-old defender Jamal Baptiste...
Quick Fact: Baptiste became the second-youngest player ever to play for West Ham United's reserve team when he lined up against Valencia 'B' back in September 2019 in a 1-0 win in the Premier League International Cup. Making his debut at 15 years, ten months and one day old, he's bettered only by U23s teammate Jayden Fevrier, with Mark Noble in third.
On the Field
Who got you into football?
My parents really guided me to pursue a career in sport
Favourite player growing up?
Probably Sergio Ramos or John Stones
Strongest attribute?
My confidence and my ability on the ball
Want to get better at?
I need to improve my leadership skills
Best moment of your career so far?
Making my U23s debut at 15-years-old against Valencia 'B', and my first-team debut against Doncaster in January
Biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
To always stay focused and concentrated
Off the Field
Favourite other sport?
Tennis
Favourite account to follow on Instagram?
@433 - it's great for football and makes me laugh
You’re watching at the moment…
I've just finished watching Lupin and I really enjoyed it!
If you weren’t a footballer you’d be…
An accountant!
Favourite song right now?
Drip From Me - Yxng Bane
If you had one last meal?
Chinese - Egg Fried Rice and Sweet and Sour Chicken
Around the Academy
Best touch?
Alfie Lewis
Funniest?
Myself - no, I'm joking! Remy Coddington
Future manager?
Archie Woods
Most committed?
Joseph Anang
Better than they think they are?
Keenan Forson
Three teammates you’d be stuck on a desert island with?
Dan Chesters, Manny Longelo and Iyiola Adebayo
Quickfire Questions
YouTube or Instagram?
YouTube
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
New trainers or fresh trim?
Fresh trim
Messi or Ronaldo?
Lionel Messi
Win the Champions League or World Cup?
World Cup
Classic 40-yarder or dribble past everyone to score?
Dribble past everyone
