Preview - FC Slovacko
WHUFC.com
West Ham United to play third pre-season match against FC Slovacko in Austria
Hammers to face Czech First League side in Rohrbach on Tuesday
Tore, Antonio, Randolph, Kouyate and Valencia have joined up with squad
When and where?
West Ham United v FC Slovacko (CZE)
Pre-season match
Tuesday 19 July 2016, 6pm CEST (5pm BST)
Stadion Rohrbach, Untere Hauptstraße 17, 8234 Rohrbach an der Lafnitz
What's the story?
West Ham United get the friendly matches of their 2016 summer tour to Austria underway on Tuesday when they take on Czech outfit FC Slovacko in the eastern Austrian town of Rohrbach an der Lafnitz.
Slovacko are a top-flight Czech side based in Uherske Hradiste and have been members of the First League since 2009, finishing mid-table in eighth last term.
Twice runners-up in their domestic cup, they have spent 14 of the last 16 years in the top tier of the Czech football season.
Coached by former Czech international defender Stanislav Levy, they won 12 of 30 games last term en route to picking up 40 points.
Slaven Bilic's side have been in Austria since Sunday and will tune up for next-week's UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie against Shakhtyor Soligorsk or NK Domzale with three matches in five days.
Following two weeks of solid training and friendlies already this summer in Seattle and North Carolina, the Hammers will be looking to take the next step in Austria.
Team news
Bilic has a large group of players at his disposal in Austria and is expected to mix and match his teams over the three games this week.
Darren Randolph is the first of the Club's players who featured at Euro 2016 to return and he will enjoy game time between the sticks, as will Adrian and Raphael Spiegel.
Enner Valencia has resumed training with the squad following his involvement for Ecuador at the Copa America, and Cheikhou Kouyate is also back after playing in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for Senegal this summer.
Meanwhile, Gokhan Tore and Michail Antonio have linked up with the first team squad after missing the tour to the United States.
Any links between the two?
Yes! Slovacko's 20-year-old back-up goalkeeper Vit Nemrava was loaned to West Ham United as a teenager and spent more than a year in the Academy of Football before returning to his parent club.
Nemrava, who featured for the Hammers' U18s and Development Squad, has been capped by his country at every age-group level between U16 and U19.
The only other members of the Slovacko squad to have spent any time in English football are goalkeeper Michal Danek, who enjoyed a brief loan spell with West Bromwich Albion from Viktoria Plzen in 2008, but did not feature in the Baggies' first team, and Macedonian midfielder Velice Sumulikoski.
Sumulikoski was at Ipswich Town between 2008-09 and Preston North End the following year and has 84 Macedonia caps to his name.
How do I get to the match?
Click here for a map of the Stadion Rohrbach's location.
How can I watch the match?
The game is being broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports, which is available on the Sky, Virgin and TalkTalk platforms. Click here for more info.
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Feghouli - The Club is incredibly ambitious
WHUFC.com
Feghouli joined the Club from Valencia
The Algeria international predicts big things for the Hammers next season
Feghouli helped unveil the new Home Kit at the new Stadium
West Ham United's new signing Sofiane Feghouli is confident the Club can achieve big things next season and cannot wait to showcase his talents in the new Stadium. Feghouli arrives with a big pedigree having been one of the star performers at Valencia and is keen to re-produce his best form in the Premier League. The Algeria international has already got to know his new team-mates following a successful tour to the US and is now continuing his pre-season preparations in Austria with the rest of the first-team squad. With the Hammers set for another Europa League adventure and the historic move into the new Stadium, Feghouli cannot wait for the new season to get underway and predicts big things under Slaven Bilic. Feghouli said: "The Club is incredibly ambitious, and that was my main reason for coming here. "We will be doing all we can to be as competitive as possible in all of the competitions we are involved in. "I think that with the team that we have got, the players that will be brought in during the transfer window, combined with our fans, then we can go on to achieve some great things together. "The stadium is magnificent and all the players are excited to play there for the first time in front of so many of our fantastic supporters. "We all feel privileged to have the opportunity to play in such an exceptional stadium."
Feghouli joined fellow new signings Gokhan Tore, Havard Nordtveit and Ashley Fletcher at the new 2016/17 Umbro Home Kit unveiling at the weekend and was thrilled to see so many fans attend the ceremony. Feghouli added: "It was the first time that we had seen the new Home Kit and we are really pleased with it because it is really nice. It was great for the players to see those fans who came to the show on Saturday. "There are lots of West Ham fans and that is brilliant for us to see that we have their support. They create a positive atmosphere and that encourages us to work hard and get off to a good start."
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Payet named among Europe's elite
WHUFC.com
Dimitri Payet has been voted as the 13th-Best Player in Europe in a prestigious UEFA poll
Payet one of nine English-based players to receive votes from the continent's journalists
West Ham United star is third-highest Premier League entrant behind Mahrez and Vardy
Dimitri Payet has been voted as the 13th-Best Player in Europe in a prestigious UEFA poll.
The West Ham United and France star finished ahead of the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Eden Hazard in the voting, which saw journalists from each of UEFA's 55 member associations provide a list of their five best-ranked players.
Each journalist's No1 nominee received five points, the second four and so on. The ten players with the most points now advance to the second vote, which will determine the three finalists to be named on 5 August.
