West Ham United fans were left scratching their heads by the latest transfer speculation surrounding young enigma Reece Oxford.
West Ham United have had their fair share of talented youngsters over the years and Reece Oxford is no exception.
Oxford shot to prominence when he made his debut with a midfield masterclass in a 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates in the opening game of the 2015/16 season aged just 16.
He has found game time hard to come by since. Slaven Bilic, David Moyes and now Manuel Pellegrini have all been reluctant to use him.
Pellegrini trusts in youth, just not Oxford
That’s despite his new manager showing he trusts in youth.
Issa Diop and Declan Rice are two of the first names on the Chilean’s teamsheet and Grady Diangana has also been given a run in the side.
Damning indictment on the ‘new Rio Ferdinand’
It is a damning indictment that Oxford cannot earn a place in West Ham’s squad.
Pellegrini is nursing a Premier League-worst injury list so the pathway should be clear.
So West Ham fans must have been left baffled by a report in The Mirror this week.
The report claimed champions Manchester City, German giants Borussia Dortmund, Hoffenheim and Oxford’s loan club from last season Borussia Monchengladbach all watched the defender play for West Ham’s Under 23s against Chelsea recently.
City links will baffle supporters
Oxford scored in the game and The Mirror claims Pep Guardiola is particularly keen to boost the club’s quota of homegrown players.
Quite how Oxford could go from failing to get in an injury-hit West Ham squad under three different managers to being signed by the reigning Premier League champions is a real head-scratcher.
Oxford’s first team prospects will surely diminish further should a move to the Etihad materialise.
And that would be sad for a player who was once dubbed the new Rio Ferdinand.
But perhaps Guardiola could be the manager to fully unlock Oxford’s potential?
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