Two years ago, a lanky 16-year-old defensive midfielder that barely anyone had heard of completely shut down Mesut Ozil on the opening day of the Premier League season, as West Ham left the Emirates stadium with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
The midfield prodigy went by the name of Reece Oxford and suddenly, every major club in the Premier League wanted him.
Oxford would continue to be linked with moves away from the Hammers, although nothing ever materialised.
Oxford announced himself to the Premier League with an imperious display against Mesut Ozil and Arsenal on the opening day of the 2015/16 season. Image: PA
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Since that dominating display in North London two years ago, Oxford has turned out precisely 13 more times for West Ham, as well as taking in a five match loan spell with Reading in the Championship.
Oxford's lack of first team action isn't necessarily a bad thing, given his tender years, but it is also surprising that he hasn't either been entrusted with more game time by Slaven Bilic or been sold for an inflated transfer fee to one of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Tottenham, as is the norm with promising young English talents.
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Instead, the initial interest in the now 18-year-old has significantly cooled and today he is set to complete a loan move that very few people saw coming.
Instead of another season spent in West Ham's reserve and youth teams or toughening himself up in the lower leagues, Oxford will be playing his football with Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.
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Given that so few English players actually chance their arm abroad, Oxford should be commended for taking this opportunity so early into his career. A season in Germany could be terrific for the England U20 international's development.
(H/T Give Me Sport)
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, West Ham United, Borussia Monchengladbach
