18 year old Reece Burke made his Premier League home debut against Burnley yesterday making it an impressive two clean sheets out of two after he also featured alongside James Collins in defence, when the Hammers drew 0-0 at QPR last weekend.
Former West Ham Academy Director Tony Carr said before the Burnley game “Reece would have come through his first game having survived on adrenaline. Understandably he would have been very pumped up. But the challenge is to do it week-in, week out, to perform on a consistent basis. He’s a level-headed kid and I feel he won’t get carried away. He will apply himself to be successful. Reece has always been naturally aggressive in his play but the key is that he has to get stronger now. The challenge is to do it week-in, week out, to perform on a consistent basis. He’ll have to develop his upper body into a man’s body. Remember he is still developing.”
The Hornchurch-raised lad joined the Hammers as a nine-year-old and looks likely to be the latest graduate to follow in the foot steps of James Tomkins and Mark Noble to become a regular first teamer in the coming years and make a living in the Premier League.
Last year Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal were all claimed to have attempted to lure Burke away from the Hammers but West Ham managed to get Burke to sign his first professional contract contract worth £4,000 per week for three years.
He has earned his place and until he fails should keep playing in fact the back 4 should not be touched unless there are injuries,
He could now put pressure on the other 3 central defenders to play for there place and was with Oxford and Henry that is great for the club so we don’t need to see other central defenders mentioned with the club,
Well done Burke