Daily WHUFC News - 17th February 2016

Sakho - I'm working very hard
WHUFC.com

Diafra Sakho is desperate to make his return to first-team action and get back to what he does best - scoring goals! With five to his name, the No15 will have to go some to reach his target of 20 for the season, but the Senegal striker is determined to honour his word to West Ham United supporters. Such is Sakho's eagerness to start hitting the net again that he is putting in extra fitness work at home in a bit to return to action from the thigh injury he suffered in late November. The 26-year-old has been working closely with head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke and rehab fitness coach Eamon Swift, with the former suggesting that Sakho could be back in a Claret and Blue shirt by the end of February. "Honestly, my recovery's going very well," Sakho told whufc.com. "Even though it's been a lot quicker than what I'd thought, I'm in a hurry to come back because I promised to score 20 goals and at the moment I'm only on five in all competitions. So that leaves 15. "I'm going to try right until the end to keep to my word. Even if the fans say, 'the whole season he only played 20 or so games', I hope, in the games that I'm going to play, to respect my words. That's very important to me. "I want to play right now. I need to play right now, but Stijn says 'No, no, I have to wait'. I'm working very hard with Stijn and with Eamon, and at home as well."
Sakho has proved a big hit since joining West Ham from French club Metz in August 2014, scoring 17 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions. The Guediawaye-born striker began the current season with two UEFA Europa League goals against FC Lusitans, before adding further goals in the Barclays Premier League victories at Liverpool and Manchester City. However, a pair of thigh injuries have restricted his appearances since October and the popular forward will be hoping to return and contribute to the Hammers' cause over the closing weeks of the 2015/16 campaign.

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Hammers reach Enterprise Challenge final
WHUFC.com

Students from Stepney Green Maths, Computing and Science College will be representing West Ham United at the Premier League Enterprise Challenge Final after winning their heat at the Emirates Stadium. The young Hammers beat off competition from Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur to win through to the London final in March and battle it out for the chance to win the coveted award for West Ham for the second time in three years. The innovative project is a business and skills based competition run by the Premier League and Sport Relief, which this year tasked pupils with working on a strategy to help encourage fans to spend more time at stadiums on match days. With 29 school groups representing Premier League and Football League clubs up and down the country, the Hammers will now progress to the final on 9 March, where they will go head-to-head in pitching their idea to a panel of judges from the world of sport and business. The local wannabe entrepreneurs will face stiff competition from five other school groups, representing Swansea City, Everton, Middlesbrough, Manchester United and Norwich City. Since its introduction in 2009, 10,000 young people aged between 13 and 17 have taken part in the programme which uses business models of professional football clubs to deliver enterprise education, with another 1,000 set to take part in this year's competition. The boys from Stepney Green were left stunned as they were announced as winners of the Challenge, having fended off stiff competition from other London based clubs. Foundation team member Rashadul Alam could hardly contain his delight. "I'm ecstatic! We worked for hours and hours on the presentation and that second when our name was read out was the realisation of all of that work. I've learnt so many new skills and I've gained so much confidence from this whole experience. I've been so grateful for the opportunity!"

The Premier League Enterprise challenge has the power to change lives and none more so than for the tournament's former winners from 2014 that, having come through the project with the WHU Foundation, are now mentoring this year's challengers. 2014 Enterprise Challenge winner Sayed Ashrabul said: "We've been through the Enterprise Challenge before and we know how much time and effort goes into it! The boys have done so well to reach the final and they fully deserve it. It's been fantastic to have been able to mentor them having won the tournament with the Foundation back in 2014. "Just like the West Ham United Foundation staff mentored us and helped develop us as people, we can now give back to the younger generation of students and help offer them some guidance."

