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David Gold: Breaking through from the West Ham academy is virtually impossible

By Darren Chapman

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Reece Oxford of West Ham United in action during the West Ham United training session at London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on August 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images). (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Reece Oxford of West Ham United in action during the West Ham United training session at London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on August 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images). (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images) /
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With the transfer window officially now open in England, any West Ham fan will know that we are in for a long few months of rumours and gossip regarding new players.

So with many good young talents currently in the West Ham squad, it would be nice to see some given a chance at the top, but it seems co-owner David Gold has other ideas.

The 80-year old says he would love a youth player to make it into the first team squad, but admitted times are changing in football.

"” Its different now days and we have to face facts, 16,17 and 18-year old men aren’t going to get into first team Premier League sides,” Gold told talkSPORT Radio Station on Thursday.“The spending on the academy so far has been over five million pounds, and we haven’t had a player really break through the ranks,” he admitted.” We would of course love a youth player to make it into the first team squad.”” [Reece] Oxford played a couple of times, but since then it’s been a struggle.”"

So-called ‘home grown’ players are hard to come by nowadays, but one who is still standing is the current captain Mark Noble, having been at the club since the age of 11.

Is the famous West Ham Academy of Football failing?

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The signs were there for all to see last year as James Tomkins left the Hammers after more than 20 years at the club, signing for London rivals Crystal Palace. He joined the club aged seven but departed after failing to hold down a regular first team spot.

The likes of Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard all came out of the West Ham United Academy of Football, a set up that produced these young men, who between them won many trophies in their successful careers.

A youth team by the name of Senrab which featured John Terry, Sol Campbell and Ledley King amongst a number of young English talent, was always known as the development side before making the leap up to West Ham academy – So why is Slaven Bilic’s new crop failing to make the step up into the first team squad?

Too many players going out on loan?

With Reece Burke being loaned out again next season, rumours are that up to eight youth team players could be following the exit door for experience. Despite the Under-23 side clinching promotion last season it looks like many of that team will be shipped out or be staying put in the reserves again.

Seems a shame to not give the likes of Declan Rice, Burke and Martin Samuelson a chance in the first team squad, especially because many of them have already been out on loan and done their time, fans are crying out for a mixture of youth and experience.

Reece Oxford is a player who came through the ranks and was once dubbed the `new Ferdinand’, and after his full first team debut against Arsenal back in August 2015 at the age of 16, it seemed the Hammers had a new star. He controlled the game and won many plaudits following on from the 2-0 victory, however since then Oxford failed to make the cut and last season was loaned to Reading in the Championship.

Under Jaap Stam’s guidance many felt this was ideal, but his attitude was questioned and he only made five appearances since joining in January. He has now been loaned out to German side Borussia Monchengladbach in a make or break move, still only 18-years old he has a lot to learn and Bilic will be hoping he comes back focused and ready for first team action in 2018-19.

One to be given a chance?

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The one talent who does look set to be given a shot at first team football next season is Joshua Cullen, the 21-year old has been on loan at Bradford City for the past two seasons and has become a fans’ favourite. He has played over 58 times for the Bantams scoring once and has been likened to Mark Noble for his style of play.

His only appearance for the Hammers so far came in the 3–0 home victory over Lusitanos of Andorra in the UEFA Europa League, back in 2015. With no interest currently being shown in a midfielder and with Havard Nordtveit departing the club last week it looks like Cullen will be given a pre-season trial at first, and then hopefully he can pull on the claret and blue shirt next season in the Premier League.

The good old days

The days of Ron Greenwood look well and truly gone, he was the man who first inherited a young crop of players such as Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst.

With so many clubs going abroad to buy players, young English players seem to get a high price tag which forces managers to look elsewhere.

Next: 7 Worst and Weirdest Transfer Mishaps from West Ham

Despite England winning the under 20s World Cup in 2017, it’s a worrying time for the youth of English football not just West Ham United but for the modern game in general.

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