Super cool: 16-year-old Reece Oxford thrives on big stage for West Ham
Gangly teenager produces exceptional display to help nullify Arsenal’s star-studded engine room
West Ham United’s Reece Oxford reckoned he had enjoyed “a dream debut” after becoming, at 16, one of the youngest players ever to make a winning bow in the Premier League.
The teenage midfielder, rated one of the best prospects in England, had a splendid game in midfield as West Ham earned a surprise opening weekend victory at Arsenal.
He was fabulous and for a 16-year-old his performance bordered on the ridiculous
The gangly Oxford, who has already captained the England Under-17s, was entrusted with a starting place as a defensive midfielder by the Hammers’ new manager Slaven Bilic.
And the Croatian was rewarded for his faith with an exceptional display by the youngster who helped nullify Arsenal’s star-studded engine room.
“Put it this way,” said Bilic, a hard-bitten former international. “If Messi was in front of me, I would be more fazed than Reece!”
Oxford was so impressive that his experienced teammate, New Zealand international Winston Reid, could only smile as he told Sky Sports: “He’s been brilliant. He’s only 16 but, I mean, look at him, he’s bigger than me and probably better than me!”
One distinguished Sky pundit, former Scottish international Graeme Souness, enthused: “He was fabulous and for a 16-year-old his performance bordered on the ridiculous.”