The same sentiment was echoed by WHU Foundation Enterprise Co-Ordinator Jack Toghli, who had seen a massive personal development in the team. "The boys have done great. They've put a lot of hours in over the months and when I started with them they were nervous and they have come on massively. Their confidence levels have gone through the roof. "Having our 2014 winners here as mentors is such a fantastic example of the Foundation's commitment to creating the leaders of tomorrow, to go out into the community and inspire the next generation. Hopefully this year's participants can go on to mentor the Enterprise Challengers of the future!"

Premier League Executive Chairman, Richard Scudamore, who set this year's task said: "I am sure this year's challenge, our eighth, will produce even better ideas generated by even more enthusiastic and engaged young people. Our successful partnership with Sport Relief, Premier League and Football League clubs, to deliver education with football as the backdrop, continues to bring new and exciting entrepreneurs to the fore. I look forward to seeing the six Play-Off winning groups at the final in March."

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Hammers duo set for Romford store signing
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike will be taking part in a store signing at the Club's official Liberty Romford store on Friday 19 February.
The pair, good friends off the pitch, have added real fire power upfront for the Hammers this season and will be attending the Club's Liberty Romford store between 1.30pm and 3.30pm*, signing merchandise brought in-store on the day and posing for photographs. Moses, on loan from Chelsea, helped fire the Hammers to a famous 2-1 away win at Manchester City with a fine first half strike while also having a hand in other crucial goals – most recently teeing up Dimitri Payet to kick-start the comeback against Norwich City. Meanwhile, fellow Nigerian international Emenike has looked dangerous since joining in January, making notable impacts off the bench against Southampton and the Canaries. This is the perfect chance to meet two of the newest Hammers' heroes, up close and personal so make sure you arrive with plenty of time to avoid disappointment.

*Please note end times are always subject to change and so fans are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

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The Big Interview - Mark Noble
WHUFC.com

West Ham United skipper Mark Noble says Saturday's 2-2 draw at Norwich City was the embodiment of the character needed for them to succeed over the final three months of the campaign.

After a draining extra time win at Liverpool in the week, they had to fight to come from 2-0 down at Carrow Road, with Noble himself grabbing a fine equaliser.

Now, with an FA Cup fifth round tie at Blackburn Rovers looming, plus league games against Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, the Academy graduate is ready for a big end to the season.

When you talk about character and resilience, I guess that's the buzzword after Saturday at Norwich?

MN: "Yes, especially after the last couple of weeks we've had. We've had games Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday, and we obviously had the emotion of scoring in the last minute against Liverpool. That was 120 minutes of football which went to the wire and Norwich was an important game for us.

"We knew it was going to be tough, because they are fighting for points, but the way we came back and the belief we've got as a squad shone through. The subs we made had a huge impact and I thought we deserved a point in the end."

Victor Moses is a real impact player for you isn't he?

MN: "That's Victor. He's got that in him. When he and Andy Carroll came on they had that impact and he could have scored two goals himself. He was fantastic, he set up the first one with a great run and set up some vital chances for us.

"That's what we've got as a squad now, we've got the players to do that. The manager has players at his disposal to turn it around and as soon as they scored the second we really took the game to them."

Most people might have thought, 'they played 120 minutes on Tuesday, they're 2-0 down - they won't get back into it'...

MN: "We were 2-0 down, one a fantastic strike from Robbie Brady, but in the end we probably should have won it. The character and belief we have in the squad is fantastic."

You scored the equaliser - one of the best of your career?

MN: "Yes, probably. I was playing holding midfield at the time, but I saw the ball go forward and I saw Dimi on it. I know he's going to look for a pass, so I made the run, he rolled it across to the edge of the box and I just stuck it away. It was fantastic and gave us the foot up to go on and try to win the game."

After a week like this do you feel there's a bandwagon rolling for West Ham?

MN: "I hope so. There's the FA Cup game against Blackburn on Sunday, we've had a few days to rest after the couple of weeks we've had, and our league position allows us to go into the Cup game and give everything. It would be a fantastic thing for the Club to have a run in the FA Cup in the last season at Upton Park."

