WHUFC.com
Benni McCarthy has spoken about the impact the World Cup will have on South
Africa in future
10.07.2010
Sunday night will see the world tune in for the FIFA World Cup final between
the Netherlands and Spain and Benni McCarthy said the tournament has been
great for his country. South Africa have staged a hugely successful finals
and McCarthy, although disappointed that injury and subsequent fitness
issues cost him a place in his country's squad, said the 2010 event will
leave a lasting legacy. "For the country it has been really nice," he said.
"For the infrastructure, the country is in a better state. "A lot of people
had a completely different perception of South Africa and now they have some
really nice things to say about it and everyone wants to go there - it is
now a holiday destination."
However, McCarthy - who is determined to form a potent partnership with
Carlton Cole this season - is not so keen on the vuvezalas that have been
heard the length and breadth of South Africa wherever a match has been
played over the past month. "It is the worst thing. It is a topical South
African thing, but the reason I hate them is that when I am playing I can't
hear myself and I can't get my message across. It is the most annoying thing
and you could go deaf, so I hope they don't bring them into English
football. "That is South African football, this is the Premier League which
is the singing and the cheering your team on, that is what it is all about."
Meanwhile, manager Avram Grant has expressed his sympathy with England after
the match officials failed to spot Frank Lampard had scored a perfectly
legitimate goal in the 4-1 defeat by Germany. He believed video technology
was something that has to happen. "I would like to see it," he said.
"Everybody says this is a traditional game that hasn't changed, but a lot of
things have changed [over the years]. "The rules have changed - you cannot
pass the ball to the goalkeeper [and him handle it] - there are a lot of
things you cannot do that you could do before. I think we need to do it
because you have seen what has happened in this World Cup and it could
happen in the Premier League."
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Hammers chase Piquionne
Striker determined to re-unite with former boss at Upton Park
By Razwan Mirza Last updated: 10th July 2010
SSN
West Ham have reportedly joined the chase for want-away striker Frederic
Piquionne. The 31-year-old has returned to his parent club Lyon following a
successful loan spell at Portsmouth last season. Piquionne, who was managed
by Avram Grant at Fratton Park, seems determined to re-unite with his former
boss at Upton Park ahead of the new season. The former Rennes and Monaco
forward is reportedly upset at having to return to the Stade Gerland, where
he is now expected to force his way into the first team, and now the France
international has issued a come and get me plea to Premier League clubs. He
told L'Equipe: "I want to play so I need to leave. It will be England or
nothing else." Meanwhile, former Rangers and Newcastle defender Jean-Alain
Boumsong looks set to depart Lyon. The 30-year-old could be used as the
makeweight in the Ligue 1 side's attempts to sign striker Yoann Gourcuff
from rivals Bordeaux, while reports in France suggest that the defender
could be set for a move to Bundesliga outfit Hamburg. Boumsong admitted to
L'Equipe: "I would have preferred to stay, but obviously I am not top
priority in defence."
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Hammers want Pompey ace as Parker replacement
Published 23:00 10/07/10 By Paul Smith
The Mirror
West Ham will weigh up an approach for Portsmouth's Marc Wilson if they
reluctantly decide to sell Scott Parker. The Hammers are bracing themselves
for bids for Parker from Manchester City and Aston Villa. Co-owner David
Sullivan put the entire squad up for sale at the end of the season with the
exception of Parker, who he claimed was priceless. But the club have failed
to attract much interest from clubs looking to buy players who have become
surplus to requirements at Upton Park.
