WHUFC.com
Peter Kurucz has finalised his transfer to West Ham United after
international clearance was confirmed
09.02.2009
West Ham United can confirm the signing of Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper Peter
Kurucz on loan from Ujpest until the end of the season with a view to a
possible permanent transfer. Kurucz, who will be 21 in May, signed for the
club before the transfer window closed but international clearance only came
through on Monday. He joins a strong contingent of goalkeepers at the club
including Robert Green, Jan Lastuvka and Marek Stech as well as reserve-team
keeper Adam Street, a Canadian youth international. The 6'4 shot-stopper,
who had spent part of last season on loan at Hungarian second division club
Tatabanya, was at the Boleyn Ground for Sunday's match against Manchester
United before starting training this week at Chadwell Heath. He becomes the
second Hungarian at the club with Under-19 international striker Balint
Bajner already a fixture in the club's Academy this season.
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Zola return not ruled out
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th February 2009
By: Staff Writer
A lawyer claiming to speak on behalf of Gianfranco Zola has refused to rule
the United boss out of the running for the vacant Chelsea post. According to
Skysports, a statement from Zola's lawyer Fulvio Marrucco hinted that the
former Chelsea player might be interested in a return to Stamford Bridge -
despite making comments to the contrary just 48 hours earlier. "At the
moment we know nothing about the link between Gianfranco Zola and the vacant
position at Chelsea, said the statement. "Gianfranco is very happy at West
Ham and still thanks them for giving him the opportunity to be a coach in
the Premier League.
"It is very difficult to say if anything will happen - but Chelsea is a
special place for Gianfranco Zola."
The early favourites to replace Phil Scolari, who was sacked this lunchtime
include Gus Hiddinck and former manager Avram Grant. Former Inter boss
Roberti Mancini has already ruled himself out of the running.
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Zola for Chelsea?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th February 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola has emerged as one of the early favourites to replace the
outgoing Chelsea manager Phil Scolari, who was sacked earlier today.
Ladbrokes have listed former Chelsea player Zola as fourth favourite to
succeed the Brazilian, who received his marching orders this lunchtime
despite his team sitting in the top four of the Premier League and still
having an interest on the FA Cup and Champions League. Zola however is not
thought to be interested in the post, having confirmed just last week that
he intends to see through his 'West Ham project'. Steve Clarke, whom the
Hammers poached from Stamford Bridge earlier in the season and himself
listed at 14/1 is thought to share Zola's view. "In football you never know
what lies round the corner but I have no intention of walking out on West
Ham, he said. "I owe a lot to them. Not many clubs would have given me this
opportunity. "My main concern is to do well here and repay the faith West
Ham and their supporters have shown in me. It's not in my nature to walk out
on something that has only just begun."
Like lambs to the slaughter: latest odds for new Chelsea manager
Guus Hiddink 3/1
Frank Rijkaard 7/2
Roberto Mancini 7/2
Gianfranco Zola 6/1
Jose Mourinho 6/1
Sven Goran Eriksson 7/1
Avram Grant 10/1
Carlo Ancelotti 10/1
Martin O'Neill 14/1
Steve Clarke 14/1
Didier Deschamps 16/1
Jurgen Klinsmann 16/1
Mark Hughes 16/1
Roberto Di Matteo 20/1
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Zola reassures Hammers board
Italian tactician remains firmly committed to Upton Park
Last updated: 10th February 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola has reassured West Ham's board he has no intention of
quitting the club, amid speculation he is a contender for the managerial
vacancy at Chelsea. Blues legend Zola has been linked with a return to
Stamford Bridge following the surprise dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari on
Monday. However, Sky Sports News' chief news reporter Bryan Swanson has
learnt that Zola has personally reassured West Ham chief executive Scott
Duxbury that he remains firmly committed to the Upton Park outfit. Zola has
said openly before that he owes the club a great deal of debt, although he
will not comment publicly on the Chelsea link. The feeling is that he is 100
per cent committed to West Ham and feels no need to comment on every story.
Senior West Ham sources have told Sky Sports News that there is no need for
supporters to be concerned, as Zola will definitely not be lured from East
London. Since taking charge at Chelsea's capital neighbours earlier in the
season the Italian tactician has earned praise for guiding the Hammers to
eighth in the table.
