Andre Ayew targets opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win
WHUFC.com
Andre Ayew wants to take his late-season form for West Ham United into
Ghana's opening 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier this weekend.
The Black Stars forward ended 2016/17 with five goals and three assists in
the Hammers' closing 13 Premier League fixtures, including the winner in the
final-day victory at Burnley. Now, the vastly-experienced 27-year-old, wants
to add to his 14 international goals when Ghana take on Ethiopia in their
Group F tie in Kumasi on Sunday afternoon.
Ghana finished fourth in the 2017 tournament, which was held in Gabon
earlier this year, with Ayew scoring two goals, but the No20 wants to do
even better at the 2019 finals in Cameroon. Ghana will also face Kenya and
Sierra Leone in their qualifying group.
Having started their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a draw
with Uganda and defeat in Egypt, Ayew wants Ghana to return to winning ways
as they seek qualification for their continent's own major tournament.
"It will be very important to start the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign
on a winning note," he confirmed. "We have a goal which is qualifying for
the 2019 AFCON and we must start by getting good results here and we know
the bad results we had against Uganda made our World Cup campaign a
difficult one.
"That is not yet over, but we have put that on the sideline now and think
about the Africa Cup of Nations. Now thinking about the game against
Ethiopia where we want all three points and we're going to work towards
that.
"We can't sit here and say we want to win the Africa Cup of Nations if we
have not qualified, so we need to do our job and qualify. It's going to be
very tough and very difficult, but Ghana is a team which has to win
trophies.
"Now until then is a long time, so we don't want to predict anything, but
that's the goal we are working towards, going to Cameroon and doing
something great. But before that, we have to pass Kenya, Ethopia and Sierra
Leone, so we have a lot of games."
Following their Group F opener, Ghana travel to North America for friendly
internationals with Mexico and the United States before recommencing their
stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign.
Ayew and company host Congo on 28 August before travelling to face the same
opposition on 2 September, and the West Ham man knows two victories are
vital against their pointless opponents.
"Nothing is impossible but we can say that it's close to an impossible
mission!" he smiled. "People who know me know that I never give up and in
one game everything can change.
"So, we have to stay calm and put everything in the hands of the almighty
Allah, but also in our legs, because we have a lot of work to do if we want
to go to Russia. We have to win all four games and I expect Egypt to lose a
game or draw two. So we're going to wait and see, but every game for us is a
must-win."
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Dan Kemp previews Toulon Tournament semi-final against Scotland
WHUFC.com
Dan Kemp hopes to draw on his knockout fixture experience when England U20s
face Scotland in the semi-finals of the Toulon Tournament.
Kemp was part of the Hammers U23 side that won both knockout games in the
Premier League 2 Division 2 play-offs to win promotion last month. Since
winning promotion for West Ham PL2, Kemp has played a key role for England
in France, helping them make it through to the semi-finals. A mouthwatering
clash against their close rivals Scotland awaits on Thursday (4pm BST) and
Kemp hopes his knockout experience will prove helpful. "I think it (knockout
football experience) will help me a little bit because I have played in some
big games before," he said. "But this will be one of the biggest, if not the
biggest game I would have been involved in. "I love and enjoy playing in the
big games because I know that this is where I can learn and show people what
I can do."
England made it through to the semi-finals in Toulon after achieving a 100%
record in Group A. Kemp featured in their opening match against Angola when
a solitary header from Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo was enough to give them a
1-0 victory. England then thrashed Cuba 7-1 to qualify for the knockout
phase before edging out Japan 2-1 in their final group match to maintain
their winning record. Kemp was involved in the first of England's two goals
after being fouled in penalty area – Sheffield Wednesday's George Hirst
scored the spot-kick to set the Young Lions on their way. Meanwhile,
Scotland only made it into the knockout phase as the best second-placed team
from the group stage, but Kemp is well aware of the threat they pose. "I'm
very excited and I cannot wait for the game," he added. "It will be a good
test against Scotland but we are all looking forward to it. These are the
games you want to play in. "It (the rivalry) definitely adds some importance
to the game but it also give you extra incentive to push the extra bit to
get the win. The win is all that matters."
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West Ham United's all-time most-capped international XI
WHUFC.com
While West Ham United's season may be over, a host of first-team stars are
away representing their countries on international duty.
From Wales wing half William Jones in 1901 to Portugal centre-back Jose
Fonte earlier this year, some 156 Hammers have pulled on the jerseys of
their respective nations.
To mark the current busy schedule of FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of
Nations qualifiers, FIFA Confederations Cup and friendly matches, we delved
deep into the record books to select a team of players who earned the most
caps during their time in east London. The resulting XI may surprise you…
Goalkeeper: Craig Forrest
Country: Canada
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 23
Craig Forrest had already been a Canada international for nine years when he
joined the Hammers from Ipswich Town in 1998.
The athletic British Colombia-born stopper excelled for his country during
his five years with West Ham United, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the
Most Valuable Player and Canadian International Player of the Year awards in
2000, before appearing at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Right-back: Rigobert Song
Country: Cameroon
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 22
Another experienced campaigner, Rigobert Song made his Cameroon debut at the
age of 17 back in 1993 – before he had even played a first-team game for
French club Metz! Song appeared at two FIFA World Cup and three Africa Cup
of Nations finals – winning one – before joining West Ham United from
Liverpool in 2000. The versatile defender played three times at the 2002
FIFA World Cup finals in Japan before joining French side RC Lens later that
summer.
Left-back: Jonathan Spector
Country: United States
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 34
Fresh-faced defender Jonathan Spector joined West Ham United from Manchester
United as a 20-year-old in summer 2006 – nearly two years after he had made
his United States debut against Jamaica. Spector enjoyed international
success while with the Hammers, winning the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup on home
turf before helping the Americans to the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup final
and travelling to the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, both in South Africa.
Centre-back: Bobby Moore
Country: England
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 108
England's greatest-ever captain marshaled the Three Lions defence for more
than a decade, earning a then-record 108 caps between May 1962 and November
1973. As every West Ham United fan will tell you, Moore led his country to
FIFA World Cup glory in 1966, to the UEFA European Championship semi-finals
in 1968 and the knockout stages at Mexico 1970.
Centre-back: James Collins
Country: Wales
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 39
Still plying his trade in Claret and Blue at the age of 33, James Collins
has earned 39 of his 51 Wales caps during his ten seasons with West Ham
United. Newport-born Ginge debuted for Wales against Norway in 2004 and has
featured at least once in every calendar year since then, culminating in the
fabulous run to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016.
Right midfield: Steve Lomas
Country: Northern Ireland
Centre-back: Bobby Moore
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 27
Born in Germany to the family of a British serviceman before being raised in
the town of Coleraine, Steve Lomas made his Northern Ireland debut against
Liechtenstein while a Manchester City player in April 1994. The combative
midfielder and captain moved to east London three years later and continued
to be picked regularly for his country for the next six seasons, taking his
caps total to 45.
Central midfield: Christian Dailly
Country: Scotland
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 39
Just eight players have been capped more times by Scotland than Christian
Dailly, who earned 67 pieces of headwear to cover his curly hair between
1997 and 2008. After debuting and appearing at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
finals while a Derby County player, Dailly spent two seasons with Blackburn
Rovers before earning more than half his caps during his seven seasons in
Claret and Blue.
Central midfield: Martin Peters
Country: England
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 33
The second of three 1966 FIFA World Cup winners in this XI, Martin Peters
forced his way into Alf Ramsey's side just weeks before the tournament
began, at the age of just 22. A versatile performer who earned rave reviews
from teammates and managers alike, Peters earned 33 of his 67 caps between
1966 and 1970, when he joined Tottenham Hotspur and then added the remaining
34.
Left midfield: Trevor Brooking
Country: England
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 47
The first of two team members to earn all of his international caps while
with West Ham United, Trevor Brooking's talents saw him debut against
Portugal in 1974. He remained a regular member of the England squad for the
next eight years, appearing at UEFA Euro 1980 in Italy and the 1982 FIFA
World Cup finals in Spain.
Forward: Enner Valencia
Country: Ecuador
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 23
The second member of the side still playing for West Ham United, Enner
Valencia joined the Hammers after excelling for Ecuador at the 2014 FIFA
World Cup finals. Prior to that tournament, the forward netted in a friendly
against England, and since arriving in east London he has continued to be
capped – and score – regularly for his country, appearing at the 2015 and
2016 Copa America tournaments.
Forward: Geoff Hurst
Country: England
Caps awarded while at West Ham United: 49
Last but by no means least, Geoff Hurst is the second player to have earned
all of his caps while a Hammer – 49 in total between 1966 and 1972. The 1966
FIFA World Cup fina l hat-trick hero scored 24 goals for his country and
also appeared at UEFA Euro 1968 and Mexico 1970, netting against the Soviet
Union and Romania respectively.
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Robert Snodgrass - Beat England and Scotland can qualify for the World Cup
WHUFC.com
West Ham United winger Robert Snodgrass is out to make himself an unpopular
figure among the Claret and Blue Army this weekend. The Hammers wideman is
set to start for his country when Scotland host England in a vital 2018 FIFA
World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park on Saturday evening. The Scots need to
win the Group F tie to give themselves any real hope of reaching Russia and,
despite having beaten England just once in their last ten meetings with the
Auld Enemy dating back to 1985, Snodgrass insists the Tartan Army will rise
to the challenge. "I have never ever had that sort of feeling [of
inferiority] since I went down to England," the No11 told The Scottish Sun.
"I have always had that drive inside my stomach, that burning feeling to get
the success you want to achieve as an individual, and to keep hitting
targets. "I want to keep driving forward, and I have never had the feeling
of being feart of this player or that player. I look forward to it more than
anything." "You can sit and say 'That's Scottish fitba', if we go and beat
them. So there is that to consider, but there are loads of different things
about this match. "On the day, it will be about which team wants it the
most. It will be about which team has that desire to get on the ball and
make things happen."
England won the reverse fixture at Wembley 3-0 before Christmas, with
Snodgrass missing the Scots' best chance of the game with his side just a
single goal down. While that result might have been a big blow to Scotland's
hopes of reaching a first World Cup since 1998, they go into Saturday's
mouth-watering Glasgow showdown on the back of a morale-boosting 1-0 win
over Slovenia in their last qualifier. The Hammers star has challenged his
compatriots to repeat that performance and result when they take on Aaron
Cresswell and company in his home city. "We all knew after the last game
against Slovenia that was more like the Scotland we all want to see," he
confirmed. "There was no fear and there is nothing to be scared of on
Saturday. "We have good players playing at a good level, so let's go out and
express ourselves."
Victory over their neighbours would close Scotland's deficit to England to
just three points, with four qualification matches still to play. While it
looked very unlikely a few months ago, Snodgrass insists a win this weekend
would give Gordon Strachan's side a real chance of overhauling England and
topping the group. "It would give everyone the belief again that we are
serious contenders," said the midfielder, who scored a hat-trick in a win
over Malta earlier in the current qualification campaign. "We need to focus
on group position, and we need to get the win for that reason. It is all
about qualifying. "That was our objective at the start. It wasn't to just
fight for second place. "You saw against England we had a lot of chances,
and if we didn't believe we would never have got those chances. "We have
always believed that we could go for automatic qualification in this group.
But when you take hits and have to take a step back, you then need to try
and take two forward. "We want to get there automatically, we want to beat
England and kick on."
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The day West Ham United braved the bombs to win at Wembley
WHUFC.com
While the Football League may have been suspended just three games into the
1939/40 season due to the onset of the Second World War, West Ham United
continued to compete throughout the conflict-torn decade. Just as had
occurred during the First World War 25 years earlier, a regional War-Time
league competition was introduced, with the divisions and their make-up
fluctuating from season to season.
Every football club in the land sent men to fight for their country and West
Ham were no different, with no fewer than 41 players swapping their football
kit for military uniform. The FA Cup was also suspended for the duration of
the War, with the Football League War Cup being introduced in its place, and
it was in this competition that the Hammers enjoyed a unforgettable day in
the Club's history.
The final was played on 8 June 1940 at Wembley Stadium at 6.30pm - before
the night-time blackout - despite fears that London would be bombed that
evening by the Luftwaffe, West Ham defeated Blackburn Rovers 1-0 through a
34th-minute goal from Sam Small. Amazingly, a crowd of 42,300 bravely turned
out to see Charlie Paynter's Hammers presented with the trophy by A.V.
Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty.
As a further reminder that the country was at war, the crowd included
wounded members of the British Expeditionary Force recently evacuated from
Dunkirk in northern France, while a number of players headed straight back
to their service units after the game.
West Ham United's War Cup final-winning team
Herman Conway
Charlie Bicknell (capt.)
Charlie Walker
Ted Fenton
Dick Walker
Joe Cockroft
Sam Small
Archie Macauley
Alec George Foreman
Len Goulden
Stan Foxall
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When do Premier League clubs return for pre-season?
Last Updated: 07/06/17 2:12pm
SSN
The Premier League season may have just ended, but clubs are already
preparing for pre-season. We look at when are each team will be back in
training...
Arsenal - July 3
The Gunners officially return to pre-season training on July 3, but players
are expected to come back in groups due to international fixtures. Arsene
Wenger also confirmed that he would be staying at the club for another two
years on Wednesday May 31, meaning there will be no worry over who will be
at the helm when the players return - including new signing Sead Kolasinac
from Schalke. The FA Cup holders then jet off around the world for their
pre-season friendlies, heading to Sydney and Beijing - where they will take
part in the International Champions Cup - before competing in the Emirates
Cup on home turf.
Bournemouth - July 1
The Cherries return to pre-season action on July 1 as they look to maintain
their Premier League status for a third consecutive season.
Eddie Howe's men have one friendly slated so far against QPR, heading to
Loftus Road on July 29 for a game which is being played to commemorate Rs
legend Stan Bowles.
Brighton - June 29
One of the earliest returners are promoted Brighton, who will be back at the
American Express Elite Football Performance Centre on June 29. The Seagulls
will be playing their first season in the Premier League having previously
had four seasons in the old Division One, and are mostly staying in the UK
for their friendlies. They travel to Crawley Town on July 22 in their first
fixture which culminates in a showpiece match against Atletico Madrid at the
Amex Stadium in August 6, one week before their opening league match.
Burnley - July 5
Burnley welcome back their players on July 5 and their extensive pre-season
schedule starts with a week-long training camp in the Republic of Ireland as
well as a first friendly against Shamrock Rovers on July 14. Trips to
Nottingham Forest and Preston follow among others, including two
as-yet-unconfirmed home fixtures, before the August 12 opener in the Premier
League. Speaking about pre-season, manager Sean Dyche told the club's
website: "Pre-season is a long period, so I think it's good to get the lads
away, and in that more confined environment where everyone is together for
five or six days to allow us to get that bonding done, as well as the
physical, tactical and technical work."
Chelsea - July 3
The Premier League champions begin their preparations for a title defence on
July 3, although this is also expected to be affected by international
duties. Chelsea will also be playing their pre-season friendlies across the
globe with a game scheduled against Arsenal at the Bird's Nest in Beijing
before two matches in Singapore when they compete in the International
Champions Cup. Their first competitive fixture will be on the opening day of
the Premier League season, with their Champions League campaign getting
underway in September.
Crystal Palace - TBC
Crystal Palace are yet to confirm a date, but do say it will be at the
beginning of July and will release a specific day when they have appointed a
new manager. The Eagles will take part in the Premier League Asia Trophy,
shown live on Sky Sports, where they will play Liverpool and either
Leicester or West Brom on July 19 and 22 in Hong Kong.
Everton - July 3
Ronald Koeman will have his squad back in training on July 3 as they look
towards a busy season that will include the third round of Europa League
qualification on July 27. However, some players could return after the
allocated date after international commitments, with manager Ronald Koeman
telling the Liverpool Echo: "I believe the players need at least three weeks
of holiday and maybe I will decide several players come back even later than
that date." The Toffees will also become the first Premier League side to
play in Tanzania for a pre-season fixture on July 13 and will also host
Sevilla on August 6.
Huddersfield - July 5
Play-off winners Huddersfield will start preparing for life in the Premier
League for the first time on July 5 when the players return to their
training ground, the Canalside Sports Complex. It remains to be seen if loan
players that helped them to promotion like Aaron Mooy, Izzy Brown and Danny
Ward will be in the squad with David Wagner saying after the Wembley
victory: "I think I have a lot of calls to do." The Terriers are yet to
announce their pre-season friendlies.
Leicester - July 3
Craig Shakespeare is yet to be confirmed as Leicester's boss, though he will
be expected to take charge of the Foxes going into next season after
impressing as interim boss at the King Power. The players will return to
training on July 3 before travelling to the Far East to take part in the
Premier League Asia Trophy. They face West Brom in Hong Kong (July 19),
while a second match in Asia will be followed by a number of friendlies back
home. Visits to Luton, MK Dons, Wolves and Burton are all in the pipeline.
