Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Many West Ham may have forgotten about Reece Oxford after years on the fringes but he could prove to be a vital asset for Manuel Pellegrini this season.
The 19-year-old made his Premier League debut as a fresh-faced 16-year-old on the opening day of the 16-17 season away from home against Arsenal, starring in a surprise victory against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.
It seemed that the Hammers academy graduate had the world at his feet but Slaven Bilic wrapped the versatile talent in cotton wool, perhaps too much, as he has made just three further Premier League appearances since.
A spell on loan with Reading was followed by spending the majority of last season with Borussia Monchengladbach, where he impressed enough for the Bundesliga side to express an interest in a permanent deal – despite just a handful of opportunities.
It seemed likely that Oxford would leave on a permanent basis this summer as the signings of Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop pushed him further down the pecking order for a central defensive role, where he is already ranked behind Declan Rice and Angelo Ogbonna.
A position in central defence is a huge waste for Oxford though, as his ball playing abilities are far superior to that sort of role and he showed in that famous performance against Arsenal that he can beal a real star in a holding midfield role.
Despite all of Pellegrini’s spending this summer, that position is an area where West Ham lack depth as neither Jack Wilshere or Mark Noble are truly suited to the position, leaving just new signing Carlos Sanchez.
In a long, gruelling campaign it is dangerous to have such limited depth in the position and Pellegrini should, therefore, look to Oxford to provide depth – especially as now report that he is ready to commit his long-term future to the club.
“The manager has expressed his desire to keep me at the club and I want to repay the faith he has shown in me. I’m ready if they need me. I believe they do need me. So I’ll be ready.”
The 19-year-old is spot on with his comments, as it has been clear from the opening two games that something is missing from Pellegrini’s side. While the attack shows signs of promise, the defence still continues to look gaping.
West Ham now have the unwanted record of having conceded 74 goals in 40 Premier League games since the start of last season, a much larger tally than any other top-flight side, and Oxford can help to plug those gaps.
While he is not the sole solution to West Ham’s problems, he can provide a massive boost – especially in a market where clubs like Fulham are for Jean-Michel Seri.