Slaven Bilic has urged Reece Oxford and other West Ham prospects to challenge for regular game time next season.
The Hammers are expected to strengthen their squad this summer, having marked their debut season at the London Stadium with a disappointing 11th place finish.
But a host of youngsters are on the fringes of first-team action after spending the campaign away from their parent club on loan.
Oxford is widely regarded as the jewel in the east Londoners' crown, despite an indifferent spell at Reading, but Bilic has suggested the 18-year-old is not alone in closing in on a breakthrough.
“Josh Cullen had a fantastic season at Bradford,” Bilic told West Ham's official website.
“Reece Burke went to Wigan but unfortunately he got injured.
"Reece Oxford, who is a fantastic talent, it was our aim for him to go on loan in the Championship and he went to Reading but unfortunately he didn’t play enough.
“On top of that we have two fantastic talents who are younger than them in Domingos Quina and Declan Rice, who are doing really good.”
Competition for places is set to be fierce after Bilic revealed he is in the transfer market for players capable of starting for the Hammers rather than bolstering his bench.
But the Croatian is convinced the young Hammers have an excellent opportunity to prove that they are capable of playing at the highest level.
“For me, they all have a future, although we have three centre-backs," Bilic said of Oxford, Burke and Rice.
"It’s going to be hard for them all to knock on the door and play for West Ham very, very soon.
“It’s up to them. They’ve been training with us and now it’s about time for them to play.”