Liverpool - first week of July
Jurgen Klopp's side ended the season with a friendly Down Under against
Sydney FC - which also featured Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher - and are
set to return to pre-season training in the first week of July. The Reds
travel to the Far East for the Premier League Asia Trophy, where they will
first face Crystal Palace (July 19) in Hong Kong. Liverpool will also play
Hertha Berlin (July 29) at the Olympiastadion before heading to Dublin to
take on Athletic Bilbao (August 5).
Manchester City - July 10
City have provisionally set a July 10 date for the squad to return to
training, though they will soon jet off to the United States to feature in
the International Champions Cup. Pep Guardiola's side will take on city
rivals Manchester United in Houston (July 20), before facing Real Madrid in
LA (July 26) and Tottenham in Nashville (July 29).
Manchester United - TBC
After ending the 2016/17 season with the Europa League glory, and the
guarantee of a Champions League spot to boot, Jose Mourinho's side return to
Carrington in the first few weeks of July - although the players will be
arriving at different times, depending on international commitments. United
take on LA Galaxy (July 15) and Real Salt Lake (July 17) before playing Man
City (July 20) in Houston. Friendlies against Real Madrid (July 23) and
Barcelona (July 26) follow, before they return to Europe to play Valerenga
IF (July 30) in Oslo and Sampdoria (August 2) in Dublin.
Newcastle - July 3
Sky Bet Championship winners Newcastle are back in the big time after just
one season away, and are heading back to training on July 3.
Rafa Benitez's side are yet to finalise pre-season plans in terms of
friendlies.
Southampton - TBC
Southampton are yet to confirm when their players will be returning for
pre-season training, with the future of manager Claude Puel still in doubt.
Southampton also have just one friendly match confirmed so far, as they
attempt to build on their eighth-place finish in the league last season.
They travel to Brentford on July 22.
Stoke - July 5
The Potters get their pre-season preparations underway on July 5 as they
look to improve on their 13th place finish from last season.
Stoke then travel to Switzerland to participate in the Uhrencup with matches
in the UK against Sheffield United, Bolton and Crewe Alexandra also on the
cards.
Swansea - July 3
After surviving the drop by the skin of their teeth last term, Paul Clement
will begin his first full pre-season at Swansea on July 3 when the players
return to training. It's then a hop across the pond for the Welsh side as
they play three friendlies against American opponents during a 10-day
pre-season camp and a fourth friendly against Birmingham City to be played
at St Andrew's on July 29.
Speaking about the USA tour, Swans vice-chairman Leigh Dineen told the
club's website: "The tour is not only designed to provide Paul Clement with
the best environment to prepare the squad for the new campaign, but it also
gives Swans fans at home and in the States the opportunity to plan potential
trips well in advance.''
Tottenham - July 3
Mauricio Pochettino's side are another who have earmarked July 3 as a return
date for their players, but with international fixtures coming up, they will
return at different times. Tottenham are heading to the USA for their
pre-season tour, playing games in Florida, New Jersey and Tennessee as they
compete in the International Champions Cup before returning to the UK for
the start of the Premier League season. "We are delighted to be taking part
in the International Champions Cup this summer - a competition that will
provide our players with ideal preparation for the season ahead and give our
passionate US fanbase a unique chance of seeing the team test themselves
against top European opposition in their home country," Spurs chairman
Daniel Levy told the club's official website.
Watford - TBC
Watford are yet to confirm when new Hornets boss Marco Silva will welcome
his players back to training, but the Portuguese boss will be busy this
summer after taking over from Walter Mazzarri, who was sacked after one
season in charge. Watford head to Woking (July 8) and AFC Wimbledon (July
15) for pre-season friendlies before hosting Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on
July 29.
West Brom - July 3
The Baggies are back in training on July 3, and will be looking to get their
form back on track after failing to win any of their last nine Premier
League games at the end of the previous campaign. Tony Pulis' side will be
jetting to Hong Kong to take part in the Premier League Asia Trophy, live on
Sky Sports, along with Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Leicester and also have
a host of domestic fixtures including games against Burton and Bristol
Rovers.
West Ham - July 5
West Ham return to pre-season training on July 5, although the club are yet
to announce any friendly matches. However, they are expected to mostly be
playing away games as the London Stadium will host the World Para-Athletics
Championships and World Championships in Athletics at the end of July and
the start of August respectively.
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Robert Snodgrass reveals that he will stay at West Ham after 'difficult'
start to Hammers career
The midfielder has struggled since his move from Hull City
Football London
BYROB GUEST
15:00, 8 JUN 2017
Robert Snodgrass has revealed he will stay at West Ham next season after
holding talks with manager Slaven Bilic. Snodgrass struggled in east London
following his move from Hull City but he has said he is committed to the
club despite rumours of a potential transfer.
The Scotland international failed to score in his 15 appearances for the
Hammers after netting nine goals for the Tigers prior to his £10.2million
transfer. The 29-year-old admits he struggled without his family in London
last season, as well as trying to fill Dmitri Payet's boots. "It's not easy
moving to a new club in the middle of the season but I chose to join West
Ham above other teams because of their great tradition and fanbase and I'm
determined to make it a success," said Snodgrass. "There were some factors
that made things difficult last season. I was living away from my family
because we didn't want to interrupt schooling but next season I'll have my
wife and three kids with me. "I was also asked to play on the left to fill
the gap vacated by Dmitri Payet but it's never been my position. I've scored
nearly a hundred goals as a mainly right-sided player and I've said to the
manager that's where I think I'm most effective. "We've had a very good
discussion and hopefully I'll be given a run of games where I'm comfortable.
If it doesn't happen right away, I will have to wait for my chance. "I'm
really looking forward to meeting up with the West Ham boys for pre-season
and starting again."
Snodgrass is now looking to hit top form once the new season gets underway
after a difficult start to life in a claret and blue shirt.
After playing on the right in the final game of the season at Burnley, the
Scotsman is hoping to take that performance into the new campaign. "I scored
nine goals for Hull and a hat-trick for Scotland in the first half of the
season, you don't do that and then become an average player overnight, so I
know I can contribute to West Ham," added Snodgrass. "I was heartened by
playing on the right for the final game against Burnley which we won. It
gave me a bit of confidence and I want to take that momentum into the new
season. I don't know where the stories have come about moving on. I am
committed to West Ham."
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WEST HAM INTERESTED IN BARCELONA STAR MUNIR EL HADDADI
ABDULLAH MULLA @AbzMulla6
ReadWestHam
West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Southampton are interested in signing
highly-rated Barcelona forward Munir El Haddadi as the youngster looks
surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Barcelona are ready to sell Munir, who spent this season on loan at fellow
La Liga club Valencia. The Catalan club are willing to listen to offers of
around £10 million and it is understood that West Ham are considering a bid.
Munir scored seven times in all competitions for Valencia this season and
the report states the La Liga club have been given the option to sign him
permanently but are unlikely to take the Catalan side up on it. Hammers boss
Slaven Bilic is looking to add firepower up front and with the anticipated
departure of Enner Valencia imminent, Munir could be the perfect
replacement. The Spanish forward first broke into the Barcelona squad in the
2014/15 season and managed to score six goals in 26 appearances. He then
fell out of favour and didn't manage to get enough game time which
ultimately led to his loan move to Valencia this season, where he was
impressive.
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BESIKTAS LINING UP A MOVE FOR ENNER VALENCIA
ABDULLAH MULLA @AbzMulla6
ReadWestHam
West Ham United striker Enner Valencia is set to leave the London club, with
Turkish Champions Besiktas lining up a move for the out of favour forward,
according to a report on Football London. Reports in Turkey are suggesting
that the 27-year-old could be playing Champions League football with
Besiktas next season as the Istanbul-based club look to add firepower to
their frontline. Valencia spent this season on loan at fellow Premier League
club Everton but failed to make a lasting impression as Ronald Koeman
rejected the chance to sign him permanently for the Merseyside club. The
Toffees had an option of signing Valencia for £11m, but Koeman turned down
the deal. He scored three times for the Merseyside club this season in the
Premier League in 21 appearances. Valencia still has two years remaining on
his West Ham contract but it seems he has failed to impress Hammers boss
Slaven Bilic, as the manager looks set to cash in on the Ecuadorian forward.
The Hammers had huge problems in finding the back of the net this season and
Bilic is looking to strengthen his attack in this summer's transfer window.
It is highly likely that Valencia will be joined by Diafra Sakho through the
exit door.
Mexican side Cruz Azul and former club Pachuca have also shown interest in
Valencia but it is thought that Besiktas are leading the line for his
signature.
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Robert Snodgrass commits to West Ham despite tough start to Hammers life and
interest from Brighton: 'I'm determined to make it a success'
West Ham signed Robert Snodgrass for £10.2million from Hull in January
The midfielder has only made 15 appearances, eight as a substitute
Brighton are interested in the Scot but he has pledged himself to the
Hammers
By Joe Bernstein for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 12:24, 8 June 2017 | UPDATED: 12:25, 8 June 2017
Scotland midfielder Robert Snodgrass will remain at West Ham next season
after discussions with manager Slaven Bilic. Snodgrass, in Gordon Strachan's
squad to face England on Saturday, failed to score for the Hammers following
a £10.2million move from Hull City in January but has reaffirmed his
commitment despite interest from Premier League new boys Brighton. 'It's not
easy moving to a new club in the middle of the season but I chose to join
West Ham above other teams because of their great tradition and fanbase and
I'm determined to make it a success,' said 29-year-old Snodgrass. 'There
were some factors that made things difficult last season. I was living away
from my family because we didn't want to interrupt schooling but next season
I'll have my wife and three kids with me.
'I was also asked to play on the left to fill the gap vacated by Dmitri
Payet but it's never been my position. I've scored nearly a hundred goals as
a mainly right-sided player and I've said to the manager that's where I
think I'm most effective. 'We've had a very good discussion and hopefully
I'll be given a run of games where I'm comfortable. If it doesn't happen
right away, I will have to wait for my chance. 'I'm really looking forward
to meeting up with the West Ham boys for pre-season and starting again.'
Though Bilic shared the frustration of Snodgrass' slow start to his West Ham
career – not helped by an ankle injury – he regards it as unfair to make a
final judgement after less than six months. 'I scored nine goals for Hull
and a hat-trick for Scotland in the first half of the season, you don't do
that and then become an average player overnight, so I know I can contribute
to West Ham,' said Snodgrass. 'I was heartened by playing on the right for
the final game against Burnley which we won. It gave me a bit of confidence
and I want to take that momentum into the new season. I don't know where the
stories have come about moving on. I am committed to West Ham.'
Eight of Snodgrass' 15 West Ham appearances have been off the substitutes'
bench but he can still end the season on a high with a famous result against
England at Hampden. 'It feels as if I've had two different seasons already
but playing England in a World Cup qualifier is a great way to go into the
summer,' he said. 'After that, I can't wait to rejoin the lads at West Ham
for pre-season training and show the real me.'
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West Ham fans most responsible for rise in football-related arrests on
British transport network
Telegraph.co.uk
Alistair Tweedale
8 JUNE 2017 • 10:55AM
Hooliganism may no longer be quite the issue it once was in this country,
but problems still persist, particularly on our trains. Research conducted
by ticketgum into a Home Office news release reveals that while
football-related arrests have decreased over the last five seasons, the
number made on the transport network has risen for a fourth year running.
The statistics show that over the past five years there has been a decrease
in the number of football-related arrests across the country, from around
2,400 in 2011/12 to 1,895 in 2015/16, the most recent season charted.
However, arrests made on public transport have continued to rise, with 22
per cent of all football-related arrests made by the British Transport
Police. Football-related arrests have played a big part in overall crime on
the railway increasing by four per cent. Of the incidents where a Premier
League football club was mentioned, West Ham were responsible for the most,
with Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea next on the
list.
Liverpool and Middlesbrough were mentioned in just one per cent of those
arrests where fans of a specific Premier League club were involved. The fact
that the 'bigger' Premier League clubs are mostly nearer the top of this
list may be accounted for by their larger fanbases and attendances. However,
West Ham were still playing at the Boleyn Ground in 2015/16, while
Liverpool's Anfield home is one of the biggest in the country, so the number
of fans at matches cannot be the only explanation.
One of the reported offences included "4-500 fans who boarded a special
train service. While at platform the doors of the train were forced open and
coins thrown at rival fans. Due to the difficulty closing doors, the train
lost power, causing one cancellation and delays to 15 trains. [A] train
window was later found to have been smashed."
Another incident was said to have caused more than £3000 in damages. On the
matter, the British Transport Police stated the following, "We adopt a
proactive approach to football policing, with officers escorting trains
before and after matches and patrolling stations where large numbers of fans
are expected." The BTP added that "fixed penalty notices are not used for
football-related offences, making sure that offenders are charged with the
most serious offences their conduct warrants." BTP chief constable Paul
Crowther said in 2015 that the number of incidents on the transport network
may be even higher, because victims feel too frightened to talk to British
Transport Police officials. The three most common football-related offences
are public disorder, alcohol offences and violent disorder, which make up 96
per cent of arrests. Earlier this year, a French court found four Chelsea
fans guilty of racist violence on the Paris metro before a Champions League
match in February 2015. West Ham have endured more problems since moving to
the London Stadium, with visiting Middlesbrough fans attacked after their
match there last October.
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Chelsea refusing to allow wantaway Michy Batshuayi's transfer until they
sign a new striker
Clubs across Europe are after the £33m Belgian, who confirmed he wants to be
playing more next season in a World Cup year
The Mirror
BYDARREN LEWIS
22:30, 7 JUN 2017
Michy Batshuayi will not be permitted to leave Chelsea until the champions
have landed a replacement. West Ham, Scotland's Rangers, French side Monaco
and Sevilla of Spain are all keen to snap up the 23-year-old, who spent last
season on the fringes for the Blues before scoring in three of his final
four games — including the late winner at West Brom that confirmed them as
champions. Chelsea, meanwhile, are trying to agree a fee with Everton for
their star frontman Romelu Lukaku . The Toffees' 25-goal leading scorer
wants a return to Stamford Bridge, where he spent three seasons from 2011
albeit mostly out on loan. However, Everton require a world-record
£100million for him. The future of Diego Costa , the champions' current
first-choice up front, is also uncertain. The Spain striker is reluctant to
move to the Chinese Super League, where Tianjin Quinjan are ready to pay
£76million for him. He is prepared to rejoin previous club Atletico Madrid,
but the La Liga heavyweights are under a transfer ban and will not be able
to register new players until January. It means Costa could stay at Stamford
Bridge, and Belgium international Batshuayi is unwilling to endure another
season on the bench in a World Cup year. He said: "No, no, no. Everyone
knows that I have to play more, that I have to score goals. There's a World
Cup coming up next year. I want to be ready for the World Cup. "But I'm not
going to ask anything. I'm going to listen to what they are saying. They are
the boss, not me. And afterwards I'll discuss it with my agent and the club.
Amicably, as friends. Of course. "A loan? That's not up to me. That's up to
them. They take the decisions, not me. "Diego is a top player who has played
in top teams and has scored a lot of goals at the highest level. I'm still
young, so I've learned a lot from him. "I have lived difficult moments, but
it's in times like those that you learn the most. "Certainly when you're
surrounded by top class players, like Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, all of
them, you only can make progress in a situation like that. I haven't played
a lot, you know, but I managed to scored one of the most important goals.
"It gave me a boost. Good for me, good for the team. Of course I wanted to
play more. And of course I wanted to score more goals. That's normal. All
players want that. But we have become champions. That's really good for me.
It's a wonderful experience."
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Chelsea title hero Michy Batshuayi insists he cannot accept another season
sitting on the Blues' bench
Michy Batshuayi has admits he cannot spend another season on Chelsea's bench
The Belgian striker became a Blues hero after scoring the title-winning goal
Batshuayi ended the season in a purple patch, scoring in three consecutive
ties
West Ham and Everton have been linked with the 23-year-old
By Danny Gallagher For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 23:16, 7 June 2017 | UPDATED: 23:17, 7 June 2017
Chelsea's title hero Michy Batshuayi has admitted he cannot spend another
season wallowing on the substitutes' bench at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian youngster spent the majority of the season seeing only glimpses
of action, before bursting onto the scene in the latter stages to score the
title-clinching goal during Chelsea's away clash with West Brom. He went on
to find the back of the net in each of Chelsea's two final fixtures of the
season, ending his personal campaign on a high. And now the 23-year-old has
spoken openly regarding his immediate future, maintaining that he cannot
spend another season as a bit-part player. 'Everyone knows that I have to
play more, that I have to score goals. There's a World Cup coming up next
year. I want to be ready for the World Cup,' said Batshuayi in an interview
with The Guardian. 'But I'm not going to ask anything. I'm going to listen
to what they are saying. They are the boss, not me. And afterwards I'll
discuss it with my agent and the club. Amicably, as friends of course. A
loan? That's not up to me. That's up to them. They take the decisions, not
me.'
