Valencia set to feature in Copa America
Ecuador face Peru in their second Copa America fixture on Thursday morning and Hammers striker Enner Valencia is set to earn his 26th cap.
The Yellows recorded a goalless draw in their opening tie against Brazil in California, but still have Haiti to face in Group B after the clash against Peru in Glendale, Arizona which kicks-off at 3am UK time. Valencia completed 77 minutes against the five-time FIFA World Cup champions as Ecuador secured an important point that could prove to be a stepping stone to the knockout stages. The 26-year-old has found the net 14 times for his country in 25 games and will hope to add to that figure at the tournament being held in the USA; the first Copa America to venture outside South America. Valencia made 19 appearances in Claret and Blue during 2015/16, getting himself on the scoresheet on four occasions.
Elsewhere, West Ham defender Doneil Henry played 90 minutes for Canada on Tuesday evening as they recorded a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in a friendly prior to their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Their first fixture in qualifying for the tournament is against Honduras in September.
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Bilic - France are the favourites
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic believes France are the strong favourites to win the European Championship Finals but also feels England could cause a major surprise. The tournament gets underway on Friday night and West Ham fans will be keeping a close eye on the host nation as Dimitri Payet looks to become one of the star performers at the showpiece event. Payet has already showed his quality in the build-up to the tournament with another impressive free-kick against Cameroon and will be keen to cement his position in the starting line-up. Bilic will also be keeping a close eye on the progress of Darren Randolph, Angelo Ogbonna and James Collins who will be representing the Hammers in France. After helping the Republic of Ireland qualify for the Finals this summer with a memorable display against Germany in the qualifying stage, Randolph will be hoping to secure the number one jersey as his team prepare for a tough group which involves Sweden, Belgium and Italy. Collins is also relishing the chance to play at the Euro Finals and is proud to be part of the Wales squad that have qualified for their first major tournament since 1958, while his central defensive partner Ogbonna has been rewarded for an impressive season with a call-up to the Italy squad.
There is plenty for Bilic to be excited about and he will also be keen to see his native Croatia reach the latter stages. But the Hammers manager feels France are the strong favourites to win the tournament and says Didier Deschamps has created an atmosphere in the squad that will see them become a major threat on home soil. Bilic said: "France are the favourites, not just because they are playing at home, but because of their squad and the atmosphere that Deschamps has created. "They have a good balance and have a young team that is hungry. They have had a few slops in the last few tournaments but they will want to repeat what they did back in 1998. "They have options all throughout the team and have a good balance. They have young players who are already experienced like Pogba and Griezmann so in my opinion they are the favourites. "Of course when you only have one game in the knockout stages you will still have teams like Germany, Spain, Italy and teams who can beat any on their day like Portugal and Croatia."
Despite failing to make it out of the group stage in the World Cup in 2014, Bilic feels England could also be one of the surprise packages at the Euro Finals. Roy Hodgson's side were the only team in Europe to have a 100 per cent unbeaten record through the qualifying campaign winning all ten games and scoring 31 goals in the process. And with the likes of Jamie Vardy brimming with confidence following his title success at Leicester last season, Bilic feels they could be a match for any team on their day. Bilic added: "I saw England in 2014 when they failed to make it past the group stages but I thought they were really good in two games. "They were a bit in-experienced but I noticed the team spirit and energy in the team and I have seen it again when they played Germany recently in a friendly game. "On top of that they are the only team in Europe that had ten wins in the qualification. For me they can be a big surprise. "They have players who are high on confidence like Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane and I feel they can do something really great."
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Who are Seattle Sounders?
WHUFC.com
In 1974, a professional football club called Seattle Sounders was founded, initially playing outdoors at the Memorial Stadium before moving to the indoor Kingdome in 1976.
That same year, the pre-season visit of a New York Cosmos team featuring Pele drew a sell-out crowd of 58,128 to the Kingdome – an illustration how popular 'soccer' was, and remains, in the Pacific Northwest.
The original Sounders attracted big names to the city themselves, with Wales defender Mike England later being joined by West Ham United and England legends Geoff Hurst in 1976 and, two years later, Bobby Moore.
During that period, the Sounders regularly challenged at the top of the Western Division, winning the National Conference in 1980 and overall Western Division title in 1982 – both outdoors.
