A once highly-rated West Ham prospect, once considered superior to Declan Rice, has not played a single minute this season.
Since joining Arsenal for £105 million in 2023, Rice has become one of the world’s top midfielders. However, early in his career, he played as a centre-back in West Ham’s academy and was behind Reece Oxford in the pecking order. At the time, Rice even feared being released again after previously being let go by Chelsea.
Former West Ham trainee Lewis Page recalled Rice’s uncertainty, telling The Athletic: “I remember talking to him after dinner—Dec wasn’t sure if he’d get a scholarship. He was worried about being released again. The club didn’t know his best position, and with Reece being the main centre-back talent, they weren’t sure if Dec was good enough for midfield. But West Ham took a chance, and it paid off.”
Oxford was once seen as West Ham’s brightest young star, drawing comparisons to Rio Ferdinand. He made his Premier League debut at just 16, helping West Ham secure a 2-0 win over Arsenal. Capable of playing in both defence and midfield, he had a loan spell at Reading before moving permanently to Germany, signing with Augsburg in 2019 after a stint at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Despite still being under contract with Augsburg, Oxford has not played at all this season due to persistent muscle injuries linked to long COVID. In fact, his last appearance came in November 2022. Currently valued at just €500,000 by Transfermarkt, his future remains uncertain.
The most recent update on his condition came in July 2023 via Fox News, which reported that he was dealing with thigh, knee, and COVID-related issues and was seeking specialist treatment in London. With no clear timeline for his return, Oxford’s contract with Augsburg is set to expire at the end of the season.