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I'M FOREVER BLOWING ROUBLES
Billionaire to pump £30m into West Ham
News Of The World
By Neil Ashton
RUSSIAN billionaire Len Blavatnik is poised to make a £30million offer to
buy into West Ham. Blavatnik - the 93rd richest man in the world according
to the Forbes Rich List - is eyeing a 35 per cent stake in the club. His
fortune, built up in America with his multi-national firm Access Industries,
is estimated to be worth around £5billion. Blavatnik has yet to make contact
with Hammers joint-owners David Sullivan and David Gold about his intentions
but is considering his next move. More than 35 per cent of the club is held
by Straumur but they have a creditors' meeting on Tuesday. The future of the
Icelandic investment bank is expected to be resolved within the next few
months and Blavatnik will continue to monitor developments. Sullivan and
Gold would prefer another West Ham fan to join the board and have yet to
discuss Blavatnik's potential investment. They have a four-year option to
buy Straumur's remaining stake in West Ham and Blavatnik could only buy them
with their agreement. Blavatnik, 53, lives in Kensington and is being
encouraged to make a bid for a one-third share of the Hammers by close pals
in the game. It is the first time he has considered buying a club but he has
links with English football. Blavatnik's company put together a rescue
package for Setanta when it was on the verge of collapse. But the Premier
League pulled the plug on the operation when Setanta defaulted on payments.
Now Blavatnik has an interest in West Ham but may want a much bigger stake
in the club. Sullivan and Gold rescued the Hammers from the brink of
administration when they bought the club in January. The pair are actively
looking for investment in West Ham. They have yet to begin talks with
interested parties but Blavatnik is waiting to make his move as Straumur's
future is resolved. Sullivan and Gold have made huge strides since buying
the debt-ridden club.
They axed boss Gianfranco Zola after narrowly escaping relegation, replacing
him with Avram Grant. The ex-Portsmouth chief began his new role last week
and will be given significant funds to spend this summer. And Grant has
backed his England flops to come out fighting for West Ham.
And Grant even believes that England have BETTER players than Germany, who
outclassed the Three Lions 4-1 in the second round. He said: "I have faith
in English players. I've been coming here at least five times a year since I
was 20 so know the English mentality. "You need to believe in these players.
They are good. "In England they only analyse. They've short memories. Three
months ago all these players were the world's best. Now they're bad. "There
are enough good players in England that there is not a reason to think
Germany are better."
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HAMMERS JOIN CAMPBELL SCRAMBLE
Grant enters the bidding for Sol
News Of The World
By Martin Hardy, 10/07/2010
WEST HAM have entered the race to sign former England defender Sol Campbell.
New Upton Park boss Avram Grant sees the powerful 35-year-old as the
defensive lynchpin to build his side around. Campbell has so far spoken to
Celtic and Sunderland about lucrative deals after leaving Arsenal for the
second time at the end of last season. Neil Lennon wants to take Campbell to
Parkhead and has already spoken to him whilst Steve Bruce has put together a
two-year deal to entice the centre half to the Stadium of Light. Campbell
has been offered a £45,000-a-week, one-year package to move to the North
East with a possibility of a second season if he makes enough appearances.
The move appeals to the player because he will next week marry Fiona Barratt
and the pair have bought a major property in the area. However Sunderland
bosses have still to hear from Campbell over their offer and that has opened
the door for Grant to make an approach to keep him in the capital. Campbell
spent nine years at White Hart Lane with Spurs and in total another six with
Arsenal in two spells. One last spell in London could appeal to a player who
was devastated he didn't make Fabio Capello's final 23 for the World Cup
finals in South Africa. And Grant has been given the kind of financial
backing that would easily incorporate Campbell's wage demands.
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Barrera set to make Hammers move
ESPNsoccernet staff
July 10, 2010
ESPN
Pablo Barrera will sign a four-year contract with West Ham © Getty
ImagesPumas president Victor Mahbub has confirmed they have reached an
agreement with West Ham over Pablo Barrera. West Ham were in competition
with Everton and Espanyol for Barrera, 23, but won the race after offering
£4 million for the Mexico winger. "We have just finished the negotiations
for the transfer of Pablo Barrera to West Ham," Mahbub told Mediotiempo. "We
and the player are satisfied with the arrangement that we have made with
West Ham. "Barrera will be signing a four-year contract and then in two or
three years he will be transferred to another team. We reached a
satisfactory agreement for both parties and I want to make it clear that
there was no agent involved in the negotiations."
Barrera said: "I was told on Friday afternoon that my transfer to West Ham
has been arranged. I'm starting to get very anxious about travelling to
England so I can join my new team, know my team-mates, the stadium, the city
- everything."
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