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Jelavic moves to China
WHUFC.com

West Ham United can confirm that Nikica Jelavic has joined China League One club Beijing Renhe on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee.
The Croatia international forward spent five-and-a-half months with the Hammers, scoring two goals in 14 appearances, including an Emirates FA Cup third-round winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers in January. The 30-year-old's move to the Far East ends a six-year spell in English football that also saw him turn out for Everton and Hull City. West Ham United would like to thank Nikica for his hard work during his time at the Boleyn Ground and wish him all the best for his future career.

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Jelavic joins Chinese revolution
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 16th February 2016
By: Staff Writer

Nikica Jelavic has joined Chinese second division side Beijing Renhe - only six months after leaving Hull to move to the Boleyn Ground. The 30-year-old former Croatian international, who moved to east London on transfer deadline day last September has finally completed his belated switch to Renhe in a deal worth around £2million - a similar fee to that West Ham paid Hull last year. West Ham's now former #26 scored two goals during his brief spell in east London, against Wolves in the FA Cup and at Newcastle in a 2-1 defeat last month. In all he made 15 appearances for Slaven Bilic's side. Jelavic, who also represented Rangers and Everton during his six-year stay in the UK is just the latest in a series of European-based players to move to China. He will earn in the region of £9million over the course of the next three years. Former Chelsea star Ramires joined Jiangsu Suning for £25m in January, whilst Columbian international Jackson Martínez left La Liga outfit Atlético Madrid to join Guangzhou Evergrande in a £31million switch on 2 February.

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Tickets for West Ham? Join the queue, Hodgson
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 16th February 2016
By: Graeme Howlett

The next time Roy Hodgson asks to visit West Ham, the club should kindly point him towards the ticket office and tell him to join the queue.

After all, what's the point of treating the incumbent England manager as a VIP and paying him lip-service if he has little to no interest whatsoever in selecting any United players for his England squads?

Hodgson has been in charge at Soho Square since 2012 and his predilection for selecting teams from the nation's elite clubs - plus Liverpool and Tottenham - renders him as short-sighted any of his predecessors.

His disinclination to back any Hammers came to a head last Saturday evening when Alan Shearer, of all people, put Hodgson on the spot during Match of the Day when asking why Mark Noble hadn't been offered the opportunity to represent his country.

And the England manager couldn't have made it any clearer that Noble has a cat in hell's chance of ever pulling on a white shirt whilst he remains at the helm. "A lot of people want to ask you, what about him? Is Mark Noble in your thoughts?" asked Shearer following a replay of Noble's equaliser at Carrow Road.

To which Hodgson replied: "It's always good to see Mark Noble - who we've watched for a long time - and Danny Drinkwater, another player we've watched for a long time doing so well and playing so well for their teams.

"We're pretty happy with our midfield, we've got a good group of players we think. But it's always nice that there's a bit of extra competition coming from the outside.

"We can never close the door on anyone who's English because there aren't that many," he added. "It's good to see them playing well and Mark is a very good character - as is Danny Drinkwater, I believe."

As snubs go, it was a fairly comprehensive and unequivocal one. But Hammers fans shouldn't really be surprised for it's been many, many years since players were picked to represent the nation based on form rather than the club shirt they happen to wear.

There are a whole plethora of bizarre selections to support this particularly well-employed theory. The much-discussed Tom Cleverley was a shoo-in for the England squad whilst a member of the Old Trafford mafia - whereas since moving to Aston Villa, he has barely been involved.

Arsenal, who rarely if ever fail to have a player included in the England squad - even when they regularly sent out teams consisting of 11 foreign players - can always count upon the likes of Kieron Gibbs or Callum Chambers being involved.

Returning north again, teenager Luke Shaw appeared in one England squad before he was on the verge of completing a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2014 - since when he had made 12 appearances, more than he's made for the Red Devils' first team this season.

And whilst Noble should have serious cause for complaint given his excellent recent run of form, defender Aaron Cresswell should feel just as put out by Hodgson's inability to look beyond the nation's elite clubs.

