West Ham teenager Reece Oxford has responded to comparisons with Rio Ferdinand.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic and Reece Oxford as he is substituted
West Ham United teenager Reece Oxford has told The Independent that he hopes to be as successful as Rio Ferdinand.
Oxford, 17, has come up through the ranks with the Hammers having initially been on the books with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, and is now considered to be one of the top young talents in English football.
Rio Ferdinand
A centre back or defensive midfielder, Oxford hit the headlines on the opening weekend of last season as he turned in a superb performance in a 2-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Oxford now has 14 first-team appearances to his name as well as 28 games for England at youth level, and should be a fixture of the West Ham team for years to come – if he signs a new deal, that is.
BT Sport’s Rio Ferdinand
The teenager’s contract at the London Stadium expires at the end of next season, and whilst West Ham are looking to tie him down to a new deal, the Daily Mail believe that Manchester United are keen on signing him.
Any move from East London to Old Trafford would mean that Oxford would again follow in the footsteps of Rio Ferdinand. As an athletic centre back coming up through the ranks with West Ham whilst being touted for England stardom, it’s no great shock that Oxford has received comparisons to Ferdinand, but it runs even further – Ferdinand started his career as a striker before converting to play in defence, much like Oxford has.
West Ham’s Reece Oxford in action with Werder Bremen’s Fin Bartels
Oxford has been asked about the comparisons, and told The Independent that he understands the comparisons, and wants to emulate Ferdinand’s success at West Ham.
“Yeah, he’s done exactly the same as me so that’s why a lot of people compare me to him. “He came into West Ham as a striker and then he got moved to centre-back. I think the West Ham fans, and everyone, just wants me to have a good career as he did. So hopefully I can do that or maybe even better.”
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