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Zola camp coy over Blues link
Italian not ruled out of the running
Last updated: 9th February 2009
SSN
Gianfranco Zola's lawyer has refused to rule him out of becoming the new
manager of Chelsea. The Blues legend has already emerged as one of the
favourites to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari who was sacked by the London
giants on Monday. Zola has impressed hugely at West Ham, after only taking
charge at Upton Park in September. But Chelsea fans are keen to see Zola -
who is assisted by Jose Mourinho's former number two Steve Clarke - back at
Stamford Bridge. Zola's lawyer Fulvio Marrucco has been quick to confirm
that although no approach has been made, Chelsea could be hard to turn down.
"At the moment we know nothing about the link between Gianfranco Zola and
the vacant position at Chelsea," Marrucco said in a statement. "Gianfranco
is very happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him the
opportunity to be a coach in the Premier League. "It is very difficult to
say if anything will happen but Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco
Zola."
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Minto in Zola warning
Ex-Blue believes Chelsea job has come too soon for Italian
Last updated: 9th February 2009
SSN
Former Chelsea defender Scott Minto believes Gianfranco Zola is not ready to
become the club's next manager. Following Luiz Felipe Scolari's sacking,
Blues fans have already pushed Zola and former boss Jose Mourinho to the top
of their 'most wanted' list. But Minto insists the time is not right for
Zola who has only been in the West Ham hot seat for six months and reckons
Russia boss Gus Hiddink is favourite. "I don't think Gianfranco is quite
ready for it. He has got a job so maybe at sometime in the future," Minto
said. "I personally really like Gus Hiddink. You just wonder whether Roman
Abramovich would want to take him from the Russia job."
Steve Clarke, who left Chelsea to be Zola's assistant at Upton Park, would
relish the chance to become number one at Stamford Bridge but Minto feels
that would be a tough baptism for the Scot. "That would be a big move," said
Minto. "I think Clarkey is a fantastic number two and I think you can see
what him and Franco are doing at West Ham. "Clarkey is playing a massive
part in that but to ask him to be number one at Chelsea in his first job as
a number one, I can't see it happening. "He wants to be a number one and
what better job would there be for him than to be a Chelsea manager. I just
think that it is a little bit too early in the same way it is for Zola. "The
club want to get someone in asap and there has been talk of Avram Grant. "It
will be interesting to see if Chelsea want to get someone from now until the
end of the season and then review it or throw the cash, even if someone is
in a job, to get the right person. For me, if that was the case, it would be
Hiddink."
Former boss Jose Mourinho is also included in the feverish speculation about
Scolari's successor and the 'Special One' has made no secret of his desire
to return to the Premier League. Now at Inter Milan, Mourinho has been
linked with Manchester City but an emotional return to Chelsea would be hard
to resist . However, Minto added: "I am sure the fans would love it. But you
wonder if the relationship is broken between him and the owner. "He's a
fantastic manager but they also say 'don't go back'. He is doing very well
at Inter and has a big game in the Champions League against Manchester
United. "But you hear that he doesn't like the off the field stuff in Italy
and his relationship with the media is not the same as the one he had in
England. There is no doubt that he wants to be a Premier League manager
again but will it be Chelsea? I think that is down to the owner," Minto told
Chelsea TV.
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Green predicts bright future
Hammers keeper confident about future despite United defeat
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 9th February 2009
SSN
West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green insists that his side should fear no-one
after their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. The former Norwich
man felt that his side more than held their own against the champions for
long periods of the match. In the end a Ryan Giggs strike after 62 minutes
was enough to seal all three points for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, but the
29-year-old points out that Hammers fans are now travelling to Upton Park
expecting a result against the likes of Manchester United, rather than
hoping for one. Green believes this highlights how far the team have come
under manager Gianfranco Zola, as the defeat on Sunday ended an unbeaten run
of eight games in all competitions. "We are on a run of form and it would
have been good to continue that but it's a step in the right direction," he
explained. "A few months ago, people would have been dreading this game
outside of the dressing room and now people are walking away rather
disappointed. "Expectations have risen and no more than among ourselves. "I
didn't have a great deal to do and United didn't really get into fifth gear
at any point. "They stepped it up a bit until they scored in the second half
and then went down a bit afterwards. "They've had a lot of 1-0 wins
recently. We didn't really trouble them too much which is disappointing and
it's a disappointing goal to concede. "We've played United and Arsenal and
held our own and done okay but we've never really troubled either team too
much."