Payet, who enjoyed an outstanding debut season for the Hammers before excelling for his country at UEFA Euro 2016, was the third-highest ranked Premier League player behind Leicester City pair Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, who were voted eleventh and 12th respectively.
The trio were also shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award earlier this year, which Mahrez won after helping the Foxes to win the Premier League title, and named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
The UEFA Best Player in Europe top ten reads like a who's who of European football, with Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and Real Madrid quartet Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Toni Kroos all included.
The Hammer of the Year's France teammate Antoine Griezmann and Bayern Munich and Germany duo Manuel Neuer and Thomas Mueller round out those who will vie for the overall title of the Best Player in Europe, who will be announced during the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on 25 August.
In total, 37 players picked up votes in the initial poll – including nine who played their football in England last season.
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Five Talking Points - Austria Tour
WHUFC.com
The hot topics for discussion as West Ham United continue their pre-season schedule by facing Czech First League side FC Slovacko...
New (and old) faces
West Ham United's first-team squad is taking on a more familiar look following the return of a number of international stars to pre-season training. After missing the US Tour to recharge their batteries after summer duty with their respective national teams, Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Ecuador forward Enner Valencia have travelled to Austria. With new father Michail Antonio and Turkish winger Gokhan Tore also in the party, Slaven Bilic has plenty of options to pick from in the Hammers' three pre-season matches with FC Slovacko, Rubin Kazan and Karlsruher SC.
Winging it
The addition of Antonio and Tore to a squad that already includes Sofiane Feghouli and Martin Samuelsen means Slaven Bilic now has an embarrassment of riches in wide areas. All four – potentially alongside Academy prospect Marcus Browne – will battle the yet-to-return Dimitri Payet for places on the wing in the managers' favoured 4-2-3-1 formation ahead of the 2016/17 season. With Payet surely guaranteed to start when fit, and Antonio potentially filling the right-back berth when the Premier League campaign kicks-off, it may be that Feghouli and Tore are fighting it out for the starting place on the right of the front three?
Centre points
With West Ham's squad continuing to be strengthened in all areas, there will also be fierce competition for places in the two deeper-lying midfield positions. Last season Cheikhou Kouyate, Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang and Alex Song were the four players who battled for two starting positions ahead of the back four, with the former being handed the majority of starts by manager Bilic. Since then, Song has departed, but his squad place has been filled by the experienced Norway international Havard Nordtveit, who arrives with a superb reputation after five seasons in the Germany Bundesliga with Borussia Moenchengladbach. Throw the ever-developing Josh Cullen into the mix and, if all five are fit, Bilic has a few more tough decisions to make…
Czech mates
The value of pre-season results will be debated for as long as football is played, with some fans concerned when their team loses warm-up fixtures, and others blissfully unaffected. On Tuesday, West Ham face a team which finished eighth in the Czech First League last season in 1. FC Slovacko – a team every Hammers fan would expect to beat ten times out of ten in a competitive fixture. However, with players returning to action after summer breaks and others still seeking their best form and peak fitness, and multiple substitutions expected to disrupt the flow, Tuesday's game will be played in far from normal circumstances. With temperatures also expected to top 28C (83F) in northern Austria, the result in Rohrbach should not be taken too seriously, or should it?
To strike, or not to strike?
Winston Reid's goalscoring heroics have some fans suggesting on social media that West Ham do not need to shell out £20m on a new striker – but simply push the big New Zealand defender into a forward role instead!
While Reidy was rightly proud of his calm and accurate finish against the Carolina RailHawks, and then bashed in an unstoppable free-kick in training, the truth is that the Hammers are still very much on the lookout for a prolific frontman. With Andy Carroll and new boy Ashley Fletcher of the taller, target-man variety, the Club is more than likely looking for a smaller, poacher-type. If you were Slaven Bilic, which player would you be seeking to sign?
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Access cards coming soon
WHUFC.com
Season Ticket Holders will shortly be receiving access cards for the historic first season at the Hammers' new Stratford home.
Welcome packs for the Club's 50,000 plus Season Ticket Holders are set to land from the week commencing Monday 25 July.
The access card itself is accompanied by all the information you will need for matchdays at London Stadium.
Access cards will first be in use for the Hammers' maiden Premier League showdown at London Stadium, the visit of Eddie Howe's Bournemouth on Sunday 21 August.
For both the UEFA Europa League fixture and the Betway Cup against Juventus, supporters will be issued with paper tickets. As well as being advantageous operationally, the Club hope supporters will appreciate having a physical memento of these landmark fixtures in West Ham history.
Enclosed with your access card, you will find a welcome letter from Vice-Chairman Karren Brady, together with the very latest travel information.
There are also details of the brand new ticket exchange and forwarding system in place for the new season, as well as a guide to the Stadium's features and your exclusive discounts.
The welcome pack is complete with a closer look at your brand new surroundings at London Stadium. The turnstiles will open two hours before kick-off and there will be great introductory deals on food and drink on offer.
The concourses are a celebration of all things West Ham and, with twice as many food and drink stands than at the Boleyn Ground and Europe's largest screens bringing you all the pre-match entertainment, there is every reason to arrive early.
