Slotting into the West Ham first team is one thing, but performing at a consistently high standard is another. Reece Burke is a man, albeit not for long as he has only recently turned 18 years of age, who has stepped up to the plate brilliantly for the Hammers. Having made his senior debut in that embarrassing FA Cup drubbing against Nottingham Forest, that could have easily spelt the end of Burke’s tenure at Upton Park. Many youngsters from the academy who played in that game, including Danny Whitehead and Daniel Potts, have since departed the club. Burke however has continued to play for the U21 side, and it is now paying dividends thanks to his patience and perseverance.
Following the mass defensive injury crisis towards the latter end of the 2014/15 campaign, Burke found himself drafted into the starting eleven in a Premier League match against Queens Park Rangers. He made a terrific goal line clearance, and helped the team achieve a clean sheet.
After his full debut, former Academy Director Tony Carr said that ‘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 (with the attention). He will apply himself to be successful. Reece has always been naturally aggressive in his play, and he’ll have to develop his upper body into a man’s body’. Sam Allardyce then rewarded the Newham boy with a further two league starts, and Burke ended up conceding just one goal in three matches.
The defender also started the recent Europa League qualifier against Andorran outfit FC Lusitans, and played with the confidence of a veteran. Forming a partnership on the night with Irons captain James Tomkins, Burke was formidable at centre-half. At nearly two metres tall, every duel in the air was headed clear with such physical and aerial prowess. He looked calm, composed and collected both on and off the ball. There was no need to rush any of his play, and patient build-up was a key factor in the run-up to the opening goal of the evening. He is the calibre of sportsman who has the ability to lead out this West Ham himself one day in the future, as portrayed by his vocal use on the pitch in which he helped guide some of the younger players, like Reece Oxford who also impressed. This is a vital asset to have in terms of leadership.
The European encounter also showed a new side to Reece, in which he also possessed offensive qualities in addition to his fabulous defensive shifts. During the second half, the experienced Joey O’Brien was substituted which saw Burke move to the right-back position and fulfil a more attacking role. He steamed down the right-hand side of the field and enjoyed an eye-catching exchanging of passes with teammate Morgan Amalfitano. With the full-back position up for grabs following the end to the loan spell of Carl Jenkinson, Burke may yet get an opportunity in this spot. However, at the heart of the backline is most probably a position that he would want to take up most.
Tony Carr oversaw the development of players including Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand, and with regards to Burke, he added that ‘the key is that he has to get stronger now, remember he is still developing’.
That indeed is the key.
The youngster is only going to get better, and as he gets an increasing amount of game time, we may just be witnessing the emergence of a superstar. Appearances for the England U18s and England U19s also dictate that the number 32 could well be an international regular too. The 2014/15 Young Hammer of the Year award is just the start of what will be a rather large winning cabinet, and hopefully new manager Slaven Bilic will give him the chance to shine brightly.