Since moving from Ipswich the left-sided defender has been a revelation at the Boleyn Ground, yet is still awaiting his first call up for the national team.

Meanwhile Dele Alli made just two competitive appearances for Tottenham's first XI - a defeat at Manchester United and a draw with Leicester - before getting the nod from the short-sighted Hodgson last August.

Although Liverpudlian Cresswell has little choice, Noble does of course have an alternative with the Republic of Ireland still holding out an olive branch.

Canning Town born and bred, Noble could potentially represent the Irish as a result of his Cork-born grandparents - although to his credit he has thus far refused. After all - if you don't feel it, you don't feel it.

So for as long as the door to our players remains firmly closed, West Ham please stop wasting your time.

And next time Hodgson calls, asking for free tickets and a plush seat in the Directors' Box, politely thank him for his interest and pass on contact details for the ticket office - where the myopic old fart can stand in a line with the rest of us.


Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.

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Nikica Jelavic: West Ham striker completes move to China
BBC.co.uk

West Ham striker Nikica Jelavic has joined Chinese second division side Beijing Renhe for about £2m. The 30-year-old Croatia international has made one Premier League start this season under compatriot Slaven Bilic. He follows Chelsea's Ramires, who joined Jiangsu Suning for £25m last month, while striker Jackson Martinez joined Guangzhou Evergrande for £31m. The Colombian left Atletico Madrid for the Chinese Super League side, breaking the Asian transfer record. Jelavic signed for West Ham for £3m from Hull in August 2015, but has scored only once in the league despite making 12 appearances from the bench. He previously played for Everton and Rangers.

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THE WEST HAM FORWARD WHO SHOULD PLAY AT RIGHT BACK AGAINST BLACKBURN
By Iain Dale 16 Feb 2016 at 17:00
WTID

With Sam Byram cuptied and both James Tomkins and Joey O'Brien injured, Slaven Bilic has a real dilemma about who to play at right back on Sunday in the FA Cup fifth round match at Ewood Park. I'm not familiar enough with the Development Squad to know if any of them might be knocking on the first team door, but I suspect not.

In normal circumstances we might play a central defender at right back. The trouble is, we don't have any spare central defenders. Ogbonna and Collins are our only fit central defenders. Reece Oxford is another possibility, I guess, but I don't think he's ever played at right back.

The solution, I believe, is to play Michail Antonio there. He played for twenty minutes against Liverpool in that position and did brilliantly. He can tackle, he has pace and we know he can cross the ball. Surely it makes sense.

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England v Germany Boleyn game for Mooro?
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

ClaretandHugh understands the club are looking into the possibility of staging an England XI v Germany XI match at the Boleyn Ground before the season ends to commemorate the contribution Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst made in winning the World Cup in 1966 fifty years ago.

A crowd of 93,000 spectators – including the Queen and Prince Phillip – filled London's Wembley Stadium to watch the host nation play West Germany in the final game of the 1966 championships.

Another 400 million people around the world watched the keenly fought match on television.

In the final moments of extra time former Hammer Geoff Hurst powered home his third goal to give England a 4-2 victory and to become the first man ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.

After Germany had taken an early lead, Hurst levelled the score for England by half time with a header from a free kick taken by captain Bobby Moore. The West Ham and England Captain lifted the World Cup.

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FA Cup fifth round sells out
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham has sold all 7,200 tickets for Ewood park this Sunday. Son of the chairman, David Sullivan Junior confirmed the news this evening on twitter by saying "We've sold out 7,200 ticket allocation for Blackburn, 5 days in advance. Bare in mind it's a 4/5 hour trip and on TV. Best fans going ⚒" His brother Jack followed up by adding "Best fans in the world IRONS" But Jack dashed any hopes of taking more than the 7,200 allocation by replying to West Ham fan who asked whether we could ask for more. "We have (asked) but we have a stand so we can't get anymore. I would urge not to buy in the Blackburn end." Blackburn average attendance is around 15,000 but they managed a gate of 28,415 last time they faced a Premier Opposition at Ewood park. In April 2015 they came off 1-0 losers in a sixth round FA Cup replay with Liverpool.

