England Under-21 captain Nigel Reo-Coker is fully focused on the European
Championships, despite facing an uncertain future at club level. Aston Villa
have made a bid for the West Ham midfielder, but the 23-year-old is trying
to concentrate on playing for his country before settling worrying about
anything else. "If I said it was easy I'd be lying," he said. "It's not easy
but at the end of the day it's about being professional and that's got to be
put to the back of my mind, which it is. "It's nothing to do with my
personal career, it's all about the under-21s."
Coach Stuart Pearce has been dealt a number of selection problems preparing
for the finals in Holland - starting with being unable to contact Gabriel
Agbonlahor then the withdrawal of David Bentley due to "fatigue" - but the
remaining 22 youngsters are raring to go. "It has hurt us but it's not down
to me to comment on that situation," admitted Reo-Coker. "As a squad we have
to get on with it and we're very excited about the tournament. "We're more
than equipped with the squad we have, every player here wants to be here and
wants to win. That's all we care about."
England start their finals campaign tonight against the Czech Republic at
the Gelredome in Arnhem, with Anton Ferdinand struggling with a groin
complaint. The tournament has been switched to odd years to fall between
major senior championships, raising its profile. Pearce believes it gives
his players the opportunity to put themselves in the limelight. "This is a
big tournament," said Pearce, whose side will face Italy and Serbia later in
the week. "There is great expectation for the tournament. It will get
greater and greater and be a good summer's football. "Every time you take to
the pitch you are putting yourself in the shop window and proving yourself
to your team-mates. We're all in the same boat. "From my point of view
losing a job (he was sacked by Manchester City at the end of the season) was
disappointing . "I know from my own history it will make me stronger. It is
experience telling me that and inner strength."
While Agbonlahor and Bentley chose not to play, Mark Noble cancelled a lads'
holiday to Mexico to be part of Pearce's squad in Holland. "All the masseurs
and physios at West Ham were saying don't book any holidays in case you get
called up and I was like 'No, no'," he said. "The missus was pleased because
I wasn't going to Mexico with the boys. "If we win it the Mexico trip will
be at the back of my mind."
Czech Republic striker Michal Papadopulos, who has previously had a spell at
Arsenal, is wary of Pearce's youngsters. "Of course you have to put England
among the favourites," he said. "But while we respect their quality, we are
not afraid of them."
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United to step up Tevez bid - Report - TeamTalk
Manchester United are reportedly planning a swoop for Carlos Tevez, but
could lose out to Inter Milan in the race for the West Ham striker.
According to several of Sunday's newspapers, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
has asked chief executive David Gill to explore a move for the Argentina
striker, who seems certain to leave Upton Park this summer. According to The
Mail on Sunday, Old Trafford officials discussed a deal with connections of
Tevez last week and are keen to take the frontman on loan for a season while
the complicated issues surrounding his ownership are sorted out. However,
the News of the World claims businessman Kia Joorabchian, who was behind
Tevez's transfer from Corinthians to West Ham last summer, has since spoken
to officials at Inter Milan. It is thought the Italian champions would be
prepared to pay up to £34million for Tevez's services, eclipsing the
£12million that United are willing to pay for a permanent deal. Real Madrid
are also in the hunt and hope to hold talks with Tevez's representatives
this week, while Liverpool and Chelsea are also thought to be monitoring the
situation. But Ferguson, who is currently on holiday in the south of France,
appears keen to make sure United are involved in the scramble for his
signature. The Red Devils boss has admitted in the past that he was offered
Tevez and Javier Mascherano last summer, but turned down the move because of
uncertainty over the deal. United have also been strongly linked with Ajax
striker Klaas-Jan Hunterlaar, but appear set to lose out to Juventus in the
race for the £10million-rated hitman. They are also struggling to land other
striking targets, including Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov and Atletico
Madrid's Fernando Torres, which may explain why Ferguson has stepped up his
attempts to do a deal for Tevez.