The original Sounders folded in 1983, and the following year the league itself – which had run for the final 14 years under the guidance of Commissioner and former Hammer Phil Woosnam – ceased operations.
Ten years later, in 1994, a second Seattle Sounders club was founded and played in the United Soccer League (USL) A-League/First Division – the second tier of the pyramid in the United States.
The new club played at Qwest Field – now named CenturyLink Field and home to the modern-day Sounders – for 13 of its 14 seasons in existence.
Like their predecessors, the second Sounders enjoyed success, winning four League Cups and five regular season titles, while also lifting the overall championship on four occasions. During that period, the club also produced future Fulham and United States goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann and fellow international striker Brian Ching.
However, attendances were relatively low, averaging between 2,000 and 3,500 for much of the club's existence, while attempts to become an MLS expansion team were thwarted by a reported lack of investment.
In 2007, however, the club's ownership was awarded an expansion club by the MLS, providing a return of top-level football to the city for the first time since 1983.
The new franchise, complete with new colours and crest, was officially unveiled in April 2008 and, since then, the club has gone from strength to strength.
With the continued growth in 'soccer' in North America and, in particular, the Pacific Northwest region that also boats the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps MLS clubs, the Sounders have attracted huge support.
Under German head coach Sigi Schmid and boasting a star-studded squad that has featured former Hammer Freddie Ljungberg, former US and Premier League goalkeeper Kasey Keller and Colombia forward Fredy Montero, the Sounders have won the US Open Cup four times and reached the finals of the MLS Cup – the domestic league play-off – on two occasions.
That success has caught the imagination of fans, who have helped attendances at CenturyLink Field regularly top the 40,000-mark, with a high of 67,385 for the derby visit of Portland Timbers in August 2013.
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Transfer round-up: the full list!
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 8th June 2016
By: Staff Writer
Going back to the beginning of May (and occasionally further), here's a (fairly comprehensive) list of the players West Ham United have been linked with thus far this summer.
Ins
Carlos Bacca (Inter): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129910
Michy Batshuayi (Marseille): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129854
Henri Bedimo (Lyon): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129888
Asmir Begovic (Chelsea): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129891
Christian Benteke (Liverpool): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129816
Jonathan Calleri (Sao Paulo): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129827
Agor Chukwudi (ASKJ Academy): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129847
Ante Coric (Dinamo): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129950
Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129827
Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129894
Nabil Fekir (Lyon): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129951
Manolo Gabbiadini (Napoli): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129818
Rachid Ghezzal (Lyon): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129880
Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129932
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129855
Mauro Icardi (Inter): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129872
Dominic Iorfa (Wolves): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129938
Zlatko Junuzovic (Werder Bremen): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129907
Veli Kavlak (Besiktas): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129923
Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129809
Toni Martinez (Valencia): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129660 - DONE DEAL!
Nampalys Mendy (Nice): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129827
Georges-Kevin N'Koudou (Marseille): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129940
Havard Nordtveit (BMG): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129610 - DONE DEAL!
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129946
Oğuzhan Özyakup (Besiktas): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129923
Roberto Pereyra (Juventus): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129950
Domingos Quina (Chelsea) http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129873 - DONE DEAL!
Matt Richie (Bournemouth): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129940
Jose Sosa (Besiktas): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129914
Gokhan Töre (Besiktas): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129862
Samuel Umtiti (Lyon): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129916
Gregory van der Wiel (PSG): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129827
Jamie Vardy (Leicester): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129948
Theo Walcott (Arsenal): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129946
Callum Wilson (Bournemouth): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129823
Ashley Young (Manchester Utd): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129815
Outs
Michail Antonio (Middlesbrough): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129863
Jordan Brown (Hannover): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129934 - DONE DEAL!