Supporters are reminded that you can share your views on the Hammers' new home. Once the football is underway, we want you to tell us what is working well and where there is room for improvement. Please send us your comments and suggestions to foundersfeedback@westhamunited.co.uk.
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AC fired-up for full pre-season
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is feeling sharp and ready to feel benefits of a full pre-season
Striker scored nine Premier League goals in 13 starts last season
England international cannot wait for first game in London Stadium in UEFA Europa League
Andy Carroll is ready to build on his fine first half of 2016 as West Ham United begin life at the magnificent London Stadium.
Carroll scored an impressive nine goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season, putting an early-season injury behind him to feature in his highest total of top flight appearances since the 2011/12 campaign.
Now, with the prospect of a full pre-season ahead of him, the 27-year-old striker is focused on preparing for what he hopes will be a huge year for himself and his teammates.
"I can't wait [for the start of the season]," he told whufc.com. "It's been a long time since I had a pre-season, so I'm really looking forward to starting the new season and before that the Europa League game that's coming up.
"I felt strong at the end of last season. I was injured for a bit at the start, but I came back and felt good. I scored some goals, was involved in important games and just want to carry that on this year.
"I'm feeling good. Coming out to Austria and getting myself fit is important. I might miss a couple of games in pre-season just to keep myself fresh and not rush into things, but I'm looking forward to it."
The Hammers are currently on a ten-day training camp in Austria, with the majority of the first-team squad back together.
Carroll has been impressed with the Club's early transfer activity too, and is looking forward to linking up with his new colleagues on the pitch.
"We've got a fantastic team," he continued. "We played really well last season and were unlucky not to finish higher and go further in the cups than we did.
"It was great to come into such a strong squad and hopefully we can move on from that and get even better.
"It's always important to get new players in each season and freshen it up. Everyone has to fight for places again and I'm sure the lads are looking forward to it just as much as I am.
"In the first game against Seattle, I got a few crosses from Sofiane Feghouli. It was a great ball from him [for my goal] against the RailHawks and I just had to put it in.
"We can't wait for that first game in the new Stadium. It's going to be massive and a fantastic game for us, the fans and everyone. It'll be a tough one, but all the lads are looking forward to it."
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Big Sam for England, says Cresswell
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United full back Aaron Cresswell has paid credit to former manager Sam Allardyce - and believes he should be a shoo-in for the vacant England job. Cresswell, who is currently in Austria with the rest of West Ham's first team squad has backed Allardyce to succeed Roy Hodgson as national team manager. And the 26-year-old defender also praised Big Sam for helping him to improve as a footballer during the year or so they worked together at the club. "I've a lot to credit him for," Cresswell told The Guardian's Nick Ames. "He brought me to the club, and I can't speak any more highly of the year I worked under him. "He was fantastic with me personally and if you ask any of the other boys they'll say the same thing. His man-management skills were very good, top drawer, so I think if he does get the job he'll do very well. It's a good fit for England and we'll see if he gets it. "He had a fantastic coaching staff with him; you'd work on your weaknesses every day, trying to progress and improve as a player, and that's what I think I did."
The LIverpool-born Cresswell, who moved to West Ham from Ipswich two summers ago also admitted to being excited by the club's recent move to Stratford. "It's a really exciting time to be here," he added. "We can't wait to get started. "We've got the new stadium, a new training ground going up and the chairman's backing the manager. We're bringing good players in; we saw how well Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and the others did last season, and now we want to kick on again."
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OUR SEARCH FOR A STRIKER BY THE ARMCHAIR HAMMER
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 17 JULY 2016 AT 9:10PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
My nine year old son has been playing FIFA for a few years now. One of his favourite players in the game is Carlos Bacca. Why? Because on the game, he's labelled as C .Bacca. Now my son is a Star Wars fan, as well as a Hammer, and he loves to call him Chewbacca. When I mentioned to him that there were rumours that we may be buying him – he literally danced for joy. Ah, the innocence of youth.
Now that Bacca is stalling on signing a deal, I don't want to (terrible pun alert) burst his bubble and crush his dreams just yet – until we know the outcome of this saga. So I'm holding off from telling him anything until Ex gives us confirmation of a deal. Now this isn't the first time in this window that we've been heavily linked with some really good strikers. Lacazette and Batshuayi set the rumour mill alight before the Euro's and we all know what happened there.
A cynic would suggest that both of these players, or more probably their agents, were likely using us as a way to drive up interest from other clubs. Now, I seriously doubt that either player had any real interest in joining. Our ambition is high and the club is moving in a very positive direction under the stewardship of the joint-chairman. But the fact is, we are not yet playing in the Champions League and most of the high quality players we are being linked with want immediate access to Europe's premier competition.
The only way we are likely to get these types of players in to the club is by spending vast amounts of money on transfer fees and salaries.
Don't forget clubs around the world want to cash in on the vast riches on offer from Premiership teams this season with seemingly average players fees hugely inflated. Players agents are looking for obscenely high wages for their clients – and they will destroy our club's current wage structure. Our joint-chairman and indeed Lady Brady are working hard to get the club back on a solid financial footing after years of mis-management. Do we really want to go through those bleak years again?
