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And if you ask a Hammer when England will next win the World Cup, the answer will be something along the lines of: "When England next have three Irons in the side." And it would appear that the day is approaching ever nearer...
With the Academy producing the likes of Michael Carrick and Joe Cole, together with the nurturing of talent like Jermain Defoe - not to mention the skilful guise of Trevor Sinclair, and finally the goalkeeping prowess of David James, there has surely not been a better chance to have three Hammers in the team since 1966.
And it is very possible that all five will be included in Sven's first squad since the World Cup for the Portugal friendly. With Paul Scholes out injured, there is an opening in the team for Joe Cole to come in and show England what he can do. He was awesome against Arsenal at Upton Park on Saturday, and showed the country what all West Ham fans knew: he can do it.
He opened his goal account for the season in fine style, a wonderfully executed left footer into the bottom left corner of the net. He won a penalty which television replays showed to be deserved. And he bossed the midfield with great maturity - alongside Michael Carrick who should not slip into the background unnoticed.
Although that is perhaps the way the young Geordie likes it. After all, he has lived in the shadow of Joe Cole all these years and is maybe the better for it. A remarkable passer of the ball, he was more than a match for Patrick Viera at the weekend - something the observing Sven Goran-Eriksson couldn't have failed to notice.
Trevor Sinclair was a rather surprising conclusion for the World Cup squad this year - indeed, he was the last member added to the squad - but he set the team on fire down the left flank. After Sven showed faith in him once, he played his heart out as West Ham fans see him do week in week out, and the only time after his appearance the left side looked like failing was when Sven made the disastrous choice of putting Kieron Dyer on in his place against Brazil.
David James is vying with his namesake Seaman for the number one spot in goal for England, and is a certainly a worthy candidate. Seaman is surely not going to be around at the Euro 2004 Championships, and as thus it would be foolish to persist with him, and try and give a younger keeper a chance for the next few years. James would appear to be the leading candidate for this position, and his performances at Upton Park last year seemed to consolidate his credentials.
Finally we come to the excellent talent that is Jermain Defoe. Perhaps the least likely to be included - he is after all, still only 19 - he is still in with a shout. A natural goalscorer if ever there was one, he has been praised by England Under 21 boss David Platt on many occasions, and manager Glenn Roeder was doing likewise only a few days ago.
With all this in mind, providing they stay injury free, the question is not if any Hammers will be in the squad, but how many? The answer lies somewhere between three and five. Messers James, Sinclair and Cole are already in the squad - doubts remain on Carrick and Defoe.
Michael would have played for the Under 21s this summer, as Jermain did, but his hernia problems prevented him participating. After a rest this summer though, he may well be drafter into the squad this week, and given a chance. Likewise, Jermain may get the opportunity to shine with the seniors, with Teddy Sheringham unlikely to be recalled to the fold.
The future's bright. The future's claret 'n' blue...