Despite the frustration of limited time out on the pitch, Batshuayi believes
he has grown as a player as a result of the talent around him. This, plus
the additional confidence of a title-winning goal, is set to stand him in
good stead ahead of the coming season, the striker believes: 'I have lived
difficult moments, but it's in times like those that you learn the most.
Certainly when you're surrounded by top class players, like Cesc Fàbregas,
Eden Hazard, all of them, you only can make progress in a situation like
that.
'I haven't played a lot, you know, but I managed to scored one of the most
important goals. It gave me a boost. Good for me, good for the team. Of
course I wanted to play more. And of course I wanted to score more goals.
That's normal,' he added. West Ham, who bid for Batshuayi before he made the
move from Marseille to Chelsea, have again been linked with the player.
Everton have likewise also been touted as a destination, with Batshuayi a
potential inclusion in any possible deal to bring Romelu Lukaku back to
Stamford Bridge.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, June 9
Thursday, June 8
Daily WHUFC News - 8th June 2017
Sofiane Feghouli makes winning return to Algeria action
WHUFC.com
Sofiane Feghouli made a successful return to international duty as Algeria edged out Guinea 2-1 in a friendly on Tuesday night. Wearing the No10 shirt, the West Ham United winger was introduced as a 73rd-minute substitute in the match, which was played in the Algerian city of Blida, with the scores level at 1-1. Feghouli, who ended the 2016/17 season with a fine performance and a goal in the 2-1 final-day Premier League victory at Burnley, replaced Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium. The lively Hammer was heavily involved in his 20 minutes on the pitch and went close to adding to the eleven goals he has netted for the Desert Warriors when he burst into the penalty area and fired narrowly wide just moments after his introduction. The 27-year-old was returning to Algeria duty after missing his country's last four international fixtures, making his first appearance since a FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat in Nigeria in November, and earning his 43rd cap. Algeria struck the winner with 12 minutes remaining when a deflected cross was expertly converted on the half-volley by Dinamo Zagreb's Hillel El Arabi Soudani. Earlier, Sofiane Hanni of Anderlecht had put the hosts in front, before Demba Camara of Paris FC levelled.
Feghouli, who made his debut against The Gambia back in February 2012, will hope to earn cap number 44 when Algeria host Togo in a second friendly international in Blida on Saturday 10 June at 10pm BST.
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Manuel Lanzini relishes making debut alongside 'best player' Messi
WHUFC.com
Manuel Lanzini is in optimistic mood as he prepares to make his Argentina debut alongside Lionel Messi on Friday. West Ham United's No10 is set to make his senior international bow for Argentina against arch-rivals Brazil in front of 70,000 fans in Australia. For Lanzini, who has spent the week training alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala, his maiden call-up and potential bow for La Albiceleste come at the end of a stellar season in Claret and Blue. Now, he intends to continue his recent form by impressing new Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli – the former Chile and Sevilla boss – when he steps on to the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"I am more than happy," he revealed. "I was hoping for this, I think I was playing well and I am lucky to achieve it."
Lanzini said his call-up was reward for his impressive 2016/17 campaign, in which he scored eight goals in 39 appearances, including vital winners against Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur, and was voted Players' Player of the Year. The Buenos Aires-born player has the ability to play across the attacking midfield line and, with the likes of Messi, Dybala and Angel Di Maria also in the squad, his versatility will be valuable to Sampaoli. "I am more mature now," said the 24-year-old. "I am more stable, which is very important. I also have more personality. I am feeling good and have confidence. "I am sometimes playing as right winger and sometimes in the middle – it all depends the way we play at West Ham." "I like [Sampaoli's] style as he is a manager that plays good football. I will do whatever he tells me to do it and I will try to do my best."
Whatever happens on Friday, and in Argentina's second friendly in Singapore on Tuesday 13 June, Lanzini has relished sharing the training pitch and dressing room with Messi. The pair met in Barcelona last year and Messi recently posted a photo on social media showing his West Ham shirt among those he has swapped throughout his illustrious career. "It is a double satisfaction [to be called-up and working alongside Messi]," Lanzini confirmed. "He is the best player in the world and we are lucky as he is Argentinian. We need to take advantage of this."
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Bobby Moore versus Brazil - The World Cup's greatest battle
WHUFC.com
Wednesday 7 June marks the 47th anniversary of arguably the most-iconic performance of Bobby Moore's illustrious career. The West Ham United defender put on an imperious display as England faced Brazil at the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, producing a series of perfect tackles to halt Pele and Jairzinho, among others. Filmed in glorious colour, Moore's masterpiece was watched eagerly on television by a then-teenage Ken Dyer, the childhood Hammers fan who went on to spend four decades reporting on the Club for the London Evening Standard…
England versus Brazil was a group-stage match at the 1970 World Cup finals. Both teams had won their opening fixtures, against Romania and Czechoslovakia respectively, and would go on to qualify for the knockout stages. In the build-up to the game, the main thing I can remember is that it was thought England had a better squad than they were in 1966, when they won the tournament, and that England and Brazil were the two best teams in the world at the time.
The game was played in Guadalajara and, even watching on TV, you could feel that it was really hot with the temperature in the high eighties, which probably favoured Brazil. But while some of the England players appeared to wilt in the heat, Bobby Moore produced one of the finest performances, if not THE finest performance, of his career. He was the one who seemed to be stemming the tide each time Brazil came forward – and they came forward in waves with the great Pele, Rivelino, Jairzinho and Tostao.
The outstanding moments were undoubtedly Bobby coming up one-on-one against Pele, who was in the pomp at his time and was the best player I've ever seen, and Jairzinho. Bobby Moore was also at his best at that time and what stuck in my mind was how he marshalled the defence, and how he made those tackles that were not really tackles, but more kind of interceptions. The most famous of all came when Jairzinho was coming forward down the right-hand side and Bobby just held off and held off, then turned his body so he was almost sideways on then, at almost exactly the right time, stuck his leg out and took the ball off him. It was the best tackle, or interception, that you will ever see.
As I recall, Mooro always had his eyes on the ball. He wasn't looking at the player, because that was you can be bamboozled by a dummy. He just waited and waited until the perfect time, took the ball off him and Jairzinho probably thought 'What's happened there? Where's the ball gone?'. It was great.
The other moment I remember was Gordon Banks' save from Pele, who did everything you are supposed with his header, heading it down with power, but didn't score a goal. You wondered 'How did he keep that out?' because the ball was almost behind him. Somehow, he got it up and over the bar. I remember looking at Mooro, who was never demonstrative, but even he clapped Banks for that save. Finally, there was the iconic moment when Mooro and Pele swapped shirts. I have that image on the wall of my little office at home. They are looking at each other, Pele is tapping Bobby on the back of his head and Mooro is standing there and both are showing huge respect for one another. It's one of the great football pictures at the end of a great game.
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Tricky backs Iheanacho bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
BBC pundit Trevor Sinclair has backed West Ham United's bid to sign Manchester City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho. Sinclair, who represented West Ham for five years between 1998 and 2003 left his followers on social media in no doubt as to his thoughts on West Ham's bid to capture the 20-year-old forward, when posting at the weekend... Iheanacho scored eight goals in all competitions for Manchester City last season. The 6'2" goalscorer has been in England since 2014, when he was spotted at the Taye Academy in Owerri, Neigeria.
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Club value rises by 17 per cent
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United has been named as the 15th most valuable club in world football. Despite failing to break into the Premier League's top 10 last season, West Ham have been ranked above clubs such as Inter, Roma and the 2015/16 Premier League champions Leicester City by Forbes in their latest annual list. And according to the list, United's value has jumped by 17 per cent since leaving the Boleyn Ground - the biggest positive change of any club featuring in the top 20. Valued at $634million (£490million), West Ham are reported to have earned $213million (£165million) during the last season, which saw the club finish 11th in the table, reach the 4th round of the EFL Cup and 3rd round of the FA Cup.
Top 20 clubs (and their value)
1. Man Utd: $3.7billion
2. Barcelona: $3.6billion
3. Real Madrid: $3.6billion
4. Bayern Munich: $2.7billion
5. Man City: $2.1billion
6. Arsenal: $1.9billion
7. Chelsea: $1.8billion
8. Liverpool: $1.5billion
9. Juventus: $1.3billion
10. Tottenham: $1.1billion
11. Paris SG: $841million
12. Dortmund: $808million
13. AC Milan: $802million
14. Atletico Madrid: $732million
15. West Ham Utd: $634million
16. Schalke: $629million
17. Roma: $569million
18. Inter: $537million
19. Leicester: $413million
20. Napoli: $379million
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Enner on Cruz control?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
Mexican club Cruz Azul are hoping to put an end to Enner Valencia's European adventure by taking him back to North America. The Ecuador international joined West Ham in the wake of an excellent 2014 World Cup campaign but spent last season on loan at Everton, having failed to secure a first team spot at the Olympic Stadium.
Earlier today it emerged that Liga MX outfit Cruz Azul - under the direction of Spanish coiach Paco Jemez - are trying to put together a package that will lure Valencia back to Mexico, where he featured prior to moving to London three years ago (La Hora). However the biggest stumbling block to a successful deal would be West Ham's demands, with the club seeking to recoup most of the £12million they spent on signing the player dubbed 'Superman' in his home country. Should Cruz - who finished 14th in the 18-team Torneo Apertura and 11th in the Torneo Clausura - be unable to secure a deal for Valencia, it is likely that they will turn their attention to former Liverpool and Chelsea star Fernando Torres.
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West Ham favourites to sign Henry Onyekuru from KAS Eupen
By SSN HQ
Last Updated: 07/06/17 3:01pm
SSN
West Ham have moved to the head of the queue to sign striker Henry Onyekuru from Belgian club KAS Eupen, say Sky sources. The 20-year-old Nigerian is due to fly to England on Monday June 12 for talks with interested clubs. Seven Premier League sides - including Arsenal, West Ham and Swansea City - are in discussions to acquire the teenager who has been shining on the Belgian stage. On May 22, Sky sources reported that Arsenal were holding talks to sign Onyekuru with the player's representatives telling SSNHQ he wanted to play in England. English clubs can trigger the release clause in Onyekuru's contract by paying £7.85m and wages of £35,000 a week, while clubs abroad can sign him for £6.85m. Sources close to the player said they were confident the forward would play in the Premier League next season. The Hammers are also interested in Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace) and Alassane Plea (Nice).
Onyekuru is currently with the Nigeria squad preparing for Saturday's home Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa. He was the joint top-scorer in the Belgium first division last season with 25 goals. By way of comparison, Romelu Lukaka's best season in Belgium was in 2010-11 when he scored 20 times for Anderlecht. Batshuayi's best season was in 2013-14 when he scored 23 times for Standard Liege.
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MAX KRUSE WANTED BY EVERTON AND WEST HAM
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
Max Kruse was one of the more impressive strikers in the Bundesliga this past season, netting 15 goals in just 23 appearances for Werder Bremen and has rightly attracted interest from overseas. Premier League trio West Brom, Stoke and Southampton are among those interested in signing the striker but Bild (h/t Sport Witness) have claimed that Everton and West Ham are leading the English race for his signature, while Manchester United have also been linked. The 29-year-old has many suitors, the report suggests, but as of now there have been no concrete offers put forward to the Bundesliga club for their star striker, nor are clubs said to be preparing them, it appears to be just interest at this stage. After Romelu Lukaku continued to hint that he's leaving Everton this summer and the car-crash that is the West Ham striker situation, it's no surprise that both clubs are making checks on some of Europe's most prolific forwards of the last few seasons, including Kruse.
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West Ham star opens up about playing alongside Lionel Messi ahead of international debut
Lanzini could make his Argentina debut this week
Football London
BYROB GUEST
14:30, 7 JUN 2017
Manuel Lanzini looks set to crown a brilliant season at the London Stadium by making his international debut for Argentina against Brazil on Friday. The 24-year-old has once again impressed in east London and the club's fans finally have their wish after calling for his international debut ever since he joined the Hammers nearly two years ago. New Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli could now hand the West Ham winger his debut for the South American clash in Melbourne before they travel to play Singapore next Tuesday. Given Argentina have the likes of Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria at their disposal, Lanzini has admitted he will play in any position for his new manager. "I am more mature now. I am more stable, which is very important. I also have more personality. I am feeling good and have confidence," Lanzini told the club website. "I am sometimes playing as right winger and sometimes in the middle – it all depends the way we play at West Ham. "I like [Sampaoli's] style as he is a manager that plays good football. I will do whatever he tells me to do it and I will try to do my best."
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Scout Report: Steve Mounie
POSTED BY: MICHAEL PEARSON 07/06/2017
Moore Than Just a Club
This week saw West Ham join the race to sign highly rated Montpelier striker Steve Mounie. The forward who's goals helped his side stave off relegation from Ligue 1 this season is one of three the club are interested in.
From the injury problems to Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho last season it is clear that the club need to assess their attacking options. If rumours are the be believed they are interested in some quality additions already. The Hammers have been linked to two forwards this summer in the shape of Kelechi Iheanacho and Michy Batshuayi. Bringing in a proven Premier League goal scorer will be a vast improvement on the loan business which saw Jonathan Calleri and Simone Zaza join the club last summer. With the injuries to the first choice forwards and the two loanies failing to impress the club was seriously lacking a goal threat. That is where they are hoping to bring in Mounie to give more versatility up front.
There are a number of clubs who are interested in the 22 year-old Montpellier forward with rivals Watford and West Brom being among them. Mounie would be a cheaper than both Iheanacho and Batshuayi and would cost the club around £13 million. If a deal were to be agreed, what can the Hammers fans expect?
At 6'3″ the Benin international is very much in the mould of Carroll. Top scoring for Montpellier with 15 goals in 38 appearances last season is a decent return for a side towards the bottom of the Ligue 1 table. A goal in every 2.5 games is a better strike rate than that of Carroll who scored 7 in 22 appearances (1 per 3.14 games) during his injury hit campaign. Mounie is a strong and physical player who can compete well in the air. Seven of his goals last season were scored using his head so there would not be a need to adjust the style of play much from when using Carroll. He can compete well in the air also winning 8.4 aerial duels per 90 minutes last season vs 4.5 lost. When we compare this to Carroll the English man comes out on top winning 9.1 duels per 90, but having played 1,500 minutes less during the season.
From a statistical point of view he looks to be a good prospect to handle the physically of the Premier League and at £13 million would not be such a gamble. With other interested parties however the Hammers may face a bidding war in order to sign the player.
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West Ham given major boost as Michy Batshuayi hints at Chelsea exit this summer
Batshuayi has found his game time to be limited at Chelsea so far
Football London
BYROB GUEST
13:00, 7 JUN 2017
West Ham have been given a boost in their pursuit of Michy Batshuayi after the striker said he cannot spend another season on Chelsea's substitutes' bench. The Belgian forward claims he won't force a move but has admitted he needs regular first-team football ahead of next year's World Cup in Russia. The Hammers are in need of a new frontman and Slaven Bilic's team have been heavily linked with the 23-year-old following a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge. And with Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku set to complete his big-money move to west London from Everton in the summer, Batshuayi could be the man to make way. Asked the possibility of another season on Chelsea's bench, Batshuayi told reporters at the Belgian national team's media day: "No, no, no. Everyone knows that I have to play more, that I have to score goals. "There's a World Cup coming up next year. I want to be ready for the World Cup."
Despite Batshuayi wanting to play regularly next season, the forward has claimed the final decision rests with Antonio Conte and the club. "I'm not going to ask anything," added the former Marseille forward. "I'm going to listen to what they are saying. They are the boss, not me. And afterwards I'll discuss it with my agent and the club. Amicably, as friends of course. "A loan? That's not up to me. That's up to them (Chelsea). They take the decisions, not me."
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WEST HAM MAKE 'FIRM' OFFER FOR CHELSEA'S BETRAND TRAORE
CHARLIE SMITH @cjsjourno
ReadWestHam
West Ham have joined Everton and other European clubs in the race to sign Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore, according to Foot Mercato.
Traore, 21, has been with Chelsea since 2013 making 16 appearances and scoring four goals during that time, and has enjoyed successful loan spells in the Netherlands. The Burkina Faso international spent 18 months with Vitesse Arnhem where he struck 20 goals in 51 appearances, and spent last term with Ajax where he notched 13 goals and four appearances in all competitions, helping them to the Europa League final. There is a lot of interest in Traore, who can play up front or out wide, with Lille, Lyon, Borussia Monchengladbach and Schalke all making offers and keen for his signature. Chelsea are asking for £17.5 million for Traore, with rumours they have already turned down a bid in the window for a fee in the region of £14 million for the striker.
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DEFENSIVE CLARITY?
By Blind Hammer 7 Jun 2017 at 08:00
WTID
Blind Hammer argues that the prime focus next season remains the defence. Disturbing signals are emerging from West Ham that we may yet again have muddled thinking in our defensive strategies. A few days ago David Gold responded to a query on Twitter about a potential loan for Reece Oxford. A West Ham fan wanted to know why we were not prepared to give Oxford a chance ourselves.
