Reece Oxford is coming back to West Ham

Reece Oxford’s loan struggles continue as he returns to West Ham United after his season-long loan to Borussia Monchengladbach has been cut short. The youngster failed to make a single first-team appearance for the Bundesliga club, despite appearing on the bench in all six league games this season.

Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images

It’s been ten days since we told everyone to calm down about the lack of first-team action, our very own Jonathan Lines, had this to say:

Surely we didn't expect he'd be straight up first choice. Gladbach have got [Matthias] Ginter and [Jannik] Vestergaard [at center-back].

Think the move will be really excellent for his development and he probably has a better chance of some action; but at the end of the day, we've loaned him to a team who are better than us, so. . .

Gladbach is a good side with a clever coach. Oxford will have time and space to grow without pressure. Look up Gladbach kids making it big. There have been a few, plus a few who still play there, having grown up at the club. They have some class players like Christoph Kramer and [Reece] will develop and grow a lot in the environment. He's first reserve which is better than West Ham. Who knows what may happen if he gets a chance.

As West Ham fans, we were optimistic about the learning opportunity for Oxford in playing for a solid Bundesliga club. Perhaps we’re remembering the time a 16-year-old Oxford pocketed Mesut Özil a bit too fondly.

As Chad Hoy said, “however, one good game two seasons ago does not a Premier League player make.”

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The return of Oxford could be good news for West Ham, as he can play in either a defensive midfield position or as a centre back. The Hammers have hemorrhaged goals this season it might be worth giving the 18-year-old a proper run in the first team to see what has been learned over the past few years. He has been nominated for the Golden Award for Europe’s best young player, so the potential is there.

Let’s hope things take a brighter turn for young Reece Oxford. I’d love to see him make a name for himself at London Stadium.