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£4 million Jelavic? In our dreams
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

ClaretandHugh has again been assured this afternoon that reports of Nikicia Jelavic's transfer to China nrtting the club a transfer fee of £4 million are false. Various media outlets have claimed the Hammers sold the Croatian for £4 million but that was rubbished by a highly placed source at Upton Park. Such a fee would have given a 100 per cent profit on the former Hull City striker but the club has made it clear to us that is definitely not the case. We were told: "The club managed to salvage £1.5m of the £2.5m we paid, but it allows us to go again and releases one from the wage bill. "There seems to have been some confusion on the figures – maybe the media has mixed up transfer fees with wages but whatever the reason we certainly won't see £4 million."

ClaretandHugh reported earlier today the figure was believed to be between £1.5m – £2m and our source said: "You have had it correct from the start of the deal."

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Nobes testimonial unlikely to be rescheduled
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Sources close to club insist Mark Noble's testimonial will go ahead on Easter Monday 28th March despite the threat of a rail strike in the 24 hours before kick off at the Boleyn Ground.

Our source told us "We are aware of the threat of a rail strike but we have nearly sold out tickets to Mark Noble's testimonial and are unlikely to reschedule it"

Maintenance workers on London Underground are scheduled to stage a series of 12 and 24-hour strikes in a dispute over safety.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union are scheduled hold one of these strike's from 6.30am on Sunday, March 27th (Easter Sunday) until 6.29am on Monday, March 28th. (Easter Monday)

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Moses gave me good reasons to join Hammers
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 16, 2016 in News
C and H

Emenike has told a Nigerian newspaper that Victor Moses gave him good reasons to join West Ham before he decided to join the Hammers on loan in a move he described God ordained for him.
Emenike told the Nation newspaper in Nigeria about Moses involvement in the loan "We have been talking before moving to West Ham. He was happy when I told him about the transfer and he gave me good reasons why West Ham is the best for me at this time. We joked about our Nations Cup of Africa (AFCON) glory in 2013 and we both agreed it was teamwork that gave us the victory. I hope that I am looking forward to play with him and share that great moment again. I have a wonderful connection with him and know we will get better on the pitch,".

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God ordained my move to West Ham
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 15, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

"My transfer to West Ham came at the right time. It is like a blessing. I did not want to leave Al Ain but I think God ordained the move, it happened so fast and coming to the English Premiership is something I have always wanted," Emenike told the Nation newspaper in Nigeria. "This move is not about money but it is difficult to explain to people who think every move is down to money. I have learned from my past, I am a striker and I want to prove that I can still score goals," he added. "I will get well and better in the team, the atmosphere is great, and I am hoping to start on a high note. I am hoping my teammates and the coach will help me to fit in perfectly because I am ready to adapt quickly and keep the confidence alive"

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Agent confirms Zaza interest
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 16, 2016 in News
C and H

Simone Zaza was heavily linked with a move to Premier League last month, with both West Ham and Palace reportedly keen on bringing him in on loan until the end of the season. The Hammers instead bought in Emenike on loan.

His agent has broken silence now confirmed that interest, but he insists the 24-year-old never wanted to leave Juventus. "There were expressions of interest from Premier League clubs in January," agent Christian Maifredi told inBlu Radio. "They'll benefit from greater financial resources next season from television rights. There was interest, but nothing more. There was never a real possibility of Zaza moving away from Juventus, that wasn't what he wanted or what the club wanted. Today no-one thinks of leaving this great team."