Gold responded that we already had 4 international centre backs so Oxford's path to the first team was effectively blocked. Now this apparently innocent observation by Gold raised all sorts of alarm bells for me.
First of all we need to have some context. Almost exactly a year ago this week I wrote an article entitled "The Case for the Defence" in which I criticised the attempt to sign a "20 goal a season striker" without providing a similar focus on our defence. I have no hesitation now in repeating yet again my belief that defensive fragilities remain more of an issue. When the season is taken as a whole weakness in defence caused more issues than our striking feebleness. During our worst passages this season we were conceding on average 3 goals a game. This is simply not viable for a top flight club to sustain and achieve any sort of success. Transferring even Ronaldo and Messy to West Ham would not have worked if they needed to score on average 4 goals to win a game.
Now thankfully Bilic eventually found a tactical formation which, at the tail end of last season, gave some basis for defensive security. We only really got a thumping in our last home game against Liverpool. Tellingly even in this game our worst phase of play came when we reverted to 4 at the back, after falling behind, with sadly predictable consequences.
The fact is that for nearly all of the season we rarely looked secure by playing 4 at the back. Using only 2 centre backs seems to result in their being exposed.
It is in this context that I find Gold's remarks so worrying. Gold obviously believes that the squad only has need for 4 top quality centre backs. This statement only make sense if he believe that we will be playing only 2 centre backs on a regular basis. . Yet we have recent evidence that we can only effectively defend with not 2 but 3 centre backs. If we will be playing 3 centre backs regularly as at the end of last season we need at least 5 and arguably 6 options in central defence. Last season 2 of our most effective central defenders, Reid and Obonna, spent large periods of the season injured. We should not be gambling that this problem will not re-occur.
I thought that Bilic and the club had learnt from this and would plan a squad which could at least deliver a 3 at the back formation securely without having to squeeze square pegs into round holes. I will be disappointed in the extreme if we are again forced into wasting the talents of Cheikhou Kouyaté in central defence. I suspect that the player himself will feel similar disappointment. Planning to use Håvard Nordtveit in this role would, I believe, be irresponsible given the defensive weaknesses we have shown in the last 18 months.
Now Gold is obviously not Bilic and it is Bilic who is responsible for team tactics and formation, however the problems with our defensive performance over 18 months should be at the forefront of attention and understood by the club hierarchy from top to bottom.
The case for Oxford going to Germany could be supported if we believe both Rice and Burke are ahead of him in the pecking order for first team places. However this was not the message. The message was that apparently Fonte, Obonna, Collins and Reid are enough squad cover for the season. If this is really the thinking at West Ham I think it is muddled and learns nothing from last season.
It is from defensive security that we must build confidence in our team; the crowd at the London Stadium must not endure pessimism that we are inevitably going to concede goals as a matter of course particularly in the final minutes.
Whilst on yet another summer glamour hunt for a striker the club must learn the lessons of last season and also prioritise the need to have the clearest strategy for locking our defence.
COYI
David Griffith
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Jermain Defoe confirms medical with AFC Bournemouth
HITC
Saikat Mandal
Jermain Defoe has confirmed that he will be joining AFC Bournemouth this summer. After months of speculation, Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has revealed where he will join this summer. And the club is AFC Bournemouth. The 34-year-old joined the Black Cats in January 2015, and has been an inspirational figure for them. He scored 15 Premier League goals last season but couldn't prevent his side from getting relegated to the Championship. Last month, Sky Sports reported that Defoe has his sight on joining Bournemouth on a free transfer this summer, with the former Tottenham Hotspur reportedly agreeing a three-year deal at Dean Court, worth £65,000-a-week.
Defoe spent the 2000-01 season on loan at Bournemouth from West Ham where he scored in 10 successive matches. The England striker has confirmed that a move to the Cherries is definitely happening, adding he did undergo a medical with the Premier League club. "Well, yeah. It's out there, a lot of people obviously knew," said Defoe, as quoted by the BBC. "I did a medical and said when this is finished and I've had a break, come July everyone will know anyway."
The news will come as a blow to West Ham who were reportedly keen to sign their former striker this summer. Defoe made his name with the Hammers as a youngster, hitting 41 goals in 105 games before moving on to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Sky Sports reported last month that West Ham were set to make a new move to land him in the summer transfer window. Defoe is currently on international duty with the England squad for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Saturday and a friendly against France three days later.
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West Ham's Enner Valencia set to join Champions League club?
by Scott Johnson1 minute agoFollow @greensthammers
West Ham's Enner Valencia could be playing Champions League football next season. After a disappointing season at Everton, leaving Koeman unwilling to spend the money on signing him permanently from West Ham, it seems unlikely. But that's what recent reports have said, linking the player to a move to Besiktas. The Turkish champions are reportedly interested in bringing the Ecuadorian to the Superlig. Given the player's inability to reproduce quality on a regular basis, it seems a strange move. But could there be substance to the rumour? And should the Hammers be selling up, or holding on?
Valencia to Beskitas?
Many fans wanted Valencia gone permanently last summer, so that position is still relevant. Why should the Hammers hold on to a player that was deemed surplus to requirements before? But then West Ham haven't had the best season in front of goal. But the Ecuadorian isn't really the answer there, given he isn't an out and out striker himself. He wasn't a goal machine in his time in East London, and I doubt that he will suddenly be banging in goals left right and centre.
But it doesn't answer why a team who've just won their league would want him? Well if the qualities of Gokhan Tore are to be believed then it seems the Turkish Superlig is a simpler division to be a quality winger in. Someone with pace and the occasional long range thunderbolt would fit right in. Tore was a big force at Beskitas before his loan move to the Hammers, but couldn't cut it in England.
If Besiktas offer anything north of 10m for Valencia the Hammers should snap their hands off. There isn't anything worth negotiating there, because he offers nothing special to the Hammers side. In short I'd rather have Snodgrass still at the club than Valencia come September.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Sofiane Feghouli made a successful return to international duty as Algeria edged out Guinea 2-1 in a friendly on Tuesday night. Wearing the No10 shirt, the West Ham United winger was introduced as a 73rd-minute substitute in the match, which was played in the Algerian city of Blida, with the scores level at 1-1. Feghouli, who ended the 2016/17 season with a fine performance and a goal in the 2-1 final-day Premier League victory at Burnley, replaced Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium. The lively Hammer was heavily involved in his 20 minutes on the pitch and went close to adding to the eleven goals he has netted for the Desert Warriors when he burst into the penalty area and fired narrowly wide just moments after his introduction. The 27-year-old was returning to Algeria duty after missing his country's last four international fixtures, making his first appearance since a FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat in Nigeria in November, and earning his 43rd cap. Algeria struck the winner with 12 minutes remaining when a deflected cross was expertly converted on the half-volley by Dinamo Zagreb's Hillel El Arabi Soudani. Earlier, Sofiane Hanni of Anderlecht had put the hosts in front, before Demba Camara of Paris FC levelled.
Feghouli, who made his debut against The Gambia back in February 2012, will hope to earn cap number 44 when Algeria host Togo in a second friendly international in Blida on Saturday 10 June at 10pm BST.
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Manuel Lanzini relishes making debut alongside 'best player' Messi
WHUFC.com
Manuel Lanzini is in optimistic mood as he prepares to make his Argentina debut alongside Lionel Messi on Friday. West Ham United's No10 is set to make his senior international bow for Argentina against arch-rivals Brazil in front of 70,000 fans in Australia. For Lanzini, who has spent the week training alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala, his maiden call-up and potential bow for La Albiceleste come at the end of a stellar season in Claret and Blue. Now, he intends to continue his recent form by impressing new Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli – the former Chile and Sevilla boss – when he steps on to the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"I am more than happy," he revealed. "I was hoping for this, I think I was playing well and I am lucky to achieve it."
Lanzini said his call-up was reward for his impressive 2016/17 campaign, in which he scored eight goals in 39 appearances, including vital winners against Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur, and was voted Players' Player of the Year. The Buenos Aires-born player has the ability to play across the attacking midfield line and, with the likes of Messi, Dybala and Angel Di Maria also in the squad, his versatility will be valuable to Sampaoli. "I am more mature now," said the 24-year-old. "I am more stable, which is very important. I also have more personality. I am feeling good and have confidence. "I am sometimes playing as right winger and sometimes in the middle – it all depends the way we play at West Ham." "I like [Sampaoli's] style as he is a manager that plays good football. I will do whatever he tells me to do it and I will try to do my best."
Whatever happens on Friday, and in Argentina's second friendly in Singapore on Tuesday 13 June, Lanzini has relished sharing the training pitch and dressing room with Messi. The pair met in Barcelona last year and Messi recently posted a photo on social media showing his West Ham shirt among those he has swapped throughout his illustrious career. "It is a double satisfaction [to be called-up and working alongside Messi]," Lanzini confirmed. "He is the best player in the world and we are lucky as he is Argentinian. We need to take advantage of this."
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Bobby Moore versus Brazil - The World Cup's greatest battle
WHUFC.com
Wednesday 7 June marks the 47th anniversary of arguably the most-iconic performance of Bobby Moore's illustrious career. The West Ham United defender put on an imperious display as England faced Brazil at the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, producing a series of perfect tackles to halt Pele and Jairzinho, among others. Filmed in glorious colour, Moore's masterpiece was watched eagerly on television by a then-teenage Ken Dyer, the childhood Hammers fan who went on to spend four decades reporting on the Club for the London Evening Standard…
England versus Brazil was a group-stage match at the 1970 World Cup finals. Both teams had won their opening fixtures, against Romania and Czechoslovakia respectively, and would go on to qualify for the knockout stages. In the build-up to the game, the main thing I can remember is that it was thought England had a better squad than they were in 1966, when they won the tournament, and that England and Brazil were the two best teams in the world at the time.
The game was played in Guadalajara and, even watching on TV, you could feel that it was really hot with the temperature in the high eighties, which probably favoured Brazil. But while some of the England players appeared to wilt in the heat, Bobby Moore produced one of the finest performances, if not THE finest performance, of his career. He was the one who seemed to be stemming the tide each time Brazil came forward – and they came forward in waves with the great Pele, Rivelino, Jairzinho and Tostao.
The outstanding moments were undoubtedly Bobby coming up one-on-one against Pele, who was in the pomp at his time and was the best player I've ever seen, and Jairzinho. Bobby Moore was also at his best at that time and what stuck in my mind was how he marshalled the defence, and how he made those tackles that were not really tackles, but more kind of interceptions. The most famous of all came when Jairzinho was coming forward down the right-hand side and Bobby just held off and held off, then turned his body so he was almost sideways on then, at almost exactly the right time, stuck his leg out and took the ball off him. It was the best tackle, or interception, that you will ever see.
As I recall, Mooro always had his eyes on the ball. He wasn't looking at the player, because that was you can be bamboozled by a dummy. He just waited and waited until the perfect time, took the ball off him and Jairzinho probably thought 'What's happened there? Where's the ball gone?'. It was great.
The other moment I remember was Gordon Banks' save from Pele, who did everything you are supposed with his header, heading it down with power, but didn't score a goal. You wondered 'How did he keep that out?' because the ball was almost behind him. Somehow, he got it up and over the bar. I remember looking at Mooro, who was never demonstrative, but even he clapped Banks for that save. Finally, there was the iconic moment when Mooro and Pele swapped shirts. I have that image on the wall of my little office at home. They are looking at each other, Pele is tapping Bobby on the back of his head and Mooro is standing there and both are showing huge respect for one another. It's one of the great football pictures at the end of a great game.
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Tricky backs Iheanacho bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
BBC pundit Trevor Sinclair has backed West Ham United's bid to sign Manchester City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho. Sinclair, who represented West Ham for five years between 1998 and 2003 left his followers on social media in no doubt as to his thoughts on West Ham's bid to capture the 20-year-old forward, when posting at the weekend... Iheanacho scored eight goals in all competitions for Manchester City last season. The 6'2" goalscorer has been in England since 2014, when he was spotted at the Taye Academy in Owerri, Neigeria.
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Club value rises by 17 per cent
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United has been named as the 15th most valuable club in world football. Despite failing to break into the Premier League's top 10 last season, West Ham have been ranked above clubs such as Inter, Roma and the 2015/16 Premier League champions Leicester City by Forbes in their latest annual list. And according to the list, United's value has jumped by 17 per cent since leaving the Boleyn Ground - the biggest positive change of any club featuring in the top 20. Valued at $634million (£490million), West Ham are reported to have earned $213million (£165million) during the last season, which saw the club finish 11th in the table, reach the 4th round of the EFL Cup and 3rd round of the FA Cup.
Top 20 clubs (and their value)
1. Man Utd: $3.7billion
2. Barcelona: $3.6billion
3. Real Madrid: $3.6billion
4. Bayern Munich: $2.7billion
5. Man City: $2.1billion
6. Arsenal: $1.9billion
7. Chelsea: $1.8billion
8. Liverpool: $1.5billion
9. Juventus: $1.3billion
10. Tottenham: $1.1billion
11. Paris SG: $841million
12. Dortmund: $808million
13. AC Milan: $802million
14. Atletico Madrid: $732million
15. West Ham Utd: $634million
16. Schalke: $629million
17. Roma: $569million
18. Inter: $537million
19. Leicester: $413million
20. Napoli: $379million
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Enner on Cruz control?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 7th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
Mexican club Cruz Azul are hoping to put an end to Enner Valencia's European adventure by taking him back to North America. The Ecuador international joined West Ham in the wake of an excellent 2014 World Cup campaign but spent last season on loan at Everton, having failed to secure a first team spot at the Olympic Stadium.
Earlier today it emerged that Liga MX outfit Cruz Azul - under the direction of Spanish coiach Paco Jemez - are trying to put together a package that will lure Valencia back to Mexico, where he featured prior to moving to London three years ago (La Hora). However the biggest stumbling block to a successful deal would be West Ham's demands, with the club seeking to recoup most of the £12million they spent on signing the player dubbed 'Superman' in his home country. Should Cruz - who finished 14th in the 18-team Torneo Apertura and 11th in the Torneo Clausura - be unable to secure a deal for Valencia, it is likely that they will turn their attention to former Liverpool and Chelsea star Fernando Torres.
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West Ham favourites to sign Henry Onyekuru from KAS Eupen
By SSN HQ
Last Updated: 07/06/17 3:01pm
SSN
West Ham have moved to the head of the queue to sign striker Henry Onyekuru from Belgian club KAS Eupen, say Sky sources. The 20-year-old Nigerian is due to fly to England on Monday June 12 for talks with interested clubs. Seven Premier League sides - including Arsenal, West Ham and Swansea City - are in discussions to acquire the teenager who has been shining on the Belgian stage. On May 22, Sky sources reported that Arsenal were holding talks to sign Onyekuru with the player's representatives telling SSNHQ he wanted to play in England. English clubs can trigger the release clause in Onyekuru's contract by paying £7.85m and wages of £35,000 a week, while clubs abroad can sign him for £6.85m. Sources close to the player said they were confident the forward would play in the Premier League next season. The Hammers are also interested in Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace) and Alassane Plea (Nice).
Onyekuru is currently with the Nigeria squad preparing for Saturday's home Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa. He was the joint top-scorer in the Belgium first division last season with 25 goals. By way of comparison, Romelu Lukaka's best season in Belgium was in 2010-11 when he scored 20 times for Anderlecht. Batshuayi's best season was in 2013-14 when he scored 23 times for Standard Liege.
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MAX KRUSE WANTED BY EVERTON AND WEST HAM
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
Max Kruse was one of the more impressive strikers in the Bundesliga this past season, netting 15 goals in just 23 appearances for Werder Bremen and has rightly attracted interest from overseas. Premier League trio West Brom, Stoke and Southampton are among those interested in signing the striker but Bild (h/t Sport Witness) have claimed that Everton and West Ham are leading the English race for his signature, while Manchester United have also been linked. The 29-year-old has many suitors, the report suggests, but as of now there have been no concrete offers put forward to the Bundesliga club for their star striker, nor are clubs said to be preparing them, it appears to be just interest at this stage. After Romelu Lukaku continued to hint that he's leaving Everton this summer and the car-crash that is the West Ham striker situation, it's no surprise that both clubs are making checks on some of Europe's most prolific forwards of the last few seasons, including Kruse.
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West Ham star opens up about playing alongside Lionel Messi ahead of international debut
Lanzini could make his Argentina debut this week
Football London
BYROB GUEST
14:30, 7 JUN 2017
Manuel Lanzini looks set to crown a brilliant season at the London Stadium by making his international debut for Argentina against Brazil on Friday. The 24-year-old has once again impressed in east London and the club's fans finally have their wish after calling for his international debut ever since he joined the Hammers nearly two years ago. New Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli could now hand the West Ham winger his debut for the South American clash in Melbourne before they travel to play Singapore next Tuesday. Given Argentina have the likes of Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria at their disposal, Lanzini has admitted he will play in any position for his new manager. "I am more mature now. I am more stable, which is very important. I also have more personality. I am feeling good and have confidence," Lanzini told the club website. "I am sometimes playing as right winger and sometimes in the middle – it all depends the way we play at West Ham. "I like [Sampaoli's] style as he is a manager that plays good football. I will do whatever he tells me to do it and I will try to do my best."