Reece Burke (Wigan Athletic): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129906
Reece Oxford (Manchester Utd): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129904
Diafra Sakho (Sunderland): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129911
Enner Valencia (West Brom): http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129825
External links
Ins
Aritz Aduriz (Atletico): http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/27/...5843862/
Andre Ayew (Swansea): http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/670800/...Gossip
Gohi Bi Zoro Cyriac (Oostende): http://www.voetbalnieuws.be/news/211906/...KV_Oostende
Breel Embolo (Basel): ]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/31/...to/
Bruno Godeau (Oostende): http://www.voetbalnieuws.be/news/211906/...KV_Oostende
Max Gradel (Bournemouth): link expired
Juraj Kucka (Milan): http://www.calciomercatonews.com/2016/05/30/...10-milioni/
Diego Laxalt (Fiorentina): http://www.gazzetta.it/Calciomercato/06-06-2016/...shtml
Bruno Ecuele Manga (Cardiff City): http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/...11330287
Neto (Juventus): http://footyfresh.com/news/...football
Ayoze Perez (Newcastle Utd):http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/newcastles-ayoze-perez...1563159
Alassane Plea (Nice): http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/newcastles-ayoze-perez...1563159
Fode Ballo Toure (PSG): http://talksport.com/football/transfer-report...99
Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona): http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/511198/...United
WIssam Ben Yedder (Toulouse): http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/...6302703
Simone Zaza (Juventus): http://www.football-italia.net/85435...zaza
Outs
James Tomkins (Crystal Palace): http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/...7998924
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Sheet of paper sells for £200
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 8th June 2016
By: Staff Writer
A laminated piece of A4 paper has sold for £200 in West Ham United's Boleyn Ground auction.
The sheet of paper, enclosed in see-through plastic bears the words 'Don't Forget Urine Samples Today Please' and once hung in the home dressing room at the Boleyn Ground.
Yet one unnamed supporter was happy to part with £200 plus fees (making the total cost nearer £280) for the piece of paper, which could have been replicated with a printer for a few pence.
Other crazy prices included £35 for an obsolete VHS video recorder, £180 for a battered toaster that once resided in the home dressing room and £35 for a tatty, photocopied A4 sheet of paper - complete with blu-tac on the back - reminding players not to leave kit on the floor.
Meanwhile three tunnel interview room signs that used to hang above the doors where players were interviewed by the media sold for a total of £800, whilst a ladies/gents toilet sign went for £425.
Of some notable lots sold today, the gramatically-incorrect 'winning its what we are here for' sign placed in the home dressing room by Alan Pardew fetched a healthy £425 and the curved perspex whufc.com sign from
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Chelsea ponder £31million Michy Batshuayi swoop after Belgium striker snubbed West Ham transfer bid
22:02, 8 JUN 2016 UPDATED 22:02, 8 JUN 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
The Belgium international has rejected interest from West Ham , insisting he wants to join a bigger club or a club in the Champions League
The Mirror
Chelsea are considering a move into the race for £31million Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi. The Belgium international has rejected interest from West Ham , insisting he wants to join a bigger club or a club in the Champions League. But Spurs are unwilling to be held to ransom by Marseille over Batshuayi's valuation. The north Londoners are already in talks with AZ Alkmaar for £12million Dutch striker Vincent Janssen and are hopeful of concluding a deal within days. They also have a number of alternatives to Batshuayi which they are prepared to pursue. Chelsea's primary targets are Everton striker Romelu Lukaku and Juventus marksman Alvaro Morata. But with Manchester United also keen on Morata, Chelsea have Batshuayi on their shortlist as a possible alternative.
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Former Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen 'a transfer target for Liverpool and West Ham'
21:43, 8 JUN 2016 UPDATED 21:43, 8 JUN 2016
BY LIAM CORLESS
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique will allow Vermaelen to leave the Nou Camp despite having already sanctioned the departure of Marc Bartra
The Mirror
Liverpool and West Ham are interested in signing Thomas Vermaelen from Barcelona, according to reports. The Belgium international joined Barca from Arsenal in 2014 but has made just 11 appearances during a frustrating spell in Catalonia. Spanish outlet Sport say Barca boss Luis Enrique will allow Vermaelen to leave the Nou Camp this summer - despite having already sanctioned the departure of Marc Bartra. The 25-year-old Spanish centre-back sealed a move to Borussia Dortmund last week after the German club activated his release clause of 8 million euros. A return to the Premier League is on the cards for ex-Gunners skipper Vermaelen, with Anfield and the Olympic Stadium potential destinations. It is claimed Vermaelen would prefer a return a move to West Ham over Liverpool, although there has not yet been any contact between the Hammers and Barcelona.