Now this is where I go back to the Bacca situation. I'm sure the club could secure his signature if we paid him enough money, but is it worth it at the risk of losing our all-important team morale? Bear in mind, this team fights for each other. I'm no longer fearful of going a goal down – we can get back into games. Over the years, that hasn't always been the case – trust me. Personally, and I welcome your thoughts on this, I'd rather see players join that are as passionate and excited about joining us as we, the fans are about supporting out our team.
Don't forget, Payet wasn't seen as worldie when he joined us. Bilic has installed a belief in him and the team around him. We play to his obvious strengths. He, and indeed we, are reaping the benefits. The same could be said of Di Canio. He was seen as a maverick, a real punt at the time but we, the supporters, got behind him and earned his loyalty. What a player he turned out to be for us.
My point, you may be asking?
It's this.
You need a player in the Premiership that is going to show both quality and a desire to do well for their club. These two qualities aren't mutually exclusive. For a club with our level of ambition, I really think we need both. Just look at some of the fantastic signings we've had over the years who have failed to live up to their promise. We've had Javier Mascherano who didn't really get a kick, Davor Suker, Benni McCarthy, Kieron Dyer and Florin Raducioiu. The reason they flattered to deceive? They all wanted a big pay day or used us as a stepping stone.
So my hope is that we don't get held to ransom by greedy clubs or greedy players. Instead, we bring in players who are excited about playing in front of 60,000 passionate fans every week and will give us their heart and soul. In return, we'll give them a chant and plenty of adoration. Who could turn that down eh? So, whether Bacca is in or out is down to him. The important question is – will he turn out to be my son's ultimate footballing hero, or deal him the first crushing blow of his early life?
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to tell my boy about the rumour we're signing James Rodriguez……
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EXCLUSIVE! WEST HAM LADIES MANAGER LEAVES THE CLUB.
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 17 JULY 2016 AT 11:40PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
I have just received breaking news from our own ExWHUemployee that manager Marc Nurse has left the highly rated West Ham Ladies. This unexpected news comes just 6 days before the Ladies embark on their historic tour of Europe; where they will be facing the likes of Borussia Monchengladbach, as well as other huge European teams of the female footballing world!
Ex has informed me that Ladies player and pro-coach Karen Ray will take over as gaffer until a permanent manager is signed and sealed. Karen is well known for her hard working attitude, as well as her intelligence, no doubt about it, she knows her way around a Football pitch! However, on top of this, Ex has also informed me that the Ladies hope to announce their new boss on Wednesday, if all goes to plan!
It is vital for you to keep an eye on The West Ham Way website, as we will be the ones to exclusively reveal to you the new manager of the West Ham Ladies.
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18/07/16 (VERY VERY EARLY) LUNCHTIME NEWS ROUND-UP
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 18 JULY 2016 AT 10:05AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Apologies for a second very early release of the Lunchtime News Round-Up, but I have some personal matters to go about today. Yes, us writers have can have a life too!
Just so everyone knows, the news updates are only for weekdays, as I do not have the time at weekends to do them.
Valencia deals collapse?
According to the express, possible deals for Enner Valencia from Swansea and Lazio are on the verge of collapse, due to the Hammers £15 million asking price, which is seen as too much by the Welsh and Italian club. Enner Valencia has travelled with the squad to Austria for the pre-season tour. A sign Enner could be staying?
Ben Yedder bid submitted?
French publication GFFN are reporting that West Ham have submitted a bid for Toulouse striker Wissam Ben Yedder. The 25 year old averages an impressive one goal every 183 minutes. This, in my opinion, would be a fantastic signing.
James Rodriguez, is this the coup?
According to Marca, West Ham are lining up a club record bid of £67 million bid for Real Madrid, and Colombian superstar, James Rodriguez. Our very own ExWHUemployee has mention that the club are planning a snatch and grab shock deal, which would be an absolute coup. Is James the man? But, with a price-tag like that, I feel this story could be a little far fetched.
This may not have been the longest of my round-ups, but I think it's certainly been the most exciting of them all. Keep an eye on The West Ham Way site for my afternoon news-round up, and for all the latest news and opinion.
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18/07/16 AFTERNOON NEWS ROUND-UP!
BY MITCH FOYLE-YORK ON 18 JULY 2016 AT 3:09PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Calleri set to join…
According to numerous sources in South America, Argentinian forward Jonathan Calleri has finally decided he will be joining West Ham. Esporte are reporting that the deal will be announced within the next few days.
West Ham to hijack World-Class Striker?
Sport Mediaset are claiming that West Ham will try to hijack Mauro Icardi from London rivals Arsenal. Icardi is currently at Inter Milan, who have recently said they will not sell their captain. However, this might not stop the Hammers from lodging a £41 million bid for the forward.
Back to Bacca?
Bacca's agent has held a meeting with AC Milan's CEO Galliani, according to Sky Italia, where Bacca's agent was told Bacca must leave in the very near future, or he cannot move at all. Sky Italia are also reporting that, after this hammer blow to Bacca's plans (no pun intended), the Colombian is now seriously considering accepting Gold and Sullivan's offer.
After what was a very quite and frustrating week on the transfer front, things are suddenly heating up again; and, it seems, that all the news is positive. As always I urge our fans to be patient, if any of the news above is correct, a lot of people will be wiping egg off their face.
