Alvin Martin fears West Ham United risk losing their reputation for developing world class talent.
Hammers legend Martin, who played nearly 600 games for them between 1978-1996, says the club must try to preserve their image as one which develops young footballers.
He told the Mail on Sunday: "When I started, the first-team manager Ron Greenwood took a close interest in how the youth players were doing. We'd change in the same pavilion as the senior players, ate in the same canteen and most importantly, three of us would be selected every day to train with the first team.
"If you're a parent, you'd be happy to send your son to Arsenal or Everton because you know they might have the chance one day of working with Arsene Wenger or Roberto Martinez.
"West Ham [can attract] youngsters because of the club's reputation since Bobby Moore's time. It's an asset they don't want to lose."