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is looking for top quality players to lead the Irons into their first season in their new stadium.
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Crowd fund appeal for Bobby Statue in Barking
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 8, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
A public appeal to raise funds for a statue of Bobby Moore has been launched in his home town of Barking. It aims to raise almost £160,000 to
cover the costs of commissioning, casting and erecting the monument.Barking and Dagenham council leader Darren Rodwell launched the campaign alongside Roberta Moore, daughter of the late ex-West Ham captain.
The campaign says: "We need your help to erect the people's statue in honour of Bobby Moore, West Ham and England's only World Cup winning captain in his home town of Barking. We are seeking donations to make it happen."
"We are calling on the public, who have long held Barking's Bobby Moore's titanic achievements in their heart, to show their appreciation for this national hero by helping us raise money to build a statue in his honour.
He is a national icon. The pinnacle of his career and the country's greatest footballing moment is forever frozen in time in one iconic image captured on that historic summer's day in 1966. Barking born and West Ham legend Bobby led England to its greatest ever footballing triumph at the height of the swinging 60's.
We are yet to request planning permission but will do so once the fundraising is completed as we will open a design competition to the public. If planning permission is not granted no pledges will be collected.
Soccer - Football League - West Ham United
What we'll deliver:
Build a lasting monument to Bobby Moore in his home town
Why it's a great idea:
Bobby Moore is a national and international figure of historical significance. Our statue will act as a beacon of civic pride for our residents and as an aspirational and inspiring symbol for our community. Bobby Moore was more than just a footballer, he was an ambassador for the sport and his home town. We will use the statue to help inspire and educate future stars.
Steps to get it done:
Apply for planning permission
bobby-moore-4Get planning approval
Appoint contractor
Start on site
Practical completion
Launch
We propose to commission the "people's statue" – a monument to stand at the gateway to the town where Bobby was born. As Russell Brand says in the soon to be released film, Bo66y –The Movie, "Some are knighted by monarchs. Others are knighted by the people." Bobby or Sir Bobby as he is often referred to falls in to that category and that is why we are passionate about honouring his achievement. Please support our bid."
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Lacazette & Benteke are bookies favourites to join
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 8, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
West Ham are the bookies favourites to land Alexandre Lacazette this summer transfer window at odds of 3/1.
PSG are 4/1, with Arsenal 5/1, while Liverpool and Juventus are both 6/1 chances.
The Hammers are also bookies favourites to sign Christian Benteke at 5/2 followed by Everton at 6/1 and Juventus at 9/1
West Ham are third favourites to sign Saido Berahino from West Bromwich Albion at 5/1 behind Spurs at 2/1 and Stoke at 4/1.
Juan Mata also gets a mention in the football transfer special bets with the Hammers joint fourth favourites with Spurs, Chelsea and Madrid at 6/1 to sign the Manchester United midfielder. PSG remain favourites at 5/2 followed Valencia at 7/2 and Barcelona at 5/1.
Daniel Sturridge is rated a 18/1 outside chance to join West Ham with Arsenal favourites at 6/1.
Long shot bets include Everton's Romelu Lukaku joining the Irons at 20/1 or Chelsea's John Terry joining West Ham also at 20/1.
The bookies have paid no attention to Jack Sullivan's recent tweet the Hammers are not interested in Theo Walcott or Alex Oxlade Chamberlain.
Walcott remains a 10/11 favourite to join the Hammers this summer while the Ox is a 14/1 outsider to join.
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Midfielder at overwhelming odds to join Irons
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 8, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H
The bookies have Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie as an overwhelming favourite to join the Irons before the summer transfer deadline.
SkyBet have the midfielder at an extraordinary 1/4 which suggests the deal is all but done despite Cherries boss Eddie Howe claiming he's not interested in selling the player.
The Hammers launched a bid for Ritchie and striker Callum Wilson and after being beaten by Manchester United on the final day of his season Howe hit out at the timing of the bid.
Hwever, the Hammers claimed they had not made the bid public and that it could have found its way into the media from the Cherries end.
Regardless of the war of wors, the bookies have leapt onto the story and are apparently convinced Ritchie is all but a Hammer.
Interestingly, however, there is no suggestion that Callum Wilson will be joining him as he doesn't feature in their odds list.
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