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Reece Oxford’s loan exit could backfire on West Ham due to injury problems
West Ham confirmed () on Deadline Day that defender Reece Oxford has joined German club FC Augsburg on loan for the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old secured a late exit on the final day of the January transfer window and will play his football away from the London Stadium in the second half of the campaign.
He’s previously succeeded in the Bundesliga during a loan with Borussia Monchengladbach last season, something he will hope to repeat now with Augsburg.
But the decision to temporarily offload Oxford one that could seriously backfire on manager Manuel Pellegrini.
West Ham currently have a real shortage of centre-backs and offloading one seems an odd decision, especially when they could still push for a European spot this season in the Premier League.
Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna are the only two senior options fit right now, but the latter’s form right now is a major concern.
Meanwhile, defenders Winston Reid and Fabian Balbuena are sidelined through injury to leave the Hammers in a precarious position.
They are just one injury away from serious trouble and the heart of defence does look vulnerable right now.
Oxford’s loan does make sense considering he’s had no senior action this season so far and appears to be far down the pecking order under Pellegrini.
But West Ham may need to promote a centre-back from the youth team at this rate and Oxford does have first-team experience under his belt, which is why keeping him around may have also been wise.