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Three West Ham youngsters ready to make the step up next season
West Ham fans will have gone into the current season with a lot of hope after making some useful looking signings in the 2017 summer transfer window.
The additions of Javier Hernandez, Marko Arnautovic, Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta saw some big names added to the squad, and there was even discussion of a possible top-four challenge.
Unfortunately for Hammers fans, the season has not gone quite as planned, as poor form saw manager Slaven Bilic replaced fairly early on by ex-Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes.
Moyes did a decent job to steady the ship initially. However, the club is by no means free of turmoil, despite currently sitting 14th and looking likely to avoid the drop.
Next season, some big personnel changes will definitely need to be made if the club are to kick on and enjoy a decent season of football that lasts the length from August to May.
With a number of promising youngster coming through the ranks, we have selected three individuals who will be looking to impact the first in the season ahead.
Josh Cullen
Josh Cullen spent the first half of the current season on loan at Bolton Wanderers, picking up some valuable first team experience in the Championship, making 12 appearances.
January saw the young Irishman move back to his parent club, and the midfielder has made a number of further appearances for the Hammers.
At 22, Cullen is reaching a critical age in terms of the make of break period at his current club.
Having drawn attention to himself from the West Ham coaching staff, the youngster will probably have the chance to kick on after the summer with further first team chances in East London.
With the midfield having been a real problem for Moyes since arriving at the club, the Scot may well be looking to use Cullen in a role of increased importance.
Having come through the ranks at the club, Cullen could be the perfect partner for Mark Noble in midfield, learning day to day how to conduct himself as an exemplary professional, standing him in the best stead for the rest of his career.
Reece Oxford
West Ham fans will have been dying to see more of Reece Oxford since the teenager made his debut for the club back in 2015.
The imposing central defender/midfielder is extremely versatile and has been playing in Germany for Borussia Monchengladbach on loan this term.
Oxford has made 17 appearances for the Hammers to date. However, is yet to enjoy a proper run in the team to allow to gather momentum and play himself into form.
At 19, he is still a very young prospect, but is definitely reaching the age where regular first team football is crucial.
The youngster may have only played a handful of times for the German outfit this season, but will have picked up some valuable experience playing in a different European environment, helping him to mature as a defensive player.
West Ham will no doubt be making some big changes to both their midfield and central defensive areas this summer, and Oxford should definitely be benefiting from this.
Domingos Quina
Portuguese starlet Domingos Quina is perhaps still slightly immature to be touted as a first team star next season.
However, having played for the club six times already, aged only 18, the youngster is clearly a highly rated talent in East London.
Quina joined the Hammers academy from Chelsea in 2016, going on to make his debut during the 2016/2017 season.
This term, the 18-year-old has gone on to feature a further four times, once in the FA cup and three times in the League Cup, whilst continuing to make an impact on the international stage with Portugal under-19s.
With Manuel Lanzini to learn from, Quina is definitely in a strong position with West Ham, and will simply be hoping for more of the same in the coming seasons.
Perhaps unlikely to become a regular starter just yet, the youngster definitely presents an exciting prospect off the bench for next season.