David Gold has admitted the days of West Ham being 'The Academy of Football' may be over.
He claims the increased pressures in the Premier League mean managers are unwilling to throw in untested kids and would prefer experienced players - mostly of whom are not from these shores.
Pablo Zabaleta has been brought to the London Stadium on a free transfer from Manchester City this summer, meaning young Englishman Sam Byram is likely to struggle to get back into the Hammers' first-team, while highly-rated defender Reece Oxford has just departed on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany's Bundesliga as he searches for consistent game time.