David Gold issues bleak outlook for West Ham's youth players
Sunday 21 May 2017 10:25, UK
West Ham co-chairman David Gold has issued a damning outlook for the club's youth players, confirming their prospects of playing in the first-team look bleak.
The Hammers are looking to improve considerably in the summer transfer market after a poor season under Slaven Bilic, and Gold expects their side to be one full of "seasoned internationals".
Promising youth players such as Reece Oxford and Josh Cullen have been shipped out on loan this season and Gold was forced to respond to fan complaints after celebrating Cullen's part in the League One play-off final with Bradford.
He said on Twitter: "I think we all have to (accept) that it is extremely unlikely that a teenager will break into a (Premier League) team full of seasoned international(s).
"Playing teenagers doesn't guarantee success. Hull came fifth (in number of youngsters played) and got relegated. Chelsea came last and won the league.
"Sam (Allardyce) played the teenagers at Nottingham Forest (in 2014) and we got beat 5-0.
"Teenagers gain experience by going out on loan to the first (or) second division and the Championship."
Manager Bilic gave several youngsters a chance in the Hammers' ill-fated Europa League qualifying campaign, such as midfielders Marcus Browne and Quina, as well as Oxford and Burke.
Bilic also admitted ahead of the team's final game of the season against Burnley that Declan Rice could feature in place of the injured Winston Reid at centre-back.
