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| Reece Oxford receives instructions on the touchline from Slaven BIlic |
WEST HAM manager Slaven Bilic has praised 16-year-old Reece Oxford for his debut performance in their 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate both scored for the Hammers in what was a nightmare debut for goalkeeper Petr Cech.
However, Slaven Bilic's first game in the Premier League couldn't have gone any better but the Croat admits it was a risk starting the youngster.
“People were asking 'are you sure he is 16?'" said Bilic. "It was going to be a risk but he has got something.
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| Oxford only found out from Slaven Bilic that he was playing, last night |
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| Reece Oxford made his Premier League debut aged 16 years and 237 days |
"I thought if we need someone to sit in front of the defence who is cool and can be a third defender, but who can also play on the ball, I am very proud of him.
"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."
At 16 years and 237 days old the midfielder became the youngest ever player for West Ham in the Premier League.
"It was a dream debut," said Oxford. "I had Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna behind me encouraging me.
"It is an honour to be the youngest ever West Ham player. I found out last night I was playing, I was obviously happy."
Defender Reid also tipped the midfielder to be a future star following their remarkable opening day victory over the Gunners.
"We knew we had it in us and we worked really hard. We can get a lot better but to come here and win, we are really happy.
"He is only 16 but he is bigger and better than me. He has the future ahead of him.
"Slaven has come and changed us, he has got us thinking positively so full credit to him."
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