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Scout Report: Steve Mounie
POSTED BY: MICHAEL PEARSON 07/06/2017
Moore Than Just a Club
This week saw West Ham join the race to sign highly rated Montpelier striker Steve Mounie. The forward who's goals helped his side stave off relegation from Ligue 1 this season is one of three the club are interested in.
From the injury problems to Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho last season it is clear that the club need to assess their attacking options. If rumours are the be believed they are interested in some quality additions already. The Hammers have been linked to two forwards this summer in the shape of Kelechi Iheanacho and Michy Batshuayi. Bringing in a proven Premier League goal scorer will be a vast improvement on the loan business which saw Jonathan Calleri and Simone Zaza join the club last summer. With the injuries to the first choice forwards and the two loanies failing to impress the club was seriously lacking a goal threat. That is where they are hoping to bring in Mounie to give more versatility up front.
There are a number of clubs who are interested in the 22 year-old Montpellier forward with rivals Watford and West Brom being among them. Mounie would be a cheaper than both Iheanacho and Batshuayi and would cost the club around £13 million. If a deal were to be agreed, what can the Hammers fans expect?
At 6'3″ the Benin international is very much in the mould of Carroll. Top scoring for Montpellier with 15 goals in 38 appearances last season is a decent return for a side towards the bottom of the Ligue 1 table. A goal in every 2.5 games is a better strike rate than that of Carroll who scored 7 in 22 appearances (1 per 3.14 games) during his injury hit campaign. Mounie is a strong and physical player who can compete well in the air. Seven of his goals last season were scored using his head so there would not be a need to adjust the style of play much from when using Carroll. He can compete well in the air also winning 8.4 aerial duels per 90 minutes last season vs 4.5 lost. When we compare this to Carroll the English man comes out on top winning 9.1 duels per 90, but having played 1,500 minutes less during the season.
From a statistical point of view he looks to be a good prospect to handle the physically of the Premier League and at £13 million would not be such a gamble. With other interested parties however the Hammers may face a bidding war in order to sign the player.
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West Ham given major boost as Michy Batshuayi hints at Chelsea exit this summer
Batshuayi has found his game time to be limited at Chelsea so far
Football London
BYROB GUEST
13:00, 7 JUN 2017
West Ham have been given a boost in their pursuit of Michy Batshuayi after the striker said he cannot spend another season on Chelsea's substitutes' bench. The Belgian forward claims he won't force a move but has admitted he needs regular first-team football ahead of next year's World Cup in Russia. The Hammers are in need of a new frontman and Slaven Bilic's team have been heavily linked with the 23-year-old following a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge. And with Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku set to complete his big-money move to west London from Everton in the summer, Batshuayi could be the man to make way. Asked the possibility of another season on Chelsea's bench, Batshuayi told reporters at the Belgian national team's media day: "No, no, no. Everyone knows that I have to play more, that I have to score goals. "There's a World Cup coming up next year. I want to be ready for the World Cup."
Despite Batshuayi wanting to play regularly next season, the forward has claimed the final decision rests with Antonio Conte and the club. "I'm not going to ask anything," added the former Marseille forward. "I'm going to listen to what they are saying. They are the boss, not me. And afterwards I'll discuss it with my agent and the club. Amicably, as friends of course. "A loan? That's not up to me. That's up to them (Chelsea). They take the decisions, not me."
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WEST HAM MAKE 'FIRM' OFFER FOR CHELSEA'S BETRAND TRAORE
CHARLIE SMITH @cjsjourno
ReadWestHam
West Ham have joined Everton and other European clubs in the race to sign Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore, according to Foot Mercato.
Traore, 21, has been with Chelsea since 2013 making 16 appearances and scoring four goals during that time, and has enjoyed successful loan spells in the Netherlands. The Burkina Faso international spent 18 months with Vitesse Arnhem where he struck 20 goals in 51 appearances, and spent last term with Ajax where he notched 13 goals and four appearances in all competitions, helping them to the Europa League final. There is a lot of interest in Traore, who can play up front or out wide, with Lille, Lyon, Borussia Monchengladbach and Schalke all making offers and keen for his signature. Chelsea are asking for £17.5 million for Traore, with rumours they have already turned down a bid in the window for a fee in the region of £14 million for the striker.
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DEFENSIVE CLARITY?
By Blind Hammer 7 Jun 2017 at 08:00
WTID
Blind Hammer argues that the prime focus next season remains the defence. Disturbing signals are emerging from West Ham that we may yet again have muddled thinking in our defensive strategies. A few days ago David Gold responded to a query on Twitter about a potential loan for Reece Oxford. A West Ham fan wanted to know why we were not prepared to give Oxford a chance ourselves.
Gold responded that we already had 4 international centre backs so Oxford's path to the first team was effectively blocked. Now this apparently innocent observation by Gold raised all sorts of alarm bells for me.
First of all we need to have some context. Almost exactly a year ago this week I wrote an article entitled "The Case for the Defence" in which I criticised the attempt to sign a "20 goal a season striker" without providing a similar focus on our defence. I have no hesitation now in repeating yet again my belief that defensive fragilities remain more of an issue. When the season is taken as a whole weakness in defence caused more issues than our striking feebleness. During our worst passages this season we were conceding on average 3 goals a game. This is simply not viable for a top flight club to sustain and achieve any sort of success. Transferring even Ronaldo and Messy to West Ham would not have worked if they needed to score on average 4 goals to win a game.
Now thankfully Bilic eventually found a tactical formation which, at the tail end of last season, gave some basis for defensive security. We only really got a thumping in our last home game against Liverpool. Tellingly even in this game our worst phase of play came when we reverted to 4 at the back, after falling behind, with sadly predictable consequences.
The fact is that for nearly all of the season we rarely looked secure by playing 4 at the back. Using only 2 centre backs seems to result in their being exposed.
It is in this context that I find Gold's remarks so worrying. Gold obviously believes that the squad only has need for 4 top quality centre backs. This statement only make sense if he believe that we will be playing only 2 centre backs on a regular basis. . Yet we have recent evidence that we can only effectively defend with not 2 but 3 centre backs. If we will be playing 3 centre backs regularly as at the end of last season we need at least 5 and arguably 6 options in central defence. Last season 2 of our most effective central defenders, Reid and Obonna, spent large periods of the season injured. We should not be gambling that this problem will not re-occur.
I thought that Bilic and the club had learnt from this and would plan a squad which could at least deliver a 3 at the back formation securely without having to squeeze square pegs into round holes. I will be disappointed in the extreme if we are again forced into wasting the talents of Cheikhou Kouyaté in central defence. I suspect that the player himself will feel similar disappointment. Planning to use Håvard Nordtveit in this role would, I believe, be irresponsible given the defensive weaknesses we have shown in the last 18 months.
Now Gold is obviously not Bilic and it is Bilic who is responsible for team tactics and formation, however the problems with our defensive performance over 18 months should be at the forefront of attention and understood by the club hierarchy from top to bottom.
The case for Oxford going to Germany could be supported if we believe both Rice and Burke are ahead of him in the pecking order for first team places. However this was not the message. The message was that apparently Fonte, Obonna, Collins and Reid are enough squad cover for the season. If this is really the thinking at West Ham I think it is muddled and learns nothing from last season.
It is from defensive security that we must build confidence in our team; the crowd at the London Stadium must not endure pessimism that we are inevitably going to concede goals as a matter of course particularly in the final minutes.
Whilst on yet another summer glamour hunt for a striker the club must learn the lessons of last season and also prioritise the need to have the clearest strategy for locking our defence.
COYI
David Griffith
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Jermain Defoe confirms medical with AFC Bournemouth
HITC
Saikat Mandal
Jermain Defoe has confirmed that he will be joining AFC Bournemouth this summer. After months of speculation, Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has revealed where he will join this summer. And the club is AFC Bournemouth. The 34-year-old joined the Black Cats in January 2015, and has been an inspirational figure for them. He scored 15 Premier League goals last season but couldn't prevent his side from getting relegated to the Championship. Last month, Sky Sports reported that Defoe has his sight on joining Bournemouth on a free transfer this summer, with the former Tottenham Hotspur reportedly agreeing a three-year deal at Dean Court, worth £65,000-a-week.
Defoe spent the 2000-01 season on loan at Bournemouth from West Ham where he scored in 10 successive matches. The England striker has confirmed that a move to the Cherries is definitely happening, adding he did undergo a medical with the Premier League club. "Well, yeah. It's out there, a lot of people obviously knew," said Defoe, as quoted by the BBC. "I did a medical and said when this is finished and I've had a break, come July everyone will know anyway."
The news will come as a blow to West Ham who were reportedly keen to sign their former striker this summer. Defoe made his name with the Hammers as a youngster, hitting 41 goals in 105 games before moving on to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Sky Sports reported last month that West Ham were set to make a new move to land him in the summer transfer window. Defoe is currently on international duty with the England squad for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Saturday and a friendly against France three days later.
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West Ham's Enner Valencia set to join Champions League club?
by Scott Johnson1 minute agoFollow @greensthammers
West Ham's Enner Valencia could be playing Champions League football next season. After a disappointing season at Everton, leaving Koeman unwilling to spend the money on signing him permanently from West Ham, it seems unlikely. But that's what recent reports have said, linking the player to a move to Besiktas. The Turkish champions are reportedly interested in bringing the Ecuadorian to the Superlig. Given the player's inability to reproduce quality on a regular basis, it seems a strange move. But could there be substance to the rumour? And should the Hammers be selling up, or holding on?
Valencia to Beskitas?
Many fans wanted Valencia gone permanently last summer, so that position is still relevant. Why should the Hammers hold on to a player that was deemed surplus to requirements before? But then West Ham haven't had the best season in front of goal. But the Ecuadorian isn't really the answer there, given he isn't an out and out striker himself. He wasn't a goal machine in his time in East London, and I doubt that he will suddenly be banging in goals left right and centre.
But it doesn't answer why a team who've just won their league would want him? Well if the qualities of Gokhan Tore are to be believed then it seems the Turkish Superlig is a simpler division to be a quality winger in. Someone with pace and the occasional long range thunderbolt would fit right in. Tore was a big force at Beskitas before his loan move to the Hammers, but couldn't cut it in England.
If Besiktas offer anything north of 10m for Valencia the Hammers should snap their hands off. There isn't anything worth negotiating there, because he offers nothing special to the Hammers side. In short I'd rather have Snodgrass still at the club than Valencia come September.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, June 7
Daily WHUFC News - 7th June 2017
Melbourne Hammers excited by Manuel Lanzini and Argentina visit
WHUFC.com
Melbourne Hammers chairperson Katrina Webb cannot wait to see Manuel Lanzini in her home city
The eyes of West Ham United fans will be focused downwards on Friday, when Manuel Lanzini is set to make his Argentina debut against Brazil in Melbourne, Australia. The skilful midfielder earned his maiden call-up to La Albiceleste after producing an outstanding season in Claret and Blue, during which he scored eight goals in 35 impressive Premier League appearances. Now, Lanzini is set to feature alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala when Jorge Sampaoli's squad take on their arch rivals at the MCG on Friday at 11.05am BST. One fan who will have huge interest in the international friendly is Katrina Webb, an Australian chef who also happens to be the chairperson of the Melbourne Hammers supporters' club. "Ever since Manuel Lanzini was named in the squad for Argentina to play against Brazil, quite a few Melbourne Hammers have been scrambling for tickets to see him play," she revealed. "There has been a few people shocked to see him named in the squad but, in my opinion, I'd say he's a good pick and his inclusion will definitely going to bring a few Hammers fans out to the game. "I think that having a Hammer playing in a game this big is going to put West Ham in the spotlight both here in Australia, in Argentina and across the world. I hope Manu has a good game on the night!"
Webb herself has been a Hammer since watching her now beloved team come up agonisingly short in the 2006 FA Cup final against Liverpool.
"I didn't know much at all back then other than every man and his dog supported Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea," she recalled. "For this reason I decided that night I was supporting West Ham because I have never been one to follow the crowd or support a team because they had money or fame. Since that night I've been a Hammer."
Webb has since immersed herself in all things Claret and Blue, travelling to England 'several times' to watch West Ham in action. She also made the much shorter trip to New Zealand when the Hammers visited for a two-match tour in summer 2014. "I got to meet the team and some Hammers I've come to know over the years, through Facebook, who had travelled over from England," she continued. "I saw my first game at Upton Park against Manchester City in 2014, then in the final season there I was in London for a month and went to the Swansea home game and Stoke away with some of the boys on a coach, which was sensational!"
Webb was also in town on 10 May 2016, when she joined tens of thousands of her fellow Hammers in east London for the final matchday at the Boleyn Ground. "I did the rounds with some of the old boys who have been going to games their entire life, spent the day in The Vic in Plaistow and then watched the game in The Stanley," she reminisced. "The number of people there was amazing and the atmosphere was electric."
Webb's fantastic West Ham story does not end there, however, as she revealed the amazing story behind how she met her partner and fellow Hammer Ren. "I met him through the Hammers supporters' groups page on Facebook a few years ago!" she said. "He's a Sydney Hammer who's originally from New Zealand."
The 35-year-old's two sons Jack, five, and Tyler, four, are also West Ham fans, but daughter Chelsea, ten, opted to support her namesake club. Webb's extended West Ham family is even bigger, with more than 600 supporters signed up to the Melbourne Hammers Facebook group – a number that, thanks to her hard work, keeps on growing. "I've put my heart and soul into running the Melbourne Hammers group over the last few years and made lots of connections with people at the Club and also other fans based in London," she concluded. "Most Aussie fans come to me for advice on tickets and pubs when they travel over for games. "All of us will be keeping our focus a bit closer to home on Friday, though, when we hope our little Jewel sparkles in our own fantastic city!"
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Aaron Cresswell enjoys 'brilliant' Royal Marines training experience with England
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell says he and his England teammates are ready to face the Auld Enemy after spending the weekend at the Royal Marines' Commando Training Centre. England manager Gareth Southgate took the Three Lions, including the West Ham United full-back, to Devon for 48 hours, where they changed into their military uniforms and experienced an array of activities that Royal Marines recruits undertake, including a night camping on Woodbury Common. Cresswell told whufc.com he and his England squad-mates enjoyed the challenges presented by the surprise change in environment, and that the team-bonding weekend will stand them in good stead when they take on Scotland at Hampden Park on Saturday. "We were out in the middle of nowhere, all kitted out in the Royal Marines gear and undertaking the training like a Marine recruit," the No3 confirmed. "We had to cook our own food on a campfire and live out in the woods, which was brilliant!
"We also did a few different training courses, working together as one team to pull each other through different exercises. "It definitely helped bring everybody in the squad closer, living in a different environment and doing thing no one was used to! Having no mobile phones was also something which took some getting our heads around!"
The Commando Training Centre's commandant, Colonel Mike Tanner, said he and his staff enjoyed working with Cresswell and company. "It has been a real pleasure," he said. "They threw themselves into every challenge with enthusiasm and good humour. "The Royal Marines and England football team have much in common and the opportunity to share experience was valuable for us all. "We are confident that this will be the start of a long and successful relationship."
England have now returned to their St George's Park training headquarters, where Southgate will continue the squad's preparations for this weekend's FIFA World Cup qualifier in Glasgow. The Three Lions go into the tie sitting top of Group F, six points ahead of the fourth-placed Scots – who will almost certainly include West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass in their side – with five of the ten qualifying matches still to be played. Victory at Hampden Park would therefore give England's qualification chances a huge boost and Cresswell, for one, cannot wait for Saturday's 5pm kick-off, which will be screened live in the UK by ITV and Sky Sports. "Obviously, it's a massive game against Scotland, as it always has been down the years with all the history between the two teams and the two countries," he observed. "It will be good to see Snods, but at the end of the day we want the win and to give ourselves the best possible chance of topping the group and getting to the World Cup in Russia. "The atmosphere will be brilliant, as it was when I was on the bench when Scotland played at Wembley last November, so I am really looking forward to it, that's for sure!"
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U10s win Premier League National Tournament
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U10s reigned victorious at the Premier League's National Football Tournament last week.
The young stars had already won a prestigious indoor tournament in the Netherlands in January and they added the National Football Tournament to their 2016/17 trophy haul.
The tournament was part of a huge week of competition for the Premier League who hosted 24 teams competing across 97 matches.
U10The Hammers topped a competitive Group B after winning five of their seven matches and ended with 16 points. The group featured the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Topping the group resulted in automatic qualification to the semi-finals where the Hammers met Fulham. In a tight contest, West Ham edged out the Cottagers by two goals to one.
