Out of nowhere, Jeremy Ngakia has burst onto the scene at West Ham this season.

Before this campaign, the 19-year-old had never made a senior appearance. However, he was included in the starting line-up for the first time against Liverpool. Coincidentally, his next appearance was against the same opponents, and he was then named on the teamsheet by David Moyes for the clashes against Southampton and Arsenal.

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According to ExWHUemployee, the Hammers have already offered him a new contract - in a short space of time, his importance to Moyes and co has risen dramatically.

Here, we take a look at three rave reviews from his performances so far this season...

Carlton Cole, former West Ham striker

Carlton Cole was something of a journeyman, playing for no less than eight clubs, but it was at West Ham where he spent the longest amount of time - he scored 67 times in 293 games.

Now a pundit, he had plenty of praise for Ngakia following his performance against the Reds, which the Irons lost 3-2.

He said, via Sky Sports:

"I thought his concentration and focus on Monday night was immense. To hold his own against someone like Sadio Mane, one of the best in the world at the moment, and other players like Andy Robertson, was a measure of his quality. Jeremy is a natural defender. I think he started as a winger, but he has that natural instinct to defend - his reading of the game and sense of positioning is very, very good."

It was a very good display from the teenager. Mane may have scored, but Ngakia was not overawed, making five tackles and winning 10 of his 18 duels.

That is easier said than done against a player who finished fourth in last year's Ballon d'Or rankings.

Pablo Zabaleta, West Ham right-back

Zabaleta has had a fantastic career at right-back. He made 333 appearances for Manchester City, for example, winning two Premier League titles, whilst he also has 58 caps for Argentina.

An expert in Ngakia's position, he clearly thinks he has a bright future ahead of him. He told the youngster directly on West Ham's YouTube channel:

"You’ve been superb. How old are you, 19? Keep working hard, listening, be a good professional and good luck in your career. You can go for 15 more years."

If anybody knows how to make a career in that role, then it is Zabaleta. He started out as a 17-year-old with San Lorenzo, and is still playing amongst the elite now.

Ngakia should take such praise and advice on board.

John Moncur, former West Ham player

Moncur was part of the furniture for the Hammers during the 1990s - he spent nine years at Upton Park between 1994 and 2003.

Speaking to the West Ham Fan Show on Love Sport Radio, he said of Ngakia:

"When you look back because you say I was there when they all come through. And it's a little bit like Glen Johnson; Glen Johnson come in. I mean, we sold him after 12 games. But in them 12 games he proved that he had a Premiership career. You know from the third or fourth game that he come in, he's going to be a star, you know, an asset to the club and I can see this with this boy. I'm really impressed with him."

Glen Johnson, of course, started his career at the Irons, but he made just 16 appearances before moving on to Chelsea.

West Ham will be hoping history does not repeat itself.