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Former Hammer on trial in Scotland
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Former Hammer, Julien Faubert has joined St Johnstone on trial. The 32-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Bordeaux in 2015 and is seeking to win a contract at McDiarmid Park.
He played for the Scottish Premiership club's Under 20 side on Monday night and was listed as a trialist. Faubert signed for the Hammers for £6.1m in 2007 on a five year contract amid big expectations, but could score only two league goals during 103 appearances. He was famously loaned to Real Madrid for a loan fee thought to £1.5m plus wages while a Hammer, where he was snapped sleeping on the subs bench. His loan spell finished with only two appearances. He is due to return to the Boleyn ground one more time to turn out for Mark Noble for his testimonial on Easter Monday. Earlier this year Faubert told Sky Sports "To be honest West Ham is just an amazing club in England. In France, the people don't know that club like English people. I think that's why I had some problems with the national team. But I really love that club." "West Ham is a part of my life now, and when I go back to Upton Park it feels like home," he says. "I spent a really good time there with crazy, special fans. If I could have finished my career at West Ham, I would have done.

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Lanzini set for Blackburn return
Posted by Sean Whetstone on February 16, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West ham Chairman, David Gold says he is hopeful the Manuel Lanzini will travel with the Hammers squad to Blackburn for the fifth round FA Cup match at Ewood park on Sunday. Gold posted on twitter today "I'm hoping Lanzini travels to Blackburn. dg"
Ten days ago Bilic confirmed Lanzini has resumed first team training saying "On Sunday (7th Feb) Lanzini will start training with the team again, which is a big boost for us," while head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke told the club's official website."Lanzini is only a few days away before re-joining the team."

Lanzini is thought unlikely to start but there is a strong possibility he will make the bench and could feature in a small cameo role as he attempts to regain his match fitness.

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THE PAYET CONUNDRUM - WHY DIDN'T ANYONE ELSE SIGN HIM BEFORE WEST HAM?
By Iain Dale 16 Feb 2016 at 08:00
WTID
Guest Post by Daniel Grimes

Dimitri Payet has had an exceptional start to his West Ham career. He has greatly impacted not only the club, but the league as a whole. His creativity, quick feet, and seemingly effortless technique have lit up the Premier League, earning him potentially justifiable comparisons stemming from World Cup winner, Mesut Ozil, to West Ham and England legend, Sir Trevor Brooking. Despite missing three months with an ankle injury, 'Super Slaven's' man has picked up seven goals and five assists in just 19 Premier League games.

However, with Payet turning 29 in March, and arriving at The Boleyn Ground in the summer off the back of no fewer than 10 impressive seasons in Ligue 1, you can't help but wonder why it has taken this undeniable talent so long to make his mark on arguably the world's greatest league.

Payet enjoyed successful spells with Nantes, Saint-Etienne, Lille and Marseille, scoring 57 league goals and making it into Ligue 1 Team of the Year in 2013 and 2015. Dimitri was no hidden gem by any means. Performing well for multiple French clubs and earning 15 international caps since 2010, it's clear that his talents were highly regarded in France at least, but why is it that no Premier League club turned their attention to Dimitri until the Summer of 2016?

One reason that could have contributed to this is the shortcomings of players with a similar style who tried their luck in the Premier League, especially those who arrived from Ligue 1. Despite the previous success of players such as Ginola, Cantona and Henry, French players have struggled to emulate the success of these players in England since. This isn't the same for all positions, but it certainly seems to be the trend with the technical positions such as the wingers and attacking midfielders.

Arsenal's former Ivorian winger, Gervinho, arrived from Lille as an exciting player, scoring 36 times in his two previous seasons in France. But, despite his pace and skill, it seemed he wasn't cut out for the Premier League, and Arsene Wenger offloaded him after two seasons.

Newcastle United had high hopes when they brought Remy Cabella to the Premier League for £8m following his four seasons in Ligue 1, where he averaged more than a goal every four games. However, he managed just one goal in 33 Premier League appearances, and was loaned back to Marseilles after just one season as part of the deal to bring French winger, Florian Thauvin (Likened to Franck Ribery) to the Prem for £12m.