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Chelsea warned off Zola & Clarke
By Simon Austin
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have warned Chelsea that Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke are not
available to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge. Hammers boss
Zola was voted Chelsea's best-ever player in a 2003 fans' poll, while Clarke
served as a player and respected coach for 20 years. But a West Ham board
member told BBC Sport: "We've not received any contact from Chelsea and will
not welcome any."
And the agent of Guus Hiddink has ruled the Russia coach out of the running.
Hiddink had been quickly installed as the bookies' favourite to take over at
Stamford Bridge. But agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told BBC Radio 5 Live:
"Guus wants to qualify for World Cup for a fourth time in a row and with a
fourth different team. "There's no chance of him going to Chelsea, as he
very much likes what he is doing. "Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would not
make too many friends in Russia if he steals away Guus from the national
team." Hiddink, who is in Turkey for a training camp with the Russia squad,
told reporters: "I have no news for you. "I'm not concerned with what has
been said about me elsewhere, I'm working here now."
Meanwhile, the West Ham board member added: "We are delighted with the job
Zola and Clarke are doing and they are not leaving. "Gianfranco and Steve
are under contract here for three years and we want them to stay." BBC
sports editor Mihir Bose believes Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wants a
short-term appointment made as quickly as possible. "I'm told they are going
to go for a manager with international experience, who is currently
available. He will be a temporary manager until the end of the season. "The
hope is that Chelsea might still be able to pick up a trophy or two this
season."
Former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard and Avram Grant, who was in charge at
Stamford Bridge before being sacked at the end of last season, are also in
the running. Both Rijkaard and Grant are out of work and have experience of
managing at international level. Zola's lawyer, Fulvio Marrucco, released a
statement insisting no approach had been made from Chelsea. "At the moment
we know nothing about the link between Gianfranco Zola and the vacant
position at Chelsea," Marrucco said in a statement. "Gianfranco is very
happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him the opportunity to be
a coach in the Premier League.
"It is very difficult to say if anything will happen, but Chelsea is a
special place for Gianfranco Zola."
The Italian took over at West Ham in September and installed Clarke, whom he
had worked under as a player at Stamford Bridge, as his assistant. After a
shaky start, the duo have begun to make their mark at Upton Park, with West
Ham playing attractive football and sitting in eighth place in the Premier
League. Several Hammers players have spoken glowingly about the impact made
by the duo, while Chelsea fans held a banner calling for Zola's return
during Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Hull. West Ham midfielder Jack Collison
said: "Gianfranco going is the last thing anyone at West Ham wants. "He has
given us a confidence, he comes into training with a smile on his face and
he wants us to enjoy playing football. "Gianfranco has come in and put a
real buzz into the place and no-one wants him to go, he is a really good
young manager and things are going really well at West Ham at the moment."
And former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini will not replace Scolari
either, according to his agent. Mancini, who has been out of work since
being sacked by Inter last summer, has been linked with a move to the London
club in recent months. However, his agent Giorgio de Giorgis has had no
contact with Chelsea.
De Giorgis said to the Italian media: "No-one has contacted us, hence, I
exclude the possibility that Mancini will go to Chelsea. "We are aware of
Scolari's sacking but they would have contacted us in the case they had
though about Mancini. Instead, they have contacted others."
A banner at Stamford Bridge on Saturday during the goalless draw with Hull
called for the return of Zola and his former Chelsea and Italy team-mate
Roberto Di Matteo. Former Chelsea midfielder is currently manager of MK
Dons, who second in the League One table. But Dons chairman Peter Winkleman
told BBC Radio 5 Live that his manager has plenty to achieve at Milton
Keynes before he moves to the Premier League. "When your doing well in the
lower leagues in a way it is great news that your manager gets touted for
things and people start to think of you because it means that things must be
going well in the home camp and there is no doubt that Roberto has done
extremely well," said Winkleman. "It is flattering that Robbie can be
involved in these kind of rumours but he knows he's got a big, big job to do
at Milton Keynes and I think he's relishing it."