Keep an eye on The West Ham Way website, or twitter account, for all the latest news, views and insider columns from our very reliable ExWHUemployee.
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Calleri on the brink?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Argentine striker Jonathan Calleri is on the verge of completing a move to West Ham, says Brazilian media this morning. The 22-year-old striker has been on loan with Sao Paolo since January but is set to move to London after accepting an offer from West Ham to move to the Premier League, according to UOL Esporte. Calleri, who has also been strongly linked with La Liga outfit Seville - whom he was said to initially express an interest in joining - and Serie A's Inter is said to have rejected offers from those and other clubs interest in acquiring his services in order to join the Hammers. Currently registered to Deportivo Maldonado, who purchased the player's rights earlier this year, Calleri - who, like former Hammer Carlos Tevez also featured for Boca Juniors - is scheduled to represent his country next month at the Rio Olympics.
* In other transfer news this morning, West Ham are said to be vying with Leicester for the signature of Toulouse forward Wissam Ben Yedder. The 25-year-old former French under 21 international has spent the last six years with TFC for whom he has scored 62 goals in 150 appearances and was previously linked with Seville, although a June move fell through. Lyon and Roma, amongst others, have also been linked.
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Fans to face OS travel turmoil
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Essex-based West Ham fans attempting to attend home games at the Olympic Stadium in September, October and November are set to face a travel nightmare due to impending engineering works. The Liverpool Street line between London and Billericay will be closed at weekends between 16 September and 6 November due to essential works, which will have a major effect on supporters wishing to travel to home games by public transport. Although temporary bus services are being introduced, fans face extended journeys for at least four home matches - against Southampton (25 September), Middlesbrough (1 October), Sunderland (22 October) and Stoke City (5 November).
* In other travel news, it was announced at the weekend that Abellio Greater Anglia will be offering 50 per cent discounts to West Ham fans travelling to Stratford. Fans purchasing a new season ticket covering all 19 home Premier League games will be entitled to the sizeable discount; for further details, visit Abellio's website.
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Bacca deal revived as Milan call for resolution
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Milan are urging striker Carlos Bacca to reach a decision regarding a potential move to West Ham - because they need the money. According to Sky Sports Italia this lunchtime (Monday) Milan's serving vice-president Adriano Galliani has told Bacca's agent, Sergio Barila, to make a decision on West Ham's tabled offer sooner rather than later. And the driving force behind Galliani's directive is that Milan are unable to move in the transfer market until such time as Bacca's immediate future has been resolved. Although the 29-year-old Colombian international has expressed a preference to join a club that can offer him Champions League football, West Ham's offer - contrary to reports elsewhere - has not been rejected and remains on the table. Milan have already accepted an offer of €26million from West Ham for Bacca, whose representatives met with West Ham last week.
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Young Hammers reach Euro semis
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 18th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
Reece Oxford and Sam Howes are through to the semi finals of the Under 19s Euro finals after beating Croatia 2-1 this lunchtime.
Goals from Chelsea's Izzy Brown and (an own goa) by Croatia defender Silvio Anocic in today's Group B clash put Aidy Boothroyd's young Lions two up inside ten minutes at the Heidenheim Arena.
And although Nikola Moro halved the deficit just before the hour mark, Oxford and co. held on to book their place against Italy in this week's semi finals.
Although goalkeeper Howes had to watch the entire game from the bench, Oxford - who continues to be linked with a move elsewhere - played the full 90 minutes and looked assured throughout.
England Under 19s: Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United), Taylor Moore (RC Lens), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Reece Oxford (West Ham United), Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham), Josh Onomah (Tottenham), Ryan Ledson (Everton); Sheyi Ojo (Liverpool), Ademola Lookman (Charlton Athletic), 11 Izzy Brown (Chelsea).
Substitutes: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal) for Moore).
Subs not used: Jordan Rossiter (Glasgow Rangers), Sam Howes (West Ham United), Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Dominic Solanke (Chelsea), Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea).
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West Ham's Europa League home tie reversed
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 18/07/16 6:45pm
SSN
West Ham will play their first match at the Olympic Stadium on August 4 after UEFA agreed to reverse the home and away legs of their Europa League tie. The Hammers were due to host either Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or NK Domzale of Slovenia on July 28 after being drawn at home for the first leg. However, the timing of the first leg posed a major issue for West Ham, with their new home being used for the London Anniversary Games on July 22/23. It usually takes seven days to convert the stadium from athletics mode to football mode and would have therefore provided the club with an impossible task to ensure the stadium was ready for the match. West Ham held positive talks with both clubs following Friday's draw and gained their agreement to lodge an appeal to UEFA over a possible switch. On Monday, UEFA confirmed they had sanctioned West Ham's request and allowed them to delay the opening of their new 60,000-seater stadium by a week.
