Seeing hungry youngsters acclimatising themselves with the Premier League and trying to refrain from the clutches of animosity are inevitable sceneries. The urge to steal the headlines and cementing their stature in the first team squad of their respective sides and being in the good books of their gaffer does hold paramount importance. Not all get the breakthrough, for some wither away into nothingness and some others wander helplessly in the doldrums.
Then there are starlets like Reece Oxford who show heart whelming characteristics as they carve a niche by putting on display their magnificence and brilliance. Plying his trade for West Ham United, the 18-year-old was persuaded to put his pen to paper on his eighteenth birthday in order to commit his apparent long-term future to the club. A four-and-a-half-year deal it was from the Hammers; it tells a lot about the calculated risk they have taken, for his stocks are going to pile up.
However, it would not be inaccurate to take into consideration that the Englishman is bookmarked for the future, for he is still very young to shoulder responsibilities, week in and week out, which are generally beyond what the young guns of his age group could possibly bear without fading away. The English defender has definitely found opportunities pretty hard to come by but let’s not forget that he is still in his apprentice years and thus, he needs to be patient and learn from the senior pros of Slaven Bilic’s armoury.
Scottish Premiership outfit, Rangers, have reportedly cultivated a deep interest to sign Oxford on loan for the remainder of the season. Mark Warburton’s side needs potent weapons, but the Hammers should not let the world class youngster go on loan. The Premier League is entering into its climax parts and the London-based outfit would need quality as well as quantity to finish higher in the table. Oxford is someone who can be resilient in the defence as well as in the middle of the park who can come handy in the remaining games.
Versatility isn’t the only element which Oxford has on offer, for he is a serial threat in the air, has a notable flair in the way he operates, has raw pace in his legs, and possesses excellent heading abilities, is physically resolute and most importantly, remains unaffected by the pressure imposed on him. A loan move to the Ibrox Stadium would mean that he would have to compete with the likes of Rob Kiernan, Clint Hill, Danny Wilson and Phillippe Senderos, which implies that the England U20 star would barely be able to lay his wheels on track.
West Ham should rather monitor the progress of their prodigal son by keeping him close to them, making him acclimatise with the working of the senior side, try to give him a few minutes or even starts whenever situation permits and mould him as someone they can thoroughly rely on for years to come.