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Young Collison hails Zola tuition
WALES v POLAND
Date: Wednesday, 11 February Kick-off: 1715 GMT Venue: De Santo Sports
Complex, Vila Real
Coverage: Live on S4C, full commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru
and online
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BBC.co.uk
Jack Collison says one-on-one tuition from football genius Gianfranco Zola
has transformed him into a Premier League and international player. The
young Wales midfielder was almost sent on loan to Peterborough earlier this
season but is now a regular for Zola's revived West Ham United. "He has been
doing one-on-one tuition with me and I'm learning from him all of the time,"
Collison told BBC Sport. "There's no better player for me to learn from, he
was one of the best." Chelsea legend Zola, hailed as the most influential
foreigner to grace the Premier League, has been linked to the vacant
managerial post at Stamford Bridge after the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The Italian has transformed West Ham since taking over from Alan Curbishley
in September and turned the Hammers, in his first job as a club manager,
from a struggling side to one pushing for Europe. Zola's sensational
performances as a player affords him cult hero status among Chelsea fans.
Some Stamford Bridge faithful unfurled a banner during Chelsea's 0-0 draw
with Hull on Saturday called for the installation as manager of the man
voted by Chelsea supporters as their best-ever player. But Collison, who was
given his Premier League break by Zola, says the West Ham manager is also
loved by those at Upton Park. There's no better player for me to learn from
than Gianfranco Zola, he was one of the best. Collison said: "Gianfranco
going is the last thing anyone at West Ham wants. "He has given us a
confidence, he comes into training with a smile on his face and he wants us
to enjoy playing football.
"Gianfranco has come in and put a real buzz into the place and no-one wants
him to go, he is a really good young manager and things are going really
well at West Ham at the moment. "People maybe a little surprised by his
impact at West Ham but he played at the very highest level and played under
some top managers."
West Ham, currently eighth in the Premier League, have lost just once in
nine games, and Collison's displays have been excellent. He is the latest
talented player to graduate from West Ham's self-styled 'Academy of
Football', following current England stars Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard,
Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe. Collison, 20, who has performed
with a maturity in West Ham's midfield, has scored twice in 15 games for the
Hammers this season. And the Wales rookie, who is set to win his fourth
international cap against Poland in Portugal, says his improvement is thanks
to private training sessions with footballing master Zola. "He is a really
one-to-one, hands-on guy," said Collison. "He identifies areas of players he
wants to improve, with me he wanted to improve my technical areas and for
me, what better player to learn from - he was one of the best. "I have
learned a lot from him, he is a top man and a top manager and has got all
the boys playing well, and the future is bright at West Ham with him in
change. "I'm a little bit surprised to be a regular, as at a club like West
Ham it is hard to break through. "But I've managed to keep my place and want
to push on."
Collison now hopes to cement his place in John Toshack's Wales midfield in
their friendly with Poland in Portugal with fellow youngsters Aaron Ramsey,
Joe Ledley and David Edwards. "We've got a very young midfield and a very
young team," acknowledged Collison. "Us young players have no fear and now
we hope to repay his faith." Toshack's 23-man squad features 11 players
under the age of 21, including Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter, Sam Vokes, Ched
Evans and Rhys Williams.
