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Ex-West Ham wonderkid Reece Oxford claims club painted false image of him

By Alex Smith

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Reece Oxford of West Ham United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and West Ham United at the Riverside Stadium on January 21, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Reece Oxford of West Ham United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and West Ham United at the Riverside Stadium on January 21, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Former West Ham wonderkid Reece Oxford has claimed the club painted a false image of him after leaving.

Oxford is now 23-years-old and is playing well for German side Augsburg.

After he left West Ham, there were rumours circulating that he had a poor attitude and that’s why he never reached the high hopes put on him.

Reece Oxford believes West Ham created a fake perception of him not having the needed commitment after he left the Hammers.

West Ham former prodigy Reece Oxford in action on his debut vs Arsenal.
Reece Oxford of West Ham in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2015. /

The youngster, who could play in defensive midfield as well as a centre-back, burst onto the scene in West Ham’s 0-2 win away at Arsenal in the first game of the 2015/16 season during the Slaven Bilic era.

He was just 16 years and 198 days old when he ‘pocketed’ one of the best players in the Premier League at the time, Mesut Ozil, in the game.

"Speaking to The Telegraph, Oxford said,“I never had the attitude they said I did. You can ask everyone around West Ham. That was the picture they painted and it wasn’t a good one.“Everyone thought I was superman and nobody knows what went on behind closed doors.“I was never on my age group’s schedule with the gym work and everything. All the things you need to make sure your muscles are ready for the professional game.”"

After his famous debut he never kicked on from then and subsequent loan spells to Reading and Borussia Monchengladbach didn’t work until settling at Augsburg.

He has been one of the standout defenders in the Bundesliga this season despite playing for a struggling side and he hopes to one day get in the England squad.

His potential presence hasn’t really been missed at London Stadium all because of Declan Rice, who has more than met the hype Oxford once had.

Rice has led West Ham to a Europa League quarter-final and a second successive push for European qualification in the league.

Oxford is still young and could reach the heights many thought he would but it would have taken him much more time. His career is certainly worth following as he attempts to comeback after a false start.

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