OPINION
West Ham co-owner David Gold recently revealed that West Ham defender Reece Oxford will find it difficult to break into the first-team picture at the London Stadium because of the players in front of him at the club.
The 18-year-old is highly-rated at the Hammers and a player that is capable of producing the goods in the Premier League despite his young age.
In January, he made a loan switch to Championship side Reading and ended up being part of a team that suffered penalty shootout heartache in the play-off final.
Centre-back Oxford, who can play at the back and in the middle of the park, made his debut at the age of 16 and, as a result, became the second youngest player in Premier League history.
When Oxford was given the chance to impress, he showed a high calibre of skills, including his calmness and ability to sense out danger quickly.
Aston Villa and Steve Bruce will be looking to earn promotion from the second tier of English football next season and Oxford is a player that would be of great help.
The Hammers ace would add depth and quality to the backline, not forgetting his versatility which could also see him play in midfield.
There even could be the possibility that the teenager could play alongside the experienced Mile Jedinak as the duo could bode a solid partnership for the team.
Bruce should make a move for the highly-rated youngster in the summer, preferably a loan switch, which would help both his parent club and Villa.