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Wales squad for Poland game on 11 February:
Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), Boaz Myhill (Hull City), Owain Fon Williams
(Stockport), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Neal Eardley (Oldham
Athletic), Chris Gunter (Tottenham Hotspur), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby County),
Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough), Sam Ricketts (Hull City), Ashley Williams
(Swansea City), Jack Collison (West Ham United), Andrew Crofts (Peterborough
United), David Edwards (Wolves), Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Owain Tudur
Jones (Swansea City), Joe Ledley (Cardiff City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal),
David Vaughan (Blackpool), Craig Bellamy (Manchester City), David Cotterill
(Sheffield United), Ched Evans (Manchester City), Sam Vokes (Wolves)
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Zola: Quietly Committed
Just Like My Dreams
Gianfranco Zola has moved to reassure West Ham United's board that he has no
intention of quitting the club, amid fevered speculation he is a contender
for the managerial vacancy at Chelsea. It was inevitable that Blues legend
Zola would be linked with a return to Stamford Bridge following the surprise
dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari yesterday. However, Sky Sports News
'understands' that Zola has privately given his word to West Ham chief
executive Scott Duxbury that he remains firmly committed to the Upton Park
outfit, although he will not comment officially on the Chelsea link.
As recently as this weekend Zola made a public declaration that he owes
United a great deal of debt for giving him his chance in management. "In
football you never know what lies round the corner but I have no intention
of walking out on West Ham," he was quoted as saying. "I owe a lot to them.
Not many clubs would haven given me this opportunity. My main aim is to do
well here and repay the faith West Ham and their supporters have shown in
me. It's not in my nature to walk out on something that has only just
begun."
As of last night, unnamed senior West Ham sources had informed Sky Sports
that there is no need for supporters to be concerned, as Zola will
definitely not be lured from East London. The feeling, they say, is that he
is 100 per cent committed to West Ham and feels no need to comment on every
story.
Which is not a sentiment necessarily shared by the Sardininan's legal
representative. Within an hour of the formal announcement of Scolari's
departure, Fulvio Marrucco had spoken out to confirm that no contact has yet
been made between his client and Chelsea, but he was equivocal in the
extreme about any possible switch by Zola. "At the moment we know nothing
about the link between Gianfranco Zola and the vacant position at Chelsea,"
Marrucco was reported as saying. "Gianfranco is very happy at West Ham and
still thanks them for giving him the opportunity to be a coach in the
Premier League. It is very difficult to say if anything will happen but
Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco Zola."
As might be expected, this morning's papers are rife with speculation as to
the identity of the next Chelsea manager, though few are considering Zola a
viable prospect. The Times claim Chelsea are primarily searching for a
short-term managerial appointment to salvage their season by qualifying for
the Champions League. Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini are the leading
contenders as Chelsea focus on finding a coach who is available to start at
Stamford Bridge immediately, but several other permutations have been
discussed as they seek to fill what has become one of the most difficult
jobs in football.
Chelsea's intention is to appoint an experienced manager with a proven track
record on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, with the carrot of
a lucrative permanent contract and huge funds to reshape an underachieving
squad in the summer if they are successful. Whether a Champions League
winner such as Rijkaard would accept such unusual terms remains to be seen.
Plan B is to muddle through with a less illustrious temporary coach — Avram
Grant, Scolari's predecessor, is available and has retained his home in
London, while a seemingly outlandish pairing of John Terry, the captain, and
Ray Wilkins, the assistant first-team coach, has been mentioned but
discounted — in the hope that Carlo Ancelotti will be available at the end
of the season.
The Mail think Guus Hiddink has emerged as the favourite to take charge at
Chelsea, although hiring him when he remains Russia's national coach was
being described as 'complicated' by Chelsea insiders last night. The
Dutchman is the manager club owner Roman Abramovich wants after losing
patience with Scolari, and ignoring the advice of chief executive Peter
Kenyon and chairman Bruce Buck by sacking him after only seven months in
charge. Chelsea need to make a quick appointment and accept it would be
difficult to secure the services of another club manager.
Instead, claims the article, Abramovich wants to reach an agreement with the
Russian FA that allows Hiddink to continue leading their World Cup campaign
while taking the reins at Stamford Bridge in time for their Champions League
game against Claudio Ranieri's Juventus on February 25. It has proved
impossible for Abramovich to poach Hiddink from Russia in the past but
Hiddink is in a pay dispute that could be to Chelsea's advantage. If Hiddink
can't be hired, Chelsea will examine a shortlist that includes Roberto
Mancini, Frank Rijkaard and Bernd Schuster, while Sven Goran Eriksson is in
a precarious position with Mexico and Avram Grant has not yet found
employment after leaving Chelsea last May.
