Despite the ridiculous amount of money involved in football, excitement still intensifies when a young player from the academy emerges into the first team and becomes a great success.

With the record £5.14bn Premier League television making a big effect in England’s top flight, many clubs including West Ham have splashed the cash during the summer.

Undoubtedly, the Hammers are reaping the rewards as Slaven Bilic’s men currently occupy a sensational fourth spot in the table as new recruits Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Angelo Ogbonna and Pedro Obiang have settled comfortably into life in the Premier League.

However, the we are known as ‘The Academy of Football’ and having the likes of Mark Noble wearing the captain’s armband with pride and James Tomkins performing solidly every week, seeing more academy players enhance their career with West Ham is something every fan wants to see.

Wonderkid Reece Oxford has the most potential of becoming a Hammers great on the basis of the 16 year old receiving nothing but praise from Bilic, hence why he is involved in the first team squad.

So here are some other academy players that are capable of being West Ham’s next big thing and join Oxford in the first team…

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Kyle Knoyle

The attack minded right back is a England U18 international who made 20 U18 league appearances in Claret and Blue and eight development squad appearances, all of them starts.

Knoyle’s recent citing in front of the Upton Park crowd was in the curtain raiser friendly against Werder Bremen, where his pace and use of the ball impressed Bilic and is definitely one to look out for in the future.

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Emmanual Onariase

Cast your mind back to Arsenal away last season in a 3-0 defeat for Sam Allardyce and an unrecognisable name of Emmanuel Onariase appeared on the substitute bench.

The powerful centre half has the build and stature to handle the Premier League’s most potent strikers and has since become a regular in the development squad.

Last year saw the towering defensive unit score an impressive five goals for the U18s last season, before being promoted to Terry Westley’s development squad where he is making an even bigger impact.
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Josh Cullen

You may have seen glimpses of Cullen in the Europa League qualifying rounds against FC Lusitans and FC Birkirkara.

The centre midfielder, who can also play in the number 10 role, has great technical ability and aggression.

Cullen’s stunning last minute winner against Chelsea’s development squad at Stamford Bridge optimises what Cullen oozes in midfield as the occasional development squad captain has frequently been on the bench for the first team.

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Lewis Page

Like Cullen, Page featured in the early Europa League qualification rounds and played like he was an experienced left back for West Ham.

His maturity, calmness and eagerness to get involved in crunching tackles is something to look forward to for all West Ham fans in the future.

Despite currently being ruled out of action through injury, Page singed a new contract in Febuary based on his impressive performances for the U21 side and was nominated for the Dylan Tombides Academy Player of the Year award in the 2013/2014 season.

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Oscar Borg

Last season two names from the famed West Ham academy where starting to surface as the Premier League’s big teams such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal were reportedly showing interest in both Reece Oxford and Oscar Borg.

Dubbed ‘the next Gareth Bale’, Borg is lightning quick and is extremely handy in dead ball situations. Last season saw the 17-year-old score four times, including two free kicks against Tottenham Hotspur’s U18s, as well as producing five assists.

The next Dimitri Payet?

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