The final against Derby County was even closer than the semi-final. The two sides could not be separated after normal time.
The young Irons managed to prevail 5-4 on penalties and lift another trophy to cap off a great season.
There was more reason to cheer once the competition ended when Louie Copley was awarded Player of the Tournament.
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Nordtveit eager to finish season on a high with Norway
WHUFC.com
Havard Nordtveit's season is far from over yet.
The West Ham United midfielder still has a couple of big targets on his mind as he aims to end the 2016/17 campaign on a high with Norway.
While the Norwegians' FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign may have begun with four defeats from five starts, Nordtveit is keen to hit the ground running under new coach Lars Lagerback – the man who led Iceland to the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter-finals last summer.
Nordtveit concedes that this qualification phase has already passed his country by, but says Saturday's Oslo meeting with Czech Republic – followed by a friendly against Scandinavian neighbours Sweden on Tuesday – offer an important opportunity to start building towards Euro 2020.
The 26-year-old midfielder said: "With the new coach of the national team, we need to get the formation in for what we wants, what he did with Iceland and start to get ready for the next qualification process.
"The country deserves [qualification for a tournament] and if we get time with Lars Lagerback we have a big chance to qualify for the Euros in 2020.
"We need to be patient, but we also need to look ourselves in the mirror and say we need to be better than we've shown in the latest qualification games.
Havard Nordtveit battles for possession against Stoke City"What he did with Iceland was unbelievable. They have a population of 350,000 and although we have 4.5-5m, we're still quite a small nation, so we need to get the crowd behind us and he's the one to lead us into that situation.
"We need to play a little bit more aggressively as a team, and be more stable defensively than we ever have been."
The friendly against Sweden also gives Nordtveit and his teammates a chance to restore a little national pride against their local rivals.
He added: "Sweden is the biggest derby for us as a national team. It goes a long way back, so it's going to be good fun. I hope there will be a lot of people at the Ulleval Stadium and we want to give a good performance.
"These two games are good for playing time hopefully and then I'll be ready for pre-season again.
"Last pre-season I struggled and was probably 50% away with small injuries, so hopefully I will have a more stable pre-season this year, which will make it easier when the new season starts."
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Manuel Lanzini named KUMB Player of the Year
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
Manuel Lanzini has been crowned as KUMB.com's Player of the Year.
The Argentinian attacking midfielder beat Hammer of the Year Michail Antonio to the award by just six per cent of all votes, taking 42 per cent of readers' nominations to Antonio's 36 per cent.
Meanwhile Edimilson Fernandes was named as KUMB's Young Player of the Year, beating Josh Cullen and Toni Martinez into second and third place respectively. The Swiss midfielder was also named as KUMB readers' Best Signing, ahead of Athur Masuaku (runner up) and Adre Ayew (third place).
In our other categories, Andy Carroll's overhead kick against Crystal Palace was named as KUMB's Goal of the Season and the 1-0 win over Tottenham as your Most Memorable Match. Pedro Obiang, who came third in the Player of the Year category wins the Most Imporved Player award.
Our readers' rogues gallery this year consists of Gokhan Tore (Worst Player), Simone Zaza (Worst Signing), Dimitri Payet (Hackett of the Year) and Leaving Upton Park (Greatest Disappointment).
To see the results of our 20th annual awards in full, and all previous season's results stretching back to 1997, visit our KUMB Awards section.
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MONCHENGLADBACH WANT A TWO-YEAR LOAN FOR REECE OXFORD
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
After breaking into the West Ham first-team early in the 2015/16 season, the expectation was that this was the start of Reece Oxford's ascent to becoming not only a regular for the Hammers but a rise through the ranks at international level.
However, an ankle injury derailed his progress last autumn and he was then sent out on loan to Reading where he played a bit-part role under Jaap Stam as the Royals lost out to Huddersfield on penalties in the Championship play-off final.
West Ham want to send the versatile 18-year-old out on loan for the 2017/18 so he can play some regular games and return to the London Stadium next year ready to make his mark on the first-team.
Borussia Monchengladbach will be seeing another London loanee in Andreas Christensen return to their parent club Chelsea this summer and are eager to bring in Oxford as a replacement, and like the Christensen deal, they want this to be a two-year loan move for the teenager, according to Bild.
That being said, West Ham are only interested in allowing Oxford to go for one season before reassessing his situation in a years time. The report states that there's optimism on both sides that an agreement can and will be reached.
Monchengladbach have illustrated that they are a great foster home for developing talent and the opportunity to play in the Bundesliga would be a brilliant learning experience for a young player like Oxford who can play in midfield or at the heart of the defence.
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A Mounie and Iheanacho strike partnership could work wonders for West Ham
HITC
Vincent Ralph
West Ham United have reportedly joined the race for Steve Mounie and also look set to sign Kelechi Iheanacho.
According to a report from the Mirror, West Ham United are interested in signing £13million-rated Steve Mounie this summer, and if the Hammers partner him with another alleged target - Kelechi Iheanacho - they could have one of the most exciting and effective strike partnerships in the top flight.
As reported by Sky Sports earlier this month, West Ham have opened talks with Manchester City regarding a prospective move for the latter, and now it seems the Hammers are keen to completely transform their forward line.
That would go down a storm at the London Stadium, and while Iheanacho possesses the raw talent and innate ability in front of goal to become a West Ham fan favourite in no time, Mounie is no slouch himself.
Still only 22, Mounie scored 15 goals in 38 matches for Montpellier last season and for the price being touted he could represent considerable value for money.
The Benin international is only going to improve in the years ahead, and if West Ham can beat the competition to his signature and also secure a deal for Iheanacho, their manager Slaven Bilic would suddenly have a very strong forward line at his disposal, with Andy Carroll also available to him when fit.
Once Michail Antonio returns from injury West Ham could be a real domestic force, and while work would still need to be done in midfield and defence, there would be plenty of rivals looking enviously at the Hammers' striking options.
Mounie's price tag shows there are still bargains to be had in an otherwise inflated market. However West Ham supporters will not be celebrating just yet, with plenty of work to be done behind the scenes before one deal, let along both, is concluded.
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Why the time has come for West Ham to cash in on Andy Carroll and move on
Instead of helping, Carroll is now holding West Ham back
Football London
BYTOM VICTOR
13:17, 6 JUN 2017UPDATED13:30, 6 JUN 2017
Back in January 2014, with West Ham coming fresh off back-to-back cup defeats in which they shipped 11 goals and scored none, under-pressure manager Sam Allardyce was granted a boost with the return of Andy Carroll.
The striker was yet to play since making his loan move from Liverpool permanent, having joined with an injury, but he came off the bench against Cardiff and laid on the clincher in a 2-0 win with a perfectly-weighted through-ball for Mark Noble in the closing stages.
That 20-minute cameo summed up the reason why Andy Carroll has been so important to West Ham United. It also explains why he needs to be sold.
Carroll has spent five seasons at West Ham, during which time he has never played more than 75% of the club's league games. For that to be the case a couple of years in a row would be cause for concern, but a first choice striker being absent so often causes problems for the entire squad. Problems which are entirely avoidable.
For far too long there has been a tendency to overlook other issues with the squad on the grounds that, when Carroll returns from his latest injury, all will be good as new. And, worryingly, he has done enough to give sporadic evidence to support that argument but not enough to provide certainty that a fit and firing Carroll will cure all of the club's ills.
In the 2016/17 season, the former Liverpool man scored seven league goals. It can be a little reductive to ignore his impact elsewhere on the pitch, but the fact remains that – if you took away those goals from the games in question – West Ham would have ended the campaign just two points worse off. That stat, incidentally, refers to the only time all season he struck more than once in the same game, in January's 3-1 victory at Middlesbrough.
The 1-0 victory at home to Tottenham and the late 3-2 defeat at White Hart Lane, two of the most impressive team performances of the season, came without Carroll in the squad. They demonstrate that the club can perform without the big man up front, and indeed there can still occasionally be a tendency to change to a more direct approach when he is involved.
To operate on the mindset that the return of one man can paper over cracks is both a disservice to the quality elsewhere in the squad and a convenient excuse to ignore other areas which do need attention.
Shifting Carroll last season would have allowed the board to push ahead with a move for a proven striker capable of putting together a consistent run of games rather than effectively pausing any forward momentum with the intention of flicking the Carroll switch for that quick attacking endorphin boost four or five times a season. It's not healthy to rely on a player to give you the equivalent of a new manager bounce, especially not a player who may be better than the alternatives but is not substantially so.
Of course, there is no guarantee that a new investment will stay fit themselves – just look at Andre Ayew's debut injury – but there is a difference between that and having a player for whom injury-related absences are just part and parcel of their presence in the squad. There remains a sense that some felt there was no need to go all out on a big-money striker because Carroll was on the payroll, prompting the club to bring in two strikers on loan and one on a free transfer, with predictable results.
If West Ham can recoup the £15m it took to bring Carroll to London from Anfield, and perhaps a little more on top given the inflated market, it is hard to argue against parting ways with the England international.
A new permanent striker with a remit of being the main man – rather than the softly-softly approach afforded to Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri – would allow the club to begin the next season with a settled starting XI, and if there's a chance to wrap up business early that would be even better.
It may be the case that Carroll moves on, stays fit and tears up the Premier League. But even if he does, there will have been little logic in pinning everything on a striker who hasn't hit double figures for goals in one season since 2011.
The Carroll experiment hasn't failed – far from it – but it will be healthier for all concerned if West Ham start a new chapter without him.
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SIGNING: Daggers Announce Signing of Bondz N'Gala
Posted: Tue 06 Jun 2017
www.daggers.co.uk
The Daggers are pleased to announce the signing of 27-year-old centre-back Bondz N'Gala from National League side Dover Athletic on a two year deal. N'Gala started his career at West Ham United, joining the Club at the age of 13 and progressing through the youth ranks at the club. After signing a professional contract in 2008, the defender featured regularly in the Club's reserve side for several seasons, as well as captaining the reserves on several occasions.
Bondz was then loaned out to both Weymouth and MK Dons between the 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons. After returning to West Ham at the end of his loan spell at Milton Keynes Bondz continued to play the remainder of the season in the reserve side.
In September 2009 N'Gala made his first team debut for West Ham United, coming on in the 63rd minute in the club's 3-1 League Cup defeat away to Bolton Wanderers.
Following his time at West Ham he spent time out on loan at Scunthorpe United and Plymouth Argyle in which he made nine appearances for the Pilgrims
After being released by West Ham the defender joined Plymouth Argyle on a permanent basis signing a two-year contract with the Club. He scored his first professional goal in March 2011, netting the first goal of the match in the Pilgrims 4-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. He made 28 appearances in all competitions during the campaign. The defender was told he was free to leave the Club after they hit financial issues and joined several League clubs in the period between 2011-2014 including Yeovil, Stevenage and Portsmouth until he signed for Barnet in July 2014.
The Defender played 107 times during his spell with the Bees, scoring two goals. N'Gala then moved to National League side Eastleigh in November but left two months later by mutual consent.
While N'Gala was a free agent he seemingly signed for League One side Gillingham, however later that day the deal fell through as the Club became aware on the same day that due to FA regulations the player had played for too many teams in one season. N'Gala signed for Dover Athletic following talks with the FA and the EFL. He signed until the end of the season with an option for a longer deal upon his contract ending.
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West Ham face competition from Liverpool for 'number one target' €25m German striker
The Hammers are said to be interested in a move for Timo Werner
Football London
BYKEVIN BEIRNE
09:31, 6 JUN 2017UPDATED09:33, 6 JUN 2017
West Ham have identified RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner as their 'number one target' this summer, according to reports from Italy.
The 21-year-old impressed this season in the Bundesliga, scoring 21 goals in 31 league appearances as Leipzig finished second ahead of Borussia Dortmund. But the Hammers will face stiff competition for the German's signature from fellow Premier League side Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp marked Werner down as one of his priorities this summer, and so West Ham are considering a €25m bid to secure his services ahead of the Reds.
Emanuele Giulianelli @EmaGiulianelli
West Ham looking at Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, target number one. Not bid yet, but ready to offer €25 mln. #hammers #whfc
10:52 PM - 5 Jun 2017 · Corsico, Lombardia
West Ham have been linked with a number of strikers already this transfer window, and are said to be closing in on a move for Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho. The club have apparently agreed terms with the Nigerian striker, as well as a fee with City, but the two sides cannot agree on how much to set a buy-back clause at.
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Aston Villa are better move than German switch for West Ham prodigy in limbo Reece Oxford
HITC
Damien Lucas
Aston Villa would offer the perfect destination for West Ham United prodigy Reece Oxford next season rather than a bizarre move to Germany. According to The Sun, the supremely talented Oxford is set to be farmed out on a season-long loan to German side Borussia Monchengladbach to gain more first-team experience. Oxford shot to prominence when he made his debut with a midfield masterclass in a 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates in the opening game of the 2015/16 season aged just 16. He has found game time hard to come by since with Slaven Bilic reluctant to use him and a loan spell at Reading failing to work out.
Speculation was rife over the 6ft 5 teenager's future for much of last season with reports in the likes of the Mirror that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was one of a clutch of managers at Europe's top clubs keen on securing his signature. Talk was put to bed when the youngster signed a long term deal with the Hammers which was expected to see him fast tracked into an ageing West Ham defence.
But he is now being linked with a move to Germany to join flop midfielder Havard Nordtveit's old club. If Oxford, his advisors and Bilic have any sense, though, they would seek out a move to Villa Park for a season to accelerate his football education and return to East London an even better and matured player.
The move would be perfect for all parties, the player, West Ham and Villa and here's why:
Bruce a former centre back that has been there, done it and got the t-shirt
Steve Bruce is not only a very experienced and successful manager but he also formed the bedrock of one of Manchester United's most successful defensive units.
Oxford cannot help but learn a vast amount under his tutelage of what is expected at the highest level.
Bruce could mould the player into a top class centre half for club and country.
Game time
While many supporters feel Oxford should be given more of a chance in the first team, given the number of experienced players West Ham have in defence, Oxford is unlikely to play as much as he would like with the Hammers next season. He is undoubtedly the club's brightest prospect and West Ham fans will hope he has a long and bright future with them. But to do that he must get senior first team games under his belt and Aston Villa can offer him that, while his supreme talent will also help the the club in their quest to mount a serious bid to return to the Premier League.
Big club with big expectations
The great thing about Villa is the fact they are very similar to West Ham in that they have a loyal and passionate fanbase, who aren't afraid to let their teams know when they're not giving 100%. With the pressure to be promoted, Villa would offer Oxford a steep learning curve which can only be of benefit to his long-term future.
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West Ham and Southampton target hands in transfer request at Juventus - report
The Ghanian midfielder is out of favour in Turin
Football London
BYANDY HA
05:00, 6 JUN 2017
West Ham are interested in signing Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah. According to reports in Italy, the Ghana star is keen to leave the Champions League finalists this summer and has handed in a transfer request. The Hammers are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer and have reportedly made contact with the 28-year-old's representatives already. However, Slaven Bilic's team are not the only side interested in signing the former Udinese player. Fellow Premier League side Southampton and Turkish giants Galatasaray have already made offers to sign the 28-year-old, according to Ibianconero. Chelsea were previously linked with a move for the midfielder earlier this season with Juventus resisting the Blues' advances at the time, but the Serie A champions are thought to be open to offers for Asamoah this summer, and will be happy to sell for the right price. The midfielder joined Max Allegri's side from Udinese for €18 million in 2012 and has delivered two assists in 24 appearances this season.
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Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph could be replaced by Keiren Westwood for World Cup qualifier against Austria
West Ham 'keeper Darren Randolph's place in the Ireland team is under threat
Randolph was substituted after making an error against Uruguay on Sunday
Keiren Westwood came on at half-time and could retain his place in the side
Ireland next face Austria in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin on Sunday night
By Craig Hope for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 23:18, 5 June 2017 | UPDATED: 23:18, 5 June 2017
West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph's place in the Republic of Ireland team is under threat from Sheffield Wednesday's Keiren Westwood heading into this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Austria. Randolph has been his country's No 1 for the best part of 18 months now and has deserved his prolonged stay in the side. However, he was at fault for Uruguay's equaliser during Sunday night's 3-1 friendly win in Dublin and was replaced by Westwood at half-time. The understudy impressed in the second half - he pulled off one flying save with the score at 1-1 - and manager Martin O'Neill admits he has a decision to make ahead of Sunday's game at the Aviva Stadium. 'I have plenty to contemplate,' he said when asked about the goalkeeping situation. 'I've been very pleased with both goalkeepers. Obviously I knew Westy at club level (at Sunderland) and you know my view of him - he's a really talented goalkeeper, just get his head right and he's great. 'Well he's really fine now. I think he's got over the team losing out in the play-offs and I think he made a really good save. And Darren, I don't think he's let us down too often.'