It is Grant who may be regarded as a safe pair of hands to steer the club
through to the end of the season if other, stronger candidates are not
hired. The Independent has the Israeli on a short-list of six potential
candidates, which does not include Gianfranco Zola. As much as Chelsea
supporters would like the club to make a move for the United manager, says
Jason Burt, there seems very little chance the Italian will walk away from
West Ham United. Instead Roberto Mancini and Frank Rijkaard are mentioned
again, while agents are also discussing the possibility of an approach for
three other managers, perhaps in the summer more than now, who have been
linked with Chelsea in the past. They are Milan's Carlo Ancelotti, the
Russia coach Guus Hiddink and, surprisingly, Manchester City's Mark Hughes.
As the trio are all in work they are unlikely to be approached immediately,
with Chelsea hoping to have a new manager in place in time for Saturday's FA
Cup tie away to Watford.
Burt agrees with the prevailing thought that Chelsea want an experienced,
currently unemployed coach to take control for the rest of the season. The
new man will be asked to make sure Chelsea remain in contention for trophies
– although he does not have to win one. If he is successful, then a
permanent contract will be offered in the summer. However, the interim
measure also raises the prospect that Chelsea already have another possible
manager in mind, but that the individual will not be available until the end
of this campaign. It does, indeed, point towards Grant taking over for now
unless someone of the calibre of Mancini or Rijkaard can be persuaded to
take over in such circumstances.
The consensus is supported by the Guardian, who insist the search for a
fifth Chelsea manager in as many years has begun with the club wanting a
quick appointment, most likely someone currently unemployed and considered a
"firefighter", to be taken on initially on a short-term basis. If the
appointment proves successful the candidate would have a chance to earn a
longer deal. Frank Rijkaard, the former Barcelona coach, is again fingered,
together with the ex-Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini as Chelsea embark
on a familiar recruitment process.
While there is a sense of surprise at the timing of the dismissal given that
Chelsea are still competing in the Champions League and FA Cup, concern had
been growing behind the scenes as the side slipped seven points behind
Manchester United in the title race. Unrest had swept through the stands at
Stamford Bridge as the team toiled against Hull on Saturday, with Scolari
enduring chants of "You don't know what you're doing". One banner was
unfurled championing former Chelsea players Gianfranco Zola and Roberto di
Matteo, although, states the article, neither is in serious contention to
return to the club at this stage of their fledgling managerial careers.
Current betting on the next Chelsea manager before the market was suspended
over night:
Frank Rijkaard (Fav)
Guus Hiddink
Sven Goran Eriksson
Gianfranco Zola
Roberto Mancini
Carlo Ancelotti
Alan Curbishley
Gianluca Vialli
Avram Grant
Louis van Gaal
Steve Clarke
Jose Mourinho
Slaven Bilic
Didier Deschamps
David Moyes
Marttin O'Neill
Mark Hughes
Marco Van Basten
Posted by Trilby at 00:13
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Carlton Cole becomes a contender as he starts punching his weight at last
Last updated at 2:27 AM on 10th February 2009
Daily Mail
Claudio Ranieri called him 'My Tyson' and little wonder. His young striker
Carlton Cole had just laid out a senior professional on the training ground
and there were no regrets. Jesper Gronkjaer had been getting on Cole's
nerves during a practice session, nipping the young cub's ankles so often
that he snapped and punched the Chelsea winger in the face. 'It might have
looked vicious and some of the lads said it looked like I was going to "do"
him but, hand on heart, it wasn't like that,' Cole, just 20, said at the
time. 'Everyone was gearing up for the West Bromwich game and things got
pretty heated among the players.' Five years on, Cole was yesterday training
with England for the first time and preparing for tomorrow's friendly
against Spain in Seville. The West Ham striker has come a long way since his
days at Chelsea, when he was headstrong and behind Gianfranco Zola, Eidur
Gudjohnsen and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for a place in the team. As a
first-year professional, he struggled to get out of bed in Brentford to make
the five-mile drive to Chelsea's old training ground in Harlington. He was
frequently late, fined for snoozing by a manager who still regarded him as
the best young striker he had worked with. 'I've never coached a young
player as good as Carlton,' claimed Ranieri at the time. 'He's fantastic and
he has a very big future at Chelsea.'