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Sofiane Feghouli wants to achieve 'great things' at West Ham
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 18/07/16 3:43pm
SSN
Sofiane Feghouli believes West Ham can achieve something special as they prepare for their first season at the Olympic Stadium. The Algeria winger, who joined the Hammers from Valencia in June, is preparing for his first taste of the Premier League and is currently away with the first-team squad on their pre-season tour of Austria. Feghouli is one of six new signings made by Slaven Bilic this summer, with the West Ham manager keen to strengthen his ranks ahead of the 2016/17 campaign, which will also include Europa League football. The 26-year-old has revealed the ambitious nature of the club lured him to east London and he is hoping to be part of a successful era at the Olympic Stadium. "The club is incredibly ambitious, and that was my main reason for coming here," Feghouli told the club's official website. "We will be doing all we can to be as competitive as possible in all of the competitions we are involved in. "I think with the team we have, the players that will be brought in during the transfer window, combined with our fans, then we can go on to achieve some great things together. "The stadium is magnificent and all the players are excited to play there for the first time in front of so many of our fantastic supporters. "We all feel privileged to have the opportunity to play in such an exceptional stadium."
West Ham will play their first match at their new home on August 4 against either Shakhtyor Soligorsk or Domzale in the Europa League, subject to UEFA approval. They have appealed to UEFA over switching the home and away legs around as the Olympic Stadium will be used for the London Anniversary Games on July 22/23. It usually takes seven days to convert the stadium from athletics mode to football and, with the first leg set to take place on July 28, West Ham have asked for the venue of the legs to be switched. They have held positive talks with both clubs and are now awaiting final confirmation from UEFA. West Ham's first Premier League match at the Olympic Stadium will be against Bournemouth on August 21, live on Sky Sports.
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Aaron Cresswell: 'Sam Allardyce works on your weaknesses every day'
The West Ham left-back was signed from Ipswich by Allardyce and says the 61-year-old would be a good fit as manager of England
The Guardian
Nick Ames
Monday 18 July 2016 17.38 BST Last modified on Monday 18 July 2016 19.34 BST
For West Ham United newness is everywhere. It is around eight months since Aaron Cresswell last visited the Olympic Stadium and now, seeing the club's livery dotted around for the first time, there is an early chance to feel at home. Cresswell has been promoting this season's kit – some things are more of a novelty than others – and is evidently engaged by his surroundings, pausing at one point to admire the community pitch that sits adjacent to the stands. A rare balmy evening glows with possibility; it must feel as if the left-back has returned to a different, bigger club.
"Yeah, it does and it's a really exciting time to be here," the 26-year-old says. "We can't wait to get started. We've got the new stadium, a new training ground [at Rush Green] going up and the chairman's backing the manager. We're bringing good players in; we saw how well Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and the others did last season and now we want to kick on again."
So far the close season has brought four major signings and two of them, Gökhan Töre and Ashley Fletcher, made their introductions to Cresswell just minutes before he paraded the shirt. Change has been constant recently and all of it positive; last month Cresswell proposed to Jessica, now his fiancée, in Dubai and the pair continued their celebrations in the Maldives. It was doubtless a happier place to be than England's Euro 2016 base in France and there were plenty who felt that, even with the national team's surfeit of options in his position, Cresswell should have spent his summer at Euro 2016. The smile, when this is raised, suggests it is far from the first time the thought and question have occurred but the answer gives little away.
"It was frustrating watching as a fan. It was hard because you want them to progress and do well," he says. "But it's a young squad and I'm sure there are good times ahead. Of course I'd want [to represent my country] one day and I'm hoping it happens but the focus for me is on West Ham. All I can do is play at my best here."
The opportunity may arise sooner than he expects. Should Sam Allardyce be named England manager it would be no surprise to see Cresswell, whom the then West Ham manager signed from Ipswich Town two years ago and has spoken of in glowing terms since, named in his first squad. Feelings between the two run both ways; the player is sure Allardyce, at Sunderland now, would be ideally suited to the role.
"I've a lot to credit him for," Cresswell says. "He brought me to the club and I can't speak any more highly of the year I worked under him. He was fantastic with me personally and, if you ask any of the other boys, they'll say the same thing. His man-management skills were very good, top drawer, so I think, if he does get the job, he'll do very well. It's a good fit for England and we'll see if he gets it. He had a fantastic coaching staff with him; you'd work on your weaknesses every day, trying to progress and improve as a player, and that's what I think I did."
That process continued last season under Slaven Bilic, who has been linked with England himself in rather more speculative terms, and Cresswell has seen other areas of his game develop. West Ham's more fluid approach was well documented and it certainly did little harm to Cresswell, whose forward combinations resemble peak-era Leighton Baines and whose left foot produced four assists. "He's been fantastic ever since he walked through the door," he says of Bilic. "The style is a bit different. Maybe it's a European thing that he brought into us, wanting us to move the ball and pass it more, with a bit more movement. For 90% of the games last season Dimi [Payet] played in front of me and that made it seem easy; when you're making that overlap you know the ball's going to come to you, or that something will be made of your run. When everything clicks together for us, it looks good."
They should be clicking for some time yet. Payet signed a new contract in February and Cresswell, in another forward step during this summer of advancement, has just agreed a one-year extension. Both deals run to 2021 and both men may, in the first instance, be tasked with hauling West Ham through the third qualifying round of the Europa League. Shakhtyor Soligorsk, of Belarus, or the Slovenian side Domzale may not hold great allure as a curtain-raiser for West Ham's new life but needs must and lessons have been learned from last year's defeat by Astra Giurgiu.
"Last season not many of us had played in the Europa League and it was definitely an experience travelling to Andorra, Malta and Romania, under difficult circumstances as well," he says. "This season we're starting slightly later and we're ready to try and go as far as we can."
