Norwich City’s defence will be a key area of concern for Alex Neil, and they should consider a move for West Ham United youngster Reece Oxford in January.
Hammers youngster Reece Oxford has made just two appearances for the senior side this season, both of those coming in West Ham’s doomed Europa League campaign, and if he’s not part of Slaven Bilic’s plans, it will be vital for him to secure a loan move away from the club in January to help aid his development.
The 17-year-old burst on to the Premier League scene last season with a scintillating display during the Hammers’ 2-0 opening day win over Arsenal, but has gone on to make just six league appearances for his club since that day, despite their obvious frailties at the back, especially throughout the course of this season.
West Ham’s Reece Oxford on the substitutes bench
A potentially perfect solution for all parties concerned would be a loan move for Oxford in January, and the ideal destination could be Norwich City.
The Canaries currently sit in fifth position in the Championship table, but their woeful defensive record of 27 goals conceded in 16 outings (third worst in the division) does not correlate to success in England’s second tier, and is an area that Alex Neil must address sooner rather than later.
The addition of West Ham’s England under-20 international would be a smart acquisition, and his imposing physical presence, combined with his technical ability when in possession of the football would provide the East Anglian outfit with something they currently lack in their defensive department.
Norwich City manager Alex Neil
With James Collins, Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna and now even auxiliary defender Cheikhou Kouyaté all ahead of Oxford in the centre-back pecking order at the Olympic Stadium, the youngster could suffer from a lack of regular football, and a move to Norwich would enable him to showcase his talents and prove to Slaven Bilic what he is truly capable of.
With not long until the madness of the January transfer window is in full swing, the Canaries should seriously consider a move for Oxford, and if they did manage to bring him to Carrow Road, they would surely be in a far stronger position to mount a sustained challenge for promotion.
West Ham’s Reece Oxford
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