One player guaranteed to start is West Brom winger James McClean. He has emerged as something of a talisman with three goals during this qualifying campaign and he was again on target against Uruguay. Indeed, his late strike after coming on as a substitute was a carbon copy of the goal he scored to beat Austria in Vienna in November - a powerful finish after bursting clear down the left - and O'Neill hopes that is a good omen. 'Yes, it bodes well. It was a very similar goal, he picks it up and goes. He's on a pretty big high right now,' said the manager. 'He played left-back against Mexico last week, but I'm not so sure he wants to play there again.'
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WEST HAM JOIN LIVERPOOL IN THE RACE TO SIGN TIMO WERNER
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
readWestHam
Timo Werner was the driving force behind Red Bull Leipzig's surge up the Bundesliga table this season, helping them secure a second-placed finish and an automatic spot in next season's Champions League. The 21-year-old striker scored 21 goals and provided seven assists for Leipzig and was rewarded with his first cap for Germany back in March for his efforts. Werner has attracted the interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and Liverpool, both of whom have Champions League football next season, but another team have entered the race. Journalist Emanuele Giulianelli has claimed that West Ham are now looking at Werner and have made him their number one striker target. He goes on to mention that the Hammers are ready to make a €25m offer to sign the German striker this summer.
Many clubs are eager to sign Werner and it's likely that he will leave Leipzig, but West Ham appear to have made the first move in this saga that will drag on for much of the window.
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WEST HAM READYING WERNER BID
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
ReadWestHam
West Ham are preparing an audacious swoop to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner this summer, according to Emanuele Giulianelli. The young German striker enjoyed a quite simply sublime season with Leipzig, firing them to a high finish in the Bundesliga and helping them become a potent force near the top of the league. His clinical nature and ability to get in behind helped Leipzig to become one of the most attractive teams to watch in Germany. However, this has not gone unnoticed and he is attracting interest from several clubs. Liverpool have been cited with interest in recent times. Giulianelli interestingly states that West Ham would be prepared to cough up a huge sum of €25m, which would be a huge sign of intent from the club as they look to avoid an underwhelming campaign again. The Hammers are in need of more attacking inspiration and pulling off the unlikely signing of Werner would almost certainly provide that.
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Transfer Rumours – Goalkeepers
MooreThan Just A Club
Transfer News
POSTED BY: DAVE EDNEY 05/06/2017
Now that we are officially in the twilight zone, in other words, pre "pre-season" mode, it's time to look at the many West Ham transfer rumours currently doing the rounds. It should be said that this is officially "silly season", a period in which deals are very seldom done and which therefore gives journalists carte blanche to make up any old rubbish in the hope that it might sell a few papers.
Sifting through these can prove to be difficult especially when there are so many sources out there these days. It's not just newspaper reporters, there are so-called experts everywhere, some with apparent "close" connections to the club providing us with daily bulletins via blog posts (just like this one). If you ask me it's information overload. Give me the days when the only way you could find out if someone had moved was reading it in the Daily Express the following morning.
We will start with the first line of defense – Goalkeepers
West Ham's defensive record was poor last year but you couldn't always blame it on our No.1… However, neither Adrián nor Darren Randolph played consistently well in front of a porous defense so it's not surprising that we should be linked with an upgrade. But do we really need to strengthen in this area? The candidates are;
JORDAN PICKFORD (Sunderland)
Talented 23-year-old who couldn't keep Sunderland up but who could just be the next big thing in British Football. Still a bit raw but if it hadn't been for his performances his team would have faired far worse than they did, which is saying something. It has been suggested that the deal could involve Adrián going in the opposite direction. The thing is, is he the keeper to be replaced? Randolph seems to be the obvious choice particularly as Adrián has just signed a new contract that, one would imagine, has made certain promises regarding his position in the pecking order. Also, there is the possibility of a £15 million pound fee for Pickford which is a lot of money considering we will probably need to spend it on other areas of the team. One thing seems likely though and that is that Pickford will be playing Premier League football next season, but with whom?
JOHN RUDDY (Norwich City)
30-year-old England international available on a free transfer having spent the last seven seasons playing for The Canaries. Looked a very capable keeper the last time Norwich were in the Premier League, and won his first England cap. His position within that squad was lost however when Delia Smith's boys got relegated. Despite being among the favourites to return to the top flight this season, Norwich failed to do so and Ruddy lost his first team place. With his contract expiring it's more than a little surprising that they have decided to let him go which makes you wonder what kind of form he's been in over the last 6 months. Would Ruddy for Randolph be considered an upgrade? Would he be happy warming the bench as Adrián's No.2? Stranger things have happened.
JOE HART (Manchester City)
Like him or not, he is still England's No.1. On loan to Torino last season, a team that shifted 66 goals (two more than West Ham), yet Torino wanted to retain his services so he must have made an impression of sorts. Needs to come back to England in order to preserve his international position, particularly with the likes of Butland & Pickford breathing down his neck. One would imagine that Hart would go to a Top Six team with European football and not to a mid-table side like us. All the ambition in the world may not be enough to lure him to the London Stadium and his wages would be astronomical. He would be a signing that would declare some intent which is why I think we are being linked with him and also why I don't think it will happen.
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY (Arsenal)
Another keeper out on loan to a Serie A team, this time with Roma, the Polish international has been in excellent form over the last two seasons and if talks with Arsene Wenger prove fruitless it's possible that he will be looking to secure a permanent deal elsewhere. We have apparently taken an interest in the situation but with recent reports suggesting that Juventus are thinking of making a bid of about £13 million I think it's likely that the 27-year-old will remain in Italy.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Melbourne Hammers chairperson Katrina Webb cannot wait to see Manuel Lanzini in her home city
The eyes of West Ham United fans will be focused downwards on Friday, when Manuel Lanzini is set to make his Argentina debut against Brazil in Melbourne, Australia. The skilful midfielder earned his maiden call-up to La Albiceleste after producing an outstanding season in Claret and Blue, during which he scored eight goals in 35 impressive Premier League appearances. Now, Lanzini is set to feature alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala when Jorge Sampaoli's squad take on their arch rivals at the MCG on Friday at 11.05am BST. One fan who will have huge interest in the international friendly is Katrina Webb, an Australian chef who also happens to be the chairperson of the Melbourne Hammers supporters' club. "Ever since Manuel Lanzini was named in the squad for Argentina to play against Brazil, quite a few Melbourne Hammers have been scrambling for tickets to see him play," she revealed. "There has been a few people shocked to see him named in the squad but, in my opinion, I'd say he's a good pick and his inclusion will definitely going to bring a few Hammers fans out to the game. "I think that having a Hammer playing in a game this big is going to put West Ham in the spotlight both here in Australia, in Argentina and across the world. I hope Manu has a good game on the night!"
Webb herself has been a Hammer since watching her now beloved team come up agonisingly short in the 2006 FA Cup final against Liverpool.
"I didn't know much at all back then other than every man and his dog supported Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea," she recalled. "For this reason I decided that night I was supporting West Ham because I have never been one to follow the crowd or support a team because they had money or fame. Since that night I've been a Hammer."
Webb has since immersed herself in all things Claret and Blue, travelling to England 'several times' to watch West Ham in action. She also made the much shorter trip to New Zealand when the Hammers visited for a two-match tour in summer 2014. "I got to meet the team and some Hammers I've come to know over the years, through Facebook, who had travelled over from England," she continued. "I saw my first game at Upton Park against Manchester City in 2014, then in the final season there I was in London for a month and went to the Swansea home game and Stoke away with some of the boys on a coach, which was sensational!"
Webb was also in town on 10 May 2016, when she joined tens of thousands of her fellow Hammers in east London for the final matchday at the Boleyn Ground. "I did the rounds with some of the old boys who have been going to games their entire life, spent the day in The Vic in Plaistow and then watched the game in The Stanley," she reminisced. "The number of people there was amazing and the atmosphere was electric."
Webb's fantastic West Ham story does not end there, however, as she revealed the amazing story behind how she met her partner and fellow Hammer Ren. "I met him through the Hammers supporters' groups page on Facebook a few years ago!" she said. "He's a Sydney Hammer who's originally from New Zealand."
The 35-year-old's two sons Jack, five, and Tyler, four, are also West Ham fans, but daughter Chelsea, ten, opted to support her namesake club. Webb's extended West Ham family is even bigger, with more than 600 supporters signed up to the Melbourne Hammers Facebook group – a number that, thanks to her hard work, keeps on growing. "I've put my heart and soul into running the Melbourne Hammers group over the last few years and made lots of connections with people at the Club and also other fans based in London," she concluded. "Most Aussie fans come to me for advice on tickets and pubs when they travel over for games. "All of us will be keeping our focus a bit closer to home on Friday, though, when we hope our little Jewel sparkles in our own fantastic city!"
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Aaron Cresswell enjoys 'brilliant' Royal Marines training experience with England
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell says he and his England teammates are ready to face the Auld Enemy after spending the weekend at the Royal Marines' Commando Training Centre. England manager Gareth Southgate took the Three Lions, including the West Ham United full-back, to Devon for 48 hours, where they changed into their military uniforms and experienced an array of activities that Royal Marines recruits undertake, including a night camping on Woodbury Common. Cresswell told whufc.com he and his England squad-mates enjoyed the challenges presented by the surprise change in environment, and that the team-bonding weekend will stand them in good stead when they take on Scotland at Hampden Park on Saturday. "We were out in the middle of nowhere, all kitted out in the Royal Marines gear and undertaking the training like a Marine recruit," the No3 confirmed. "We had to cook our own food on a campfire and live out in the woods, which was brilliant!
"We also did a few different training courses, working together as one team to pull each other through different exercises. "It definitely helped bring everybody in the squad closer, living in a different environment and doing thing no one was used to! Having no mobile phones was also something which took some getting our heads around!"
The Commando Training Centre's commandant, Colonel Mike Tanner, said he and his staff enjoyed working with Cresswell and company. "It has been a real pleasure," he said. "They threw themselves into every challenge with enthusiasm and good humour. "The Royal Marines and England football team have much in common and the opportunity to share experience was valuable for us all. "We are confident that this will be the start of a long and successful relationship."
England have now returned to their St George's Park training headquarters, where Southgate will continue the squad's preparations for this weekend's FIFA World Cup qualifier in Glasgow. The Three Lions go into the tie sitting top of Group F, six points ahead of the fourth-placed Scots – who will almost certainly include West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass in their side – with five of the ten qualifying matches still to be played. Victory at Hampden Park would therefore give England's qualification chances a huge boost and Cresswell, for one, cannot wait for Saturday's 5pm kick-off, which will be screened live in the UK by ITV and Sky Sports. "Obviously, it's a massive game against Scotland, as it always has been down the years with all the history between the two teams and the two countries," he observed. "It will be good to see Snods, but at the end of the day we want the win and to give ourselves the best possible chance of topping the group and getting to the World Cup in Russia. "The atmosphere will be brilliant, as it was when I was on the bench when Scotland played at Wembley last November, so I am really looking forward to it, that's for sure!"
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U10s win Premier League National Tournament
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U10s reigned victorious at the Premier League's National Football Tournament last week.
The young stars had already won a prestigious indoor tournament in the Netherlands in January and they added the National Football Tournament to their 2016/17 trophy haul.
The tournament was part of a huge week of competition for the Premier League who hosted 24 teams competing across 97 matches.
U10The Hammers topped a competitive Group B after winning five of their seven matches and ended with 16 points. The group featured the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Topping the group resulted in automatic qualification to the semi-finals where the Hammers met Fulham. In a tight contest, West Ham edged out the Cottagers by two goals to one.
The final against Derby County was even closer than the semi-final. The two sides could not be separated after normal time.
The young Irons managed to prevail 5-4 on penalties and lift another trophy to cap off a great season.
There was more reason to cheer once the competition ended when Louie Copley was awarded Player of the Tournament.
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Nordtveit eager to finish season on a high with Norway
WHUFC.com
Havard Nordtveit's season is far from over yet.
The West Ham United midfielder still has a couple of big targets on his mind as he aims to end the 2016/17 campaign on a high with Norway.
While the Norwegians' FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign may have begun with four defeats from five starts, Nordtveit is keen to hit the ground running under new coach Lars Lagerback – the man who led Iceland to the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter-finals last summer.
Nordtveit concedes that this qualification phase has already passed his country by, but says Saturday's Oslo meeting with Czech Republic – followed by a friendly against Scandinavian neighbours Sweden on Tuesday – offer an important opportunity to start building towards Euro 2020.
The 26-year-old midfielder said: "With the new coach of the national team, we need to get the formation in for what we wants, what he did with Iceland and start to get ready for the next qualification process.
"The country deserves [qualification for a tournament] and if we get time with Lars Lagerback we have a big chance to qualify for the Euros in 2020.
"We need to be patient, but we also need to look ourselves in the mirror and say we need to be better than we've shown in the latest qualification games.
Havard Nordtveit battles for possession against Stoke City"What he did with Iceland was unbelievable. They have a population of 350,000 and although we have 4.5-5m, we're still quite a small nation, so we need to get the crowd behind us and he's the one to lead us into that situation.
"We need to play a little bit more aggressively as a team, and be more stable defensively than we ever have been."
The friendly against Sweden also gives Nordtveit and his teammates a chance to restore a little national pride against their local rivals.
He added: "Sweden is the biggest derby for us as a national team. It goes a long way back, so it's going to be good fun. I hope there will be a lot of people at the Ulleval Stadium and we want to give a good performance.
"These two games are good for playing time hopefully and then I'll be ready for pre-season again.
"Last pre-season I struggled and was probably 50% away with small injuries, so hopefully I will have a more stable pre-season this year, which will make it easier when the new season starts."
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Manuel Lanzini named KUMB Player of the Year
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
Manuel Lanzini has been crowned as KUMB.com's Player of the Year.
The Argentinian attacking midfielder beat Hammer of the Year Michail Antonio to the award by just six per cent of all votes, taking 42 per cent of readers' nominations to Antonio's 36 per cent.
Meanwhile Edimilson Fernandes was named as KUMB's Young Player of the Year, beating Josh Cullen and Toni Martinez into second and third place respectively. The Swiss midfielder was also named as KUMB readers' Best Signing, ahead of Athur Masuaku (runner up) and Adre Ayew (third place).
In our other categories, Andy Carroll's overhead kick against Crystal Palace was named as KUMB's Goal of the Season and the 1-0 win over Tottenham as your Most Memorable Match. Pedro Obiang, who came third in the Player of the Year category wins the Most Imporved Player award.
Our readers' rogues gallery this year consists of Gokhan Tore (Worst Player), Simone Zaza (Worst Signing), Dimitri Payet (Hackett of the Year) and Leaving Upton Park (Greatest Disappointment).
To see the results of our 20th annual awards in full, and all previous season's results stretching back to 1997, visit our KUMB Awards section.
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MONCHENGLADBACH WANT A TWO-YEAR LOAN FOR REECE OXFORD
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
After breaking into the West Ham first-team early in the 2015/16 season, the expectation was that this was the start of Reece Oxford's ascent to becoming not only a regular for the Hammers but a rise through the ranks at international level.
However, an ankle injury derailed his progress last autumn and he was then sent out on loan to Reading where he played a bit-part role under Jaap Stam as the Royals lost out to Huddersfield on penalties in the Championship play-off final.
West Ham want to send the versatile 18-year-old out on loan for the 2017/18 so he can play some regular games and return to the London Stadium next year ready to make his mark on the first-team.
Borussia Monchengladbach will be seeing another London loanee in Andreas Christensen return to their parent club Chelsea this summer and are eager to bring in Oxford as a replacement, and like the Christensen deal, they want this to be a two-year loan move for the teenager, according to Bild.
That being said, West Ham are only interested in allowing Oxford to go for one season before reassessing his situation in a years time. The report states that there's optimism on both sides that an agreement can and will be reached.
Monchengladbach have illustrated that they are a great foster home for developing talent and the opportunity to play in the Bundesliga would be a brilliant learning experience for a young player like Oxford who can play in midfield or at the heart of the defence.
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A Mounie and Iheanacho strike partnership could work wonders for West Ham
HITC
Vincent Ralph
West Ham United have reportedly joined the race for Steve Mounie and also look set to sign Kelechi Iheanacho.
According to a report from the Mirror, West Ham United are interested in signing £13million-rated Steve Mounie this summer, and if the Hammers partner him with another alleged target - Kelechi Iheanacho - they could have one of the most exciting and effective strike partnerships in the top flight.
As reported by Sky Sports earlier this month, West Ham have opened talks with Manchester City regarding a prospective move for the latter, and now it seems the Hammers are keen to completely transform their forward line.
That would go down a storm at the London Stadium, and while Iheanacho possesses the raw talent and innate ability in front of goal to become a West Ham fan favourite in no time, Mounie is no slouch himself.
Still only 22, Mounie scored 15 goals in 38 matches for Montpellier last season and for the price being touted he could represent considerable value for money.