Despite being named as one of the 10 most promising players in Europe by The Observer in 2014, Florian's time with Newcastle has proven to have been no better than Cabella's, with the winger already being loaned back to Marseille after just five months and 12 Premier League appearances.

So it is clear to see that even the most promising of Ligue 1's attacking players will or have struggled in the Premier League, and this may pose as too much of a risk for clubs who scouted Payet, as they decided not to take the gamble on him.

Another potential deterrent for any club looking Payet's way would be the Premier Leagues increasing emphasis on the physical side of the game. It is often said that The Prem offers a more physically competitive style of play than any of Europe's other top leagues. This physicality has also lead to some teams prioritising a strong, solid defence in order to combat the growing trend towards powerful attacking players, and athletically robust midfields. Plenty of managers such as Tony Pulis, Sam Allardyce, Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have adopted defensive playing styles, favouring hard working players who can contribute in defence as much as attack.

At Chelsea, Mourinho even sold fans favourite Juan Mata off the back of two seasons in which he earned Chelsea's player of the season, just because the creative midfielder didn't track back effectively. This suggests that even top managers are refusing to adapt their tactics in order to suit the style of players who like to attack with freedom, if they aren't capable of pulling their weight off the ball.

This is an area of Payet's game that he has lacked in the past, with former Nantes coach, Stéphane Moreau describing him as a "talented player despite his natural indifference". This 'natural indifference' in Dimitri's game would almost certainly discourage Premier League managers who rely on the commitment and work ethic of their players as much as any characteristic. With Payet's physicality being average at best for a Premier League midfielder, the next best thing would be his work ethic, and with his naturally casual and effortless way of playing the game, it is not surprising to think that some managers would have averted their attention away from Payet.

One final reason as to why it has taken Payet so long to get his chance in the Premier League could possibly be Payet's worth to his former team, Marseille. Payet had been a long term target for Newcastle United during his time in France, but even when Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa reportedly claimed that Payet had no future at the club back in 2014, the two clubs still couldn't agree on a price.

Marseille brought Payet to the Stade Vélodrome for around £10m, and would have been looking to at least recoup that, if not more. Slaven Bilic himself claimed that he attempted to sign Payet for Besiktas in 2014, and that it was 'impossible' to do a deal. On top of this, Payet's agent may have also made things difficult for clubs interested in him. Jacques-Olivier Auguste allegedly claimed that he wanted his client to stay at Marseille in the summer, despite the ongoing talks with West Ham. And just eight months into his West Ham career, Auguste caused further trouble by demanding his player earns £125,000 per week, which Sullivan and Gold have since given him.

In conclusion, I think it's a combination of these factors that have accumulated into Payet's late start to life in the Premier League. With a number of similar players failing to make their mark on the league, and managers looking towards midfielders that are more defensively sound or physically proficient, it becomes easier to understand why so many clubs decided to look beyond the Frenchman. On top of this, Marseille's valuation of the player, his worth to the club, and quite possibly the interference of Dimitri's agent would have provided an even riskier obstacle for any club who took an interest in the attacking midfielder.

So, two thirds into the season, and it appears that West Ham's bravery in the French transfer market may be paying off.

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Former Man City, Man United and West Ham striker Carlos Tevez snubs mega-money move to China
By talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) | Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Former Manchester City, Manchester United and West Ham forward Carlos Tevez has reportedly rejected a move to the Chinese Super League. Tevez has become the latest player to be linked with a lucrative switch to China and reports have suggested he's considered following fellow South American stars Jackson Martinez and Ramires to the Far East. The 32-year-old only left Juventus for La Bombonera last summer but Shanghai SIPG were said to be willing to offer the forward a huge sum of money to play for them for one season.However, according to Argentine newspaper Ole, Tevez has now decided he wants to stay in his home country and finish his career with boyhood club Boca Juniors.

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