They will be well supported in their new home and, although May's rollercoaster of a final game at Upton Park, a 3-2 win over Manchester United, was "something that will live with me for the rest of my life", the next step for West Ham and Cresswell will justify the means.
"To play in front of 60,000 people week in, week out, in the Europa League and Premier League – it's something you dream of," he says. "Let's hope we just hit the ground running now."
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Demba Ba leg break: West Ham send message of support to former striker after horror injury
SAM LONG
Evening Standard
West Ham have sent a message of support to their former striker Demba Ba after the Senegal forward suffered a career threatening injury. Ba currently plays for Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League and broke his leg in an innocuous challenge during Sunday's derby against Shanghai SIPG. The striker collided with an opponent before his left leg gave way as he fell to ground in agony and, according to his coach Gregorio Manzano, could be forced to retire from the professional game. Ba spent one season with the Hammers, which ended in the east Londoners' relegation to the Championship, and the club have wished the 31-year-old well in his recovery.
West Ham United FC ✔ @whufc_official
Everyone at West Ham United wishes former Hammer @dembabafoot a full and speedy recovery from injury ⚒
12:45 PM - 18 Jul 2016
A message on the club's official Twitter account read: "Everyone at West Ham United wishes former Hammer @dembabafoot a full and speedy recovery from injury." Ba also played for Newcastle United and Chelsea during his career in England before joining Besiktas in 2014. The forward scored 27 goals in 44 games for the Turkish side, which helped him secure a move to the Chinese Super League last summer.
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West Ham should make a move for French free agent Pied
hitc
Antony Martin
The Hammers need to strengthen their squad in defensive areas. West Ham United find themselves a little short in the right-back area following the sale of James Tomkins to Crystal Palace. The Hammers only have Sam Byram as a recognised right sided full-back, although Michail Antonio is capable of filling in if need be. Jeremy Pied is available on a free transfer after his contract expired at Ligue 1 side Nice and the 27-year-old would be a great signing for the East London club. He would provide ample cover for Byram in the right-back slot. His versatility also enables him to play on either flank as an accomplished winger, so he would be a fantastic all round addition to the squad. Pied made 33 league appearances last term for Nice. He played at right-back for 23 of those games, left-back for seven and defensive midfield for three which highlights his proficiency in different areas of the pitch. The fact that he is available on a free transfer greatly reduces the risk when bringing a foreign player to the Premier League. He will not be a regular starter but will provide experienced back-up, with enough pedigree to shine if called upon. A move to the Premier League would surely appeal to Pied, and the chance of playing Europa League football with the Hammers should be a big enough pull. Should any kind of move materialise, it would be one that would be greatly beneficial to both club and player.
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West Ham eye £41.8m striker after Bacca snub: Arsenal have meeting scheduled with star
WEST HAM are reportedly eyeing a move for Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi – also a target for Arsenal.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 11:53, Mon, Jul 18, 2016 | UPDATED: 12:10, Mon, Jul 18, 2016
Express.co.uk
The Hammers are said to have turned to Inter captain Icardi after being snubbed by AC Milan's Carlos Bacca. Italian broadcaster Sport Mediaset claim West Ham were rejected by Bacca, who would prefer a move to a Champions League club.. And bosses at the Olympic Stadium are said to have switched their focus to Icardi. According to the report, Icardi is not for sale unless a club meet Inter owner Erik Thohir's €50million (£41.8m) valuation. Sky Sport Italia claimed on Sunday that Arsenal have scheduled a meeting to begin preliminary negotiations over Icardi's transfer. The Gunners are yet to sign a striker this summer after failing to convince England's Jamie Vardy to leave Leicester before Euro 2016. West Ham also missed out on Belgium international Michy Batshuayi - who has joined Chelsea - before hearing of Bacca's apparent snub. Co-owner David Sullivan has pledged at least £30m towards a new striker for manager Slaven Bilic, who is tipped to sell Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia before the transfer window closes on August 31. As for Icardi, his wife and agent Wanda Nara has made it clear that the Argentina international feels undervalued at the San Siro. Icardi signed a contract extension with the Milan club last summer but is believed to be paid a fraction of what he could earn in the Premier League. "A year ago Icardi was worth €20m (£14m) to Inter," Nara told Italian website calciomercato.com last week. "They refused [to sell him], and I refused many offers. "Mauro was assured of a contract extension as soon as the club's financial troubles had been resolved, although that same summer the club had invested money in some very expensive footballers. "Icardi has never had a problem with waiting, provided everything goes as agreed." Both Chelsea and Tottenham have also been linked with the striker.
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West Ham FC transfer report: Slaven Bilic turns attention to £10m-rated Toulouse star in striker search
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Monday, July 18, 2016
West Ham are ready to turn to Toulouse star Wissam Ben Yedder as they continue their search for a new striker. The Hammers are desperate to land a forward this summer and the club have already failed with a number of approaches for different targets. Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette turned down an offer from them in June, while a deal for AC Milan hitman Carlos Bacca has stalled. And now, according to RMC, the Hammers are ready to make a move for Ben Yedder instead. The 25-year-old, who bagged 23 goals last season, is available for around £10m and several other clubs are interested too. Leicester City are keeping tabs on the Frenchman, while Lazio and Real Betis are also willing to meet Ben Yedder's asking price.
