Reece Oxford’s £20,000-a-week wage was a like a “millstone” around West Ham’s neck, according to Football.London journalist Sam Inkersole.
The 6’3″ ace [Whoscored] joined Bundesliga side FC Augsburg over the summer after spending last season on loan in Germany as well, and Inkersole has suggested that his exit came as something of a relief.
Writing in a piece for Football.London, he said: “Reece Oxford’s £20,000 a week contract was like a millstone around West Ham’s neck but that is now off the books as he finally joined Augsburg.”
OPINION
This seems like a harsh judgement from Inkersole. Oxford might never have reached his full potential in east London, but to suggest that he was a millstone seems excessive. When you factor in that £20,000-a-week his peanuts to a club like West Ham, Oxford hardly seems like the albatross that Inkersole is portraying him to be. Sure, it’s better to have him off the wage bill than taking up funds every week, but was he that much of an issue, really? Life in Germany has had a slow start for Oxford this term, with just the 29 minutes split across two substitute appearances. So far he has made only one tackle, and has a pass completion rate of 66.7%, as per Whoscored, meaning he is misplacing one of every three passes. When you see those stats you can’t help feeling that the Hammers are better of without him, but Inkersole’s comment seems harsh nonetheless.
