Opinion: Leyton Orient could be haunted by decision to release 19-year-old prospect

01/05/2024 12:31

Leyton Orientannounced their retained list on Tuesday, and there were some intriguing names among those let go by the club.

Leyton Orient, as all EFL clubs will this summer, have confirmed the tough decisions to let go of a handful of players following the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign.

Among those let go by Richie Wellens and co were senior names like Rob Hunt and Adam Thompson, while a number of young players will also be moving on at the end of their contracts.

Alongside Harrison Sodje, Emmanuel Harvet and Ethan Light in leaving the O’s is Jephte Tanga. His exit has left some a little surprised, and it could be a decision that ultimately comes back to haunt Leyton Orient in the years to come.

An exciting prospect

Tanga may have only made three first-team appearances for Orient but he’s only 19 and has the best years of his career ahead of him. He also possesses a level of senior experience that few do at his age.

Tanga first spent spells further down the ladder with the likes of Sutton Common, Royston Town and Cray Wanderers but he’s stepped up to a good level this season. He’s spent the full 2023/24 campaign in the National League South, enduring the first-half with strugglers Welling United before switching to Maidstone United.

He’s played 46 times overall, returning four goals and five assists while playing either as a winger or centrally. So, not only does he have vast experience for a 19-year-old, but he possesses the versatility to play in a couple of different roles.

Maybe Leyton Orient don’t see a place for Tanga in their immediate plans and amid his senior breakthrough, they believe him heading elsewhere will be best for his development.

However, perhaps it would have been wiser to extend his stay and send him out on loan again if that is the case. A step up to the National League would likely suit him.

As a promising, versatile youngster with good experience already, Tanga may well be a shrewd signing for one of the O’s EFL rivals. He certainly has a future in the Football League, so the decision to ket him go way well come back to haunt Leyton Orient in the years to come.

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