That was in 2002. Not long after, Cole would play on a Wednesday for Chelsea
reserves at Aldershot and then turn out for his uncle Duncan's Sunday League
side in Greenford. He was jeopardising his career, but Cole is anything but
a conformist. 'The penny has finally dropped but it has taken a long time,'
said Alan Curbishley, who managed the striker at both Charlton (where he was
on loan) and West Ham. He has everything you want in a modern striker. He
is strong, he has pace and he is difficult to mark but the one area of his
game he needs to improve is his goalscoring.'
Cole was the recipient of the Golden Boot when he was in Chelsea's youth
team, an in-house award given to the club's leading scorer, and his career
was expected to blossom. After he made his debut as a substitute against
Everton in April 2002, Ranieri put him in the same bracket as reserves
team-mate and future England captain John Terry. Real potential: Cole
scored six times in 19 appearances for England's Under 21s and is hoping for
his first senior cap on Wednesday
But Cole took it too easy, buying a Mercedes 4x4 with his first pay packet
and backchatting opposition defenders with some west London bravado during
his frequent run-outs with the reserves. By then he had a taste of
first-team action and believed he was good enough for a place in a side
challenging for Champions League qualification without putting in the hard
graft with the second string. Eventually, he was loaned to Charlton, then
Wolves and Aston Villa, before eventually signing for West Ham. Trouble with
a long-standing knee complaint allowed the then Upton Park manager Alan
Pardew to negotiate an attractive performance-related arrangement with
Chelsea, highlighting why clubs prefer the details of such deals to stay
'undisclosed'.
Off the field, Cole sometimes struggles with the complexities of day-to-day
life, shrugging off a visit from the bailiffs to West Ham's training ground
in 2007 when they were chasing him over unpaid congestion charges. He
claimed his friends were driving his car through central London, failing to
pay the £8 toll, but he eventually forked out for the heavy fine. Cole's
performances on the field have improved this season. He scored a notable
goal at Newcastle when he controlled the ball with the outside of his boot
before lashing it beyond Shay Given. His lifestyle remains an area of
concern. He was arrested for drink-driving late last year, but believes he
is on the straight and narrow under the pastoral care of Zola. individual.
He doesn't have to be nasty to be a very good player,' insisted Zola last
week.
Cole's form has elevated him into the England squad, a reward for the hard
work that he has put in this season. Now 25, Cole is a 6ft 4in mountain of
muscle, something Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will
readily testify to after he roughed up the best central defensive pairing in
the Barclays Premier League at Upton Park on Sunday. 'He has grown in
stature, but that's because he is working for a manager who understands
him,' said Ferdinand. 'He is appreciated and working in an environment that
suits him. He is a young player, he wants to learn and he is better for it.'
Not only that, he is finally letting his feet do the talking.
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Zola in Chelsea link
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 09 February 2009 - 6:37 PM
Gianfranco Zola's lawyer says his client would find it very difficult to
turn down a return to Chelsea.The West Ham manager, who has enjoyed great
success at Upton Park since his arrival last September, has been tipped to
make the move across London along with his assistant and former Chelsea
team-mate Steve Clarke.Zola, who enjoyed a successful seven-year playing
spell with Chelsea, is still adored by Blues fans with supporters keen for
the Italian to replace the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari. And Fulvio Marrucco
has refused to rule out Zola leaving east London to take up the reins at
Stamford Bridge. "At the moment we know nothing about the link between
Gianfranco Zola and the vacant position at Chelsea," he said in a statement.
"Gianfranco is very happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him
the opportunity to be a coach in the Premier League. "It is very difficult
to say if anything will happen but Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco
Zola."
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Zola and Clarke set for Chelsea "Dream Team" return?
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on: 09 February 2009 - 16:49
Sport.co.uk understands that West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola and his assistant
Steve Clarke are Chelsea's favoured management team and could be named in
their new roles in the next 24 hours, according to sources close to Zola.
