There are plenty of reasons for optimism at West Ham currently, with the team’s fans confident that it can be a successful season for the London club.

Ahead of a move to the Olympic Stadium next term, progressive coach and former Hammers player Slaven Bilic has been installed as the side’s new manager and backed to take the club to the next level.

A host of ambitious captures in the transfer market have also caught the eye, with international stars such as Angelo Ogbonna and Dimitri Payet lifting the collective quality of the playing squad.

However, one of the early season positives for the Boleyn Ground outfit has been the emergence of teenage wonderkid Reece Oxford.

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In the team that took to the Emirates Stadium pitch and beat London rivals Arsenal 2-0 on enemy soil on the opening game of the new season, it was arguably the 16-year-old that shone brightest in a team full of experienced and distinguished stars.

For someone so young to make his Premier League debut against a team of the calibre of Arsenal is a daunting proposition, but Oxford did not look out of place and played a decisive role in the Hammers’ famous victory.

The teenager was pitted against Gunners playmaker and World Cup winner Mesut Ozil, with the German having a quiet afternoon largely due to the continued presence of Oxford in his space.

The youngster’s energy, work-rate and ability to pressurise the ball could well be a key element of West Ham’s play this season, with Oxford seemingly set to play a considerable amount of football in defensive midfield.

Despite only getting his GCSE results recently and clearly having a lot of growing to do to reach his potential, Oxford has all the attributes to be a top player for both club and country when he matures.

Bilic stated that he had no reservations over dropping the young starlet into the deep end and clearly trusts the teenager to follow his instructions.

For the Hammers ahead of their momentous stadium move, holding onto Oxford and harnessing his ability is clearly important.

Despite the expenditure on foreign stars, having a homegrown player that can be a critical member of the team would be a real source of pride in West Ham’s new home.

Oxford follows in a long line of England internationals to gradate from the Hammers’ youth academy, with the London club hoping that their latest prodigy can follow in the footsteps of famous alumni.

The likes of Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe and Joe Cole have all made their names at Upton Park - but Oxford needs to buck a trend.

Unlike in the case of all the afore-named stars, West Ham need to hold onto the teenager for as long as possible instead of giving in to the advances of England’s biggest clubs.

The future is certainly bright for West Ham, with young star Oxford having the potential to be the jewel in the Hammers’ crown.

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