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West Ham and Leicester in contention for Toulouse's Wissam Ben Yedder
• West Ham fail to make breakthrough in talks for Milan's Carlos Bacca
• Former France under-21 striker scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season
The Guardian
Ed Aarons
@ed_aarons
Monday 18 July 2016 10.01 BST Last modified on Monday 18 July 2016 10.03 BST
West Ham's long search for a striker has seen them make a new approach for Toulouse's Wissam Ben Yedder, although they face competition from Leicester for the former France under-21 international. Having failed with bids for Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Christian Benteke, West Ham had hoped to convince Colombia striker Carlos Bacca to move to east London after having a £26m bid accepted by Milan. However, negotiations with the 29-year-old's representatives have failed to reach a breakthrough and Bacca appeared to rule out any potential transfer to Slaven Bilic's side over the weekend when he admitted he wants to play in the Champions League, with Atlético Madrid, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain among the other clubs interested.
That has led West Ham to sound out Ben Yedder's representative Meïssa N'Diaye once again after they made an initial approach in January, with the 25-year-old thought to be available for around €10m (£8.3m) because he has just one year left on his contract with Toulouse. Leicester have also registered their interest in a player who scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season despite his club only just avoiding relegation, with Claudio Ranieri keen to strengthen his forward options ahead of the new season. N'Diaye refused to comment when contacted by the Guardian on Monday.
Ben Yedder came to close to joining Sevilla in June before new coach Jorge Sampaoli decided against completing the deal but they retain an interest and he is also wanted by Roma and Lyon. Crystal Palace have also scouted him in the past.
On Sunday, Toulouse coach Pascal Dupraz appeared to invite any suitors to make their interest known, with the club hoping to complete a deal in the next week. "I am astonished that French clubs, including the largest, are not interested in him. In France, it is rare for a player to be able to do what he does in the area," he told French radio station RMC.
Born in Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris where Leicester's Riyad Mahrez also grew up, Ben Yedder moved to Toupuse from amateur side UJA Alfortville in 2010 and has since scored 63 goals in 153 appearances.
Any potential move for Ben Yedder could allow West Ham to sell Enner Valencia, with Lazio and Swansea both linked to the Ecuador striker. Diafra Sakho is also wanted by Sunderland, although reports over the weekend claimed the Senegal striker had refused to travel to the team's pre-season training camp in Austria having submitted a transfer request earlier this month.
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West Ham negotiating over Enner Valencia deal: Lazio and Swansea unwilling to meet demands
WEST HAM are without a buyer for Enner Valencia as suitors struggle to meet the club's demands for the Ecuador forward.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 07:08, Mon, Jul 18, 2016 | UPDATED: 07:17, Mon, Jul 18, 2016
Express.co.uk
Valencia, 26, is available this summer after a disappointing second season in east London. Lazio are thought to be interested in his signature but face competition from Premier League side Swansea. And West Ham are said to have already rejected an offer from Lazio. That is according to the Sunday Mirror, who claim West Ham want £15m for the player they signed for £12m two summers ago. Lazio want to replace veteran Miroslav Klose but West Ham snubbed an opening £2.5m loan offer with an additional £8m if Valencia plays over half their matches in the coming season. The two clubs are said to be still negotiating despite the initial bid being rejected. Swansea, meanwhile, have reportedly made a £10m offer plus £3m in bonuses for Valencia, who played just 19 games for the Hammers last season. But West Ham believe they can hold out for more before the transfer window shuts on August 31.
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West Ham turn to Wissam Ben Yedder after Bacca snub, new approach submitted
HITC
Olly Dawes
West Ham United are reportedly keen on Toulouse hitman Wissam Ben Yedder. According to Get French Football News, West Ham United have made a new approach for Toulouse hitman Wissam Ben Yedder, with their move for Carlos Bacca falling apart. Whilst the Hammers have snapped up midfielder Havard Nordtveit as well as wingers Sofiane Feghouli and Gokhan Tore, it's been no secret that a new first-choice striker has been top of Slaven Bilic's wish list. Manchester United youngster Ashley Fletcher has been snapped up, but he's one for the future, and a host of big name strikers have been linked with moves to the Olympic Stadium this summer. In fact, Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport report that AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca has rejected West Ham after weeks of speculation, leaving Bilic's men to look elsewhere for a new goalscorer. Now, Get French Football News report that the Hammers have made a new approach to sign Toulouse forward Wissam Ben Yedder, who has starred in France over the last four seasons. Ben Yedder, 25, is a former futsal and amateur player who has risen to stardom with Toulouse, hitting 17 league goals last season to add to a superb 45 goals in the previous three campaigns. The Frenchman has recently seen a move to Sevilla fall through, and it's claimed that West Ham have now submitted a new move for the player as they look to move on from Bacca's snub. A diminutive, skillful forward, Ben Yedder is massively underrated and could be a shrewd move for West Ham after missing out on Colombian star Bacca - and with Toulouse allegedly expecting a decision on Ben Yedder's future in ten days, West Ham could land the striker in plenty of time for the start of the season.
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Tuesday, July 19
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