Steve Clarke only left Chelsea earlier this season to join the Zola
revolution at Upton Park, however the duo are seen by the Chelsea board as
the dream team to get Chelsea challenging for honours. Zola has revitalised
the Hammers during the Christmas period, while managing to keep hold of star
players Scott Parker, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole. Former England boss
Sven Goran Eriksson and former manager Jose Mourinho have been mentioned
alongside Zola as the early front runners, however according to Sport.co.uk
sources, Zola is the number 1 target for Roman Ambramovich, with the hope
that a deal for him and Steve Clarke can be secured quickly, within the next
24 hours.
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Zola proud of performance - and rightly so
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th February 2009
By: Thomas Rooney
It is fair to say that the Boleyn Ground crowd were satisfied with the
performance their team put in against Manchester United yesterday. A huge
round of applause was in produced from the fans and it said a lot about how
they thought the team had done.
The reality is that they lost 1-0 to the best team in Europe and this was
only due to a piece of brilliance from Ryan Giggs in the second half. On
another day, West Ham United could have got themselves at least a point.
After the goal, there was a significant amount of pressure on the Manchester
United defence - who have now gone 13 league games without conceding - but
they managed to stand firm. There is no doubt that West Ham showed they had
come on loads since the game at Old Trafford in October.
Speaking after the match, Gianfranco Zola echoed these views as he hailed
the defeat as a 'positive match'. The West Ham boss then went on to say that
he viewed the game as 'very tight' throughout and one which could have gone
either way. Overall, Zola was 'happy for his team' despite the result and
believes that they shouldn't view this as the end of a decent run.
The former Chelsea man isn't one to single players out that often, but he
did have some words of praise for Carlton Cole. The striker was unable to
celebrate his England call-up with a goal, but he did work very hard
throughout and made Ferdinand and Vidic work very hard indeed.
When asked about the 25-year-old, Zola said that he is 'improving all the
time' and that his performance against Manchester United would have left
Fabio Capello with a 'very good impression' of him. This is then something
that could lead to Cole becoming 'a very good player' for the national team.
Unfortunately though, as much as the performance can be praised, this is a
results business. Manchester United have discovered the ability to win 1-0
on a number of occasions this season and they will view the win at the
Boleyn as a fantastic afternoon's work for them. West Ham is an increasingly
difficult place to come and it is credit to them that the Champions had to
work so hard for the win.
Looking at the overall picture for West Ham, things are still looking good
in my opinion. The players, coaching staff and fans are all united and
everyone is fully behind Zola and Steve Clarke as they look to take the club
forward.
Prior to the game yesterday, West Ham had gone ten games without a defeat.
However, like I have mentioned, the players shouldn't see this as the end of
the run. They must continue to play with confidence to make sure that the
momentum picked up in the last few weeks isn't lost.
The football odds aren't completely ruling out a European place as yet, so
now is not the time to hit a bad patch. The next few fixtures include games
against Bolton, Wigan, West Brom and Blackburn, so there is a chance to set
off on another unbeaten run.
Next up though is the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough and this is equally
as important. In fact, according to Betfair's football betting section West
Ham are 6th favourites to win the competition. There could be a genuine
chance of silverware.
A cup run combined with a top ten finish would be excellent progress.
Especially when you consider where the team were a few weeks ago. Zola is
enjoying himself now and the team are shining under his leadership. Long may
it continue.
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Are Dubai International The New Owners?
West Ham Till I Die
This morning on TalkSport Max Clifford blurted out that West Ham will have
been sold by the end of this week. I hesitate to even mention Clifford as I
regard him as the equivalent of a boil on a verruca. However, I have been
told that the new owners are none other than the Dubai International Group,
who had previously been linked with Liverpool. Rumour is that they pumped
money into the club before the close of the transfer window which enabled us
to spend part of the Bellamy money on Savio.
I have no idea how true this is. It didn't come from within the club, and
may be wishful thinking. In the past I have heard rumours, haven't posted
them and then bitterly regretted it when they turned out to be true.
Let's hope this one has some semblance of truth to it. They are serious
people. They also own Madam Tussauds and Travelodge, as well as 3% of Sony!
If it is true, you'd have to ask why on earth Zola would want to leave us,
beyond the emotional pull of Chelsea.
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