What a day it’s been for Reece Oxford.
The 16 year old made his debut for West Ham in their shock 2-0 win over Arsenal, becoming the youngest ever player for the London club.
Oxford played like a seasoned veteran, anchoring the Hammers’ midfield and comfortably dealing with World Cup winner Mesut Ozil.
Reece Oxford's Premier League debut by numbers:
95% pass accuracy
3 tackles won
3 interceptionsRemember the name. pic.twitter.com/rW1lEUEuv5
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 9, 2015
Following the game, new West Ham manager Slaven Bilic, who played his last game for the club on December 28th 1998, when Oxford was just 12 days old, was, understandably in a buoyant mood.
Bilic reserved some special praise for the debutant, saying that not only could he not believe the player was just 16, but Oxford would be ready to line up against the best player in the world, and possibly the best player ever, Lionel Messi.
That’s a 16 year old, with one Premier League appearance, going up against this fella.
🔥I'm Back🔥
😂Messi finished Boateng's football carreer😂
Can we get 20 likes? (Vine by Soccer Hero™) https://t.co/rXMvmShq3l
— Mathis.de haro (@nba_haro) August 9, 2015
“I am very proud of him” Bilic said.
“Only on paper he is 16, he is a part of this new generation. Put it this way, if Messi was in front of me I would be more fazed than Reece.”
No pressure, kid.
Image via BBC Sport.
