West Ham fans in the Transfer Tavern have been left unimpressed by their maiden campaign at the London Stadium and they’re desperate to see huge improvements next year.
The Hammers face a major rebuilding task as they look to assemble a side capable for fighting for a Europa League spot and they may find it difficult to compete with their rivals on the financial front, with Everton braced for a heavy-spending summer.
It’s not all doom and gloom though as the youth ranks in East London continue to boast some highly talented players and our landlord is expecting to see a number of those make an impression in pre-season, as they push for regular football next year.
Fans in the bar are aware that bleeding capable youngsters into the team will save them money on the transfer front and they’ve blurted out two names they’d love to see make a positive impression in the summer, before fighting for chances next season.
Reece Oxford
Ever since his starring performance against Arsenal on the opening day of last season, West Ham fans have waited patiently for Reece Oxford to be handed further opportunities in the first-team and next year could be the breakthrough campaign for the highly-rated 18-year-old defender.
Oxford has spent part of this season on-loan at promotion hopefuls Reading this season and that exposure to first-team football could be vital to Oxford’s development, with the teenager now looking to put that practice to good use in the Hammers’ pre-season campaign.
Domingos Quina
Having made impressions at the youth ranks of Benfica and Chelsea, Domingos Quina now seems to have found stability in East London after signing his first professional deal with the Hammers in November last year- and he’s impressed for the youth side.
Impressive performances in the Premier League’s youth competition has left fans wondering when the attacking midfielder will get his opening in the first-team and pre-season could hand him that opportunity, with West Ham seeking a top-class ace to replace Dimitri Payet following the Frenchman’s unceremonious exit in January.