The Benin international is only going to improve in the years ahead, and if West Ham can beat the competition to his signature and also secure a deal for Iheanacho, their manager Slaven Bilic would suddenly have a very strong forward line at his disposal, with Andy Carroll also available to him when fit.
Once Michail Antonio returns from injury West Ham could be a real domestic force, and while work would still need to be done in midfield and defence, there would be plenty of rivals looking enviously at the Hammers' striking options.
Mounie's price tag shows there are still bargains to be had in an otherwise inflated market. However West Ham supporters will not be celebrating just yet, with plenty of work to be done behind the scenes before one deal, let along both, is concluded.
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Why the time has come for West Ham to cash in on Andy Carroll and move on
Instead of helping, Carroll is now holding West Ham back
Football London
BYTOM VICTOR
13:17, 6 JUN 2017UPDATED13:30, 6 JUN 2017
Back in January 2014, with West Ham coming fresh off back-to-back cup defeats in which they shipped 11 goals and scored none, under-pressure manager Sam Allardyce was granted a boost with the return of Andy Carroll.
The striker was yet to play since making his loan move from Liverpool permanent, having joined with an injury, but he came off the bench against Cardiff and laid on the clincher in a 2-0 win with a perfectly-weighted through-ball for Mark Noble in the closing stages.
That 20-minute cameo summed up the reason why Andy Carroll has been so important to West Ham United. It also explains why he needs to be sold.
Carroll has spent five seasons at West Ham, during which time he has never played more than 75% of the club's league games. For that to be the case a couple of years in a row would be cause for concern, but a first choice striker being absent so often causes problems for the entire squad. Problems which are entirely avoidable.
For far too long there has been a tendency to overlook other issues with the squad on the grounds that, when Carroll returns from his latest injury, all will be good as new. And, worryingly, he has done enough to give sporadic evidence to support that argument but not enough to provide certainty that a fit and firing Carroll will cure all of the club's ills.
In the 2016/17 season, the former Liverpool man scored seven league goals. It can be a little reductive to ignore his impact elsewhere on the pitch, but the fact remains that – if you took away those goals from the games in question – West Ham would have ended the campaign just two points worse off. That stat, incidentally, refers to the only time all season he struck more than once in the same game, in January's 3-1 victory at Middlesbrough.
The 1-0 victory at home to Tottenham and the late 3-2 defeat at White Hart Lane, two of the most impressive team performances of the season, came without Carroll in the squad. They demonstrate that the club can perform without the big man up front, and indeed there can still occasionally be a tendency to change to a more direct approach when he is involved.
To operate on the mindset that the return of one man can paper over cracks is both a disservice to the quality elsewhere in the squad and a convenient excuse to ignore other areas which do need attention.
Shifting Carroll last season would have allowed the board to push ahead with a move for a proven striker capable of putting together a consistent run of games rather than effectively pausing any forward momentum with the intention of flicking the Carroll switch for that quick attacking endorphin boost four or five times a season. It's not healthy to rely on a player to give you the equivalent of a new manager bounce, especially not a player who may be better than the alternatives but is not substantially so.
Of course, there is no guarantee that a new investment will stay fit themselves – just look at Andre Ayew's debut injury – but there is a difference between that and having a player for whom injury-related absences are just part and parcel of their presence in the squad. There remains a sense that some felt there was no need to go all out on a big-money striker because Carroll was on the payroll, prompting the club to bring in two strikers on loan and one on a free transfer, with predictable results.
If West Ham can recoup the £15m it took to bring Carroll to London from Anfield, and perhaps a little more on top given the inflated market, it is hard to argue against parting ways with the England international.
A new permanent striker with a remit of being the main man – rather than the softly-softly approach afforded to Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri – would allow the club to begin the next season with a settled starting XI, and if there's a chance to wrap up business early that would be even better.
It may be the case that Carroll moves on, stays fit and tears up the Premier League. But even if he does, there will have been little logic in pinning everything on a striker who hasn't hit double figures for goals in one season since 2011.
The Carroll experiment hasn't failed – far from it – but it will be healthier for all concerned if West Ham start a new chapter without him.
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SIGNING: Daggers Announce Signing of Bondz N'Gala
Posted: Tue 06 Jun 2017
www.daggers.co.uk
The Daggers are pleased to announce the signing of 27-year-old centre-back Bondz N'Gala from National League side Dover Athletic on a two year deal. N'Gala started his career at West Ham United, joining the Club at the age of 13 and progressing through the youth ranks at the club. After signing a professional contract in 2008, the defender featured regularly in the Club's reserve side for several seasons, as well as captaining the reserves on several occasions.
Bondz was then loaned out to both Weymouth and MK Dons between the 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons. After returning to West Ham at the end of his loan spell at Milton Keynes Bondz continued to play the remainder of the season in the reserve side.
In September 2009 N'Gala made his first team debut for West Ham United, coming on in the 63rd minute in the club's 3-1 League Cup defeat away to Bolton Wanderers.
Following his time at West Ham he spent time out on loan at Scunthorpe United and Plymouth Argyle in which he made nine appearances for the Pilgrims
After being released by West Ham the defender joined Plymouth Argyle on a permanent basis signing a two-year contract with the Club. He scored his first professional goal in March 2011, netting the first goal of the match in the Pilgrims 4-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. He made 28 appearances in all competitions during the campaign. The defender was told he was free to leave the Club after they hit financial issues and joined several League clubs in the period between 2011-2014 including Yeovil, Stevenage and Portsmouth until he signed for Barnet in July 2014.
The Defender played 107 times during his spell with the Bees, scoring two goals. N'Gala then moved to National League side Eastleigh in November but left two months later by mutual consent.
While N'Gala was a free agent he seemingly signed for League One side Gillingham, however later that day the deal fell through as the Club became aware on the same day that due to FA regulations the player had played for too many teams in one season. N'Gala signed for Dover Athletic following talks with the FA and the EFL. He signed until the end of the season with an option for a longer deal upon his contract ending.
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West Ham face competition from Liverpool for 'number one target' €25m German striker
The Hammers are said to be interested in a move for Timo Werner
Football London
BYKEVIN BEIRNE
09:31, 6 JUN 2017UPDATED09:33, 6 JUN 2017
West Ham have identified RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner as their 'number one target' this summer, according to reports from Italy.
The 21-year-old impressed this season in the Bundesliga, scoring 21 goals in 31 league appearances as Leipzig finished second ahead of Borussia Dortmund. But the Hammers will face stiff competition for the German's signature from fellow Premier League side Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp marked Werner down as one of his priorities this summer, and so West Ham are considering a €25m bid to secure his services ahead of the Reds.
Emanuele Giulianelli @EmaGiulianelli
West Ham looking at Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, target number one. Not bid yet, but ready to offer €25 mln. #hammers #whfc
10:52 PM - 5 Jun 2017 · Corsico, Lombardia
West Ham have been linked with a number of strikers already this transfer window, and are said to be closing in on a move for Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho. The club have apparently agreed terms with the Nigerian striker, as well as a fee with City, but the two sides cannot agree on how much to set a buy-back clause at.
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Aston Villa are better move than German switch for West Ham prodigy in limbo Reece Oxford
HITC
Damien Lucas
Aston Villa would offer the perfect destination for West Ham United prodigy Reece Oxford next season rather than a bizarre move to Germany. According to The Sun, the supremely talented Oxford is set to be farmed out on a season-long loan to German side Borussia Monchengladbach to gain more first-team experience. Oxford shot to prominence when he made his debut with a midfield masterclass in a 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates in the opening game of the 2015/16 season aged just 16. He has found game time hard to come by since with Slaven Bilic reluctant to use him and a loan spell at Reading failing to work out.
Speculation was rife over the 6ft 5 teenager's future for much of last season with reports in the likes of the Mirror that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was one of a clutch of managers at Europe's top clubs keen on securing his signature. Talk was put to bed when the youngster signed a long term deal with the Hammers which was expected to see him fast tracked into an ageing West Ham defence.
But he is now being linked with a move to Germany to join flop midfielder Havard Nordtveit's old club. If Oxford, his advisors and Bilic have any sense, though, they would seek out a move to Villa Park for a season to accelerate his football education and return to East London an even better and matured player.
The move would be perfect for all parties, the player, West Ham and Villa and here's why:
Bruce a former centre back that has been there, done it and got the t-shirt
Steve Bruce is not only a very experienced and successful manager but he also formed the bedrock of one of Manchester United's most successful defensive units.
Oxford cannot help but learn a vast amount under his tutelage of what is expected at the highest level.
Bruce could mould the player into a top class centre half for club and country.
Game time
While many supporters feel Oxford should be given more of a chance in the first team, given the number of experienced players West Ham have in defence, Oxford is unlikely to play as much as he would like with the Hammers next season. He is undoubtedly the club's brightest prospect and West Ham fans will hope he has a long and bright future with them. But to do that he must get senior first team games under his belt and Aston Villa can offer him that, while his supreme talent will also help the the club in their quest to mount a serious bid to return to the Premier League.
Big club with big expectations
The great thing about Villa is the fact they are very similar to West Ham in that they have a loyal and passionate fanbase, who aren't afraid to let their teams know when they're not giving 100%. With the pressure to be promoted, Villa would offer Oxford a steep learning curve which can only be of benefit to his long-term future.
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West Ham and Southampton target hands in transfer request at Juventus - report
The Ghanian midfielder is out of favour in Turin
Football London
BYANDY HA
05:00, 6 JUN 2017
West Ham are interested in signing Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah. According to reports in Italy, the Ghana star is keen to leave the Champions League finalists this summer and has handed in a transfer request. The Hammers are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer and have reportedly made contact with the 28-year-old's representatives already. However, Slaven Bilic's team are not the only side interested in signing the former Udinese player. Fellow Premier League side Southampton and Turkish giants Galatasaray have already made offers to sign the 28-year-old, according to Ibianconero. Chelsea were previously linked with a move for the midfielder earlier this season with Juventus resisting the Blues' advances at the time, but the Serie A champions are thought to be open to offers for Asamoah this summer, and will be happy to sell for the right price. The midfielder joined Max Allegri's side from Udinese for €18 million in 2012 and has delivered two assists in 24 appearances this season.
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Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph could be replaced by Keiren Westwood for World Cup qualifier against Austria
West Ham 'keeper Darren Randolph's place in the Ireland team is under threat
Randolph was substituted after making an error against Uruguay on Sunday
Keiren Westwood came on at half-time and could retain his place in the side
Ireland next face Austria in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin on Sunday night
By Craig Hope for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 23:18, 5 June 2017 | UPDATED: 23:18, 5 June 2017
West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph's place in the Republic of Ireland team is under threat from Sheffield Wednesday's Keiren Westwood heading into this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Austria. Randolph has been his country's No 1 for the best part of 18 months now and has deserved his prolonged stay in the side. However, he was at fault for Uruguay's equaliser during Sunday night's 3-1 friendly win in Dublin and was replaced by Westwood at half-time. The understudy impressed in the second half - he pulled off one flying save with the score at 1-1 - and manager Martin O'Neill admits he has a decision to make ahead of Sunday's game at the Aviva Stadium. 'I have plenty to contemplate,' he said when asked about the goalkeeping situation. 'I've been very pleased with both goalkeepers. Obviously I knew Westy at club level (at Sunderland) and you know my view of him - he's a really talented goalkeeper, just get his head right and he's great. 'Well he's really fine now. I think he's got over the team losing out in the play-offs and I think he made a really good save. And Darren, I don't think he's let us down too often.'
One player guaranteed to start is West Brom winger James McClean. He has emerged as something of a talisman with three goals during this qualifying campaign and he was again on target against Uruguay. Indeed, his late strike after coming on as a substitute was a carbon copy of the goal he scored to beat Austria in Vienna in November - a powerful finish after bursting clear down the left - and O'Neill hopes that is a good omen. 'Yes, it bodes well. It was a very similar goal, he picks it up and goes. He's on a pretty big high right now,' said the manager. 'He played left-back against Mexico last week, but I'm not so sure he wants to play there again.'
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WEST HAM JOIN LIVERPOOL IN THE RACE TO SIGN TIMO WERNER
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
readWestHam
Timo Werner was the driving force behind Red Bull Leipzig's surge up the Bundesliga table this season, helping them secure a second-placed finish and an automatic spot in next season's Champions League. The 21-year-old striker scored 21 goals and provided seven assists for Leipzig and was rewarded with his first cap for Germany back in March for his efforts. Werner has attracted the interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and Liverpool, both of whom have Champions League football next season, but another team have entered the race. Journalist Emanuele Giulianelli has claimed that West Ham are now looking at Werner and have made him their number one striker target. He goes on to mention that the Hammers are ready to make a €25m offer to sign the German striker this summer.
Many clubs are eager to sign Werner and it's likely that he will leave Leipzig, but West Ham appear to have made the first move in this saga that will drag on for much of the window.
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WEST HAM READYING WERNER BID
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
ReadWestHam
West Ham are preparing an audacious swoop to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner this summer, according to Emanuele Giulianelli. The young German striker enjoyed a quite simply sublime season with Leipzig, firing them to a high finish in the Bundesliga and helping them become a potent force near the top of the league. His clinical nature and ability to get in behind helped Leipzig to become one of the most attractive teams to watch in Germany. However, this has not gone unnoticed and he is attracting interest from several clubs. Liverpool have been cited with interest in recent times. Giulianelli interestingly states that West Ham would be prepared to cough up a huge sum of €25m, which would be a huge sign of intent from the club as they look to avoid an underwhelming campaign again. The Hammers are in need of more attacking inspiration and pulling off the unlikely signing of Werner would almost certainly provide that.
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Transfer Rumours – Goalkeepers
MooreThan Just A Club
Transfer News
POSTED BY: DAVE EDNEY 05/06/2017
Now that we are officially in the twilight zone, in other words, pre "pre-season" mode, it's time to look at the many West Ham transfer rumours currently doing the rounds. It should be said that this is officially "silly season", a period in which deals are very seldom done and which therefore gives journalists carte blanche to make up any old rubbish in the hope that it might sell a few papers.
Sifting through these can prove to be difficult especially when there are so many sources out there these days. It's not just newspaper reporters, there are so-called experts everywhere, some with apparent "close" connections to the club providing us with daily bulletins via blog posts (just like this one). If you ask me it's information overload. Give me the days when the only way you could find out if someone had moved was reading it in the Daily Express the following morning.
We will start with the first line of defense – Goalkeepers
West Ham's defensive record was poor last year but you couldn't always blame it on our No.1… However, neither Adrián nor Darren Randolph played consistently well in front of a porous defense so it's not surprising that we should be linked with an upgrade. But do we really need to strengthen in this area? The candidates are;
JORDAN PICKFORD (Sunderland)
Talented 23-year-old who couldn't keep Sunderland up but who could just be the next big thing in British Football. Still a bit raw but if it hadn't been for his performances his team would have faired far worse than they did, which is saying something. It has been suggested that the deal could involve Adrián going in the opposite direction. The thing is, is he the keeper to be replaced? Randolph seems to be the obvious choice particularly as Adrián has just signed a new contract that, one would imagine, has made certain promises regarding his position in the pecking order. Also, there is the possibility of a £15 million pound fee for Pickford which is a lot of money considering we will probably need to spend it on other areas of the team. One thing seems likely though and that is that Pickford will be playing Premier League football next season, but with whom?
JOHN RUDDY (Norwich City)
30-year-old England international available on a free transfer having spent the last seven seasons playing for The Canaries. Looked a very capable keeper the last time Norwich were in the Premier League, and won his first England cap. His position within that squad was lost however when Delia Smith's boys got relegated. Despite being among the favourites to return to the top flight this season, Norwich failed to do so and Ruddy lost his first team place. With his contract expiring it's more than a little surprising that they have decided to let him go which makes you wonder what kind of form he's been in over the last 6 months. Would Ruddy for Randolph be considered an upgrade? Would he be happy warming the bench as Adrián's No.2? Stranger things have happened.
JOE HART (Manchester City)
Like him or not, he is still England's No.1. On loan to Torino last season, a team that shifted 66 goals (two more than West Ham), yet Torino wanted to retain his services so he must have made an impression of sorts. Needs to come back to England in order to preserve his international position, particularly with the likes of Butland & Pickford breathing down his neck. One would imagine that Hart would go to a Top Six team with European football and not to a mid-table side like us. All the ambition in the world may not be enough to lure him to the London Stadium and his wages would be astronomical. He would be a signing that would declare some intent which is why I think we are being linked with him and also why I don't think it will happen.
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY (Arsenal)
Another keeper out on loan to a Serie A team, this time with Roma, the Polish international has been in excellent form over the last two seasons and if talks with Arsene Wenger prove fruitless it's possible that he will be looking to secure a permanent deal elsewhere. We have apparently taken an interest in the situation but with recent reports suggesting that Juventus are thinking of making a bid of about £13 million I think it's likely that the 27-year-old will remain in Italy.
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