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Prem duo chasing Irons ace Marlon - TeamTalk
Premiership rivals Derby and Fulham are reportedly battling it out for the
signature of West Ham striker Marlon Harewood this summer. The Hammers
frontman has been told he leave Upton Park by boss Alan Curbishley, having
scored just four goals last season after a haul of 16 during the previous
campaign. Derby are looking to bolster their attack following their return
to the Premiership, while new Fulham chief Lawrie Sanchez wants to freshen
up his squad after the Cottagers flirted with relegation last season. The
Sunday Mirror claims Harewood would be available for a fee in the region of
£2.5million, and with the 27-year-old said to be keen on remaining in London
it would appear that a switch to Craven Cottage could possibly be on the
cards.
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Trotters may cash in on star Nolan - Teamtalk
Everton, West Ham, Manchester City and Sunderland are on alert after it was
reported Bolton may be willing to sell midfielder Kevin Nolan. According to
The People, new Trotters boss Sammy Lee would be willing to part with the
influential Englishman as he bids to overhaul his squad this summer. Lee has
already strengthened his midfield with the signing of Aston Villa's Gavin
McCann and is thought to be prepared to cash in on Nolan, who has two years
left on his current contract and could command a fee in the region of
£4.5million. Everton boss David Moyes is considered the favourite in the
race for the Liverpool-born player, and is eager to strengthen his midfield
options after missing out on Manchester City's Joey Barton to Newcastle.
City are looking to fill the gap left by Barton at Eastlands and Nolan would
be seen as an ideal replacement. But while the 25-year-old would be keen to
stay in the North West, the uncertainty over the City managerial position
and the potential takeover at the club may prove a stumbling block. Hammers
boss Alan Curbishley would like to see Nolan alongside Scott Parker in a
new-look midfield at Upton Park if Nigel Reo-Coker leaves the club this
summer and is keeping an eye on the situation. And Sunderland manager Roy
Keane is also on the lookout for proven Premiership talent to bolster his
side's hopes of staying in the top-flight after winning promotion. Newcastle
boss Sam Allardyce has also been linked with Nolan after forming a good
relationship with him at Bolton, but has prioritised other areas in his
Tyneside squad rebuilding programme after strengthening his midfield with
the signing of Barton earlier this week.
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Man Utd join Tevez chase - The Sun
By MARTIN BLACKBURN
June 11, 2007
CARLOS TEVEZ is the new target for big-spending Manchester United. Alex
Ferguson's champs have already lashed out £47million this summer on Owen
Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson. Now they have joined the race for Argentine
hitman Tevez, who seems certain to quit West Ham. United chief executive
David Gill admitted last week the Old Trafford giants want a striker. And
they have received little encouragement while checking out the likes of
Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov and Spanish sensation Fernando Torres. Inter
Milan and Liverpool are also hot on the trail of 23-year-old Tevez, whose
goals kept West Ham in the Premiership. Fergie is on holiday in the South of
France but is aware Tevez's future is likely to be decided soon. United
turned down the opportunity to sign the striker last summer because they
were not convinced about the nature of the deal. Fergie said: "Tevez was
offered to everybody. We were offered both him and Javier Mascherano but, if
I remember it correctly, we weren't sure of the deal."
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Noble says adiós to Mexico after spring surge earns call-up
West Ham's late bloomer says past disappointments can help Under-21 side
thrive in Holland
Jeremy Wilson
Monday June 11, 2007
The Guardian
The past three months have left Mark Noble shocked and delighted in equal
measure. After a spell on loan at Ipswich Town, the midfielder made his
first league start of the season for West Ham in the dramatic 4-3 defeat by
Tottenham in March before becoming integral to the run of seven wins in nine
matches which guaranteed Premiership safety.
A summer holiday in Mexico beckoned but he now finds himself in Holland with
the England Under-21 team who are looking to emulate the European
Championship successes of 1982 and 1984.
"It was a mad last 10 games of the season; I think no one could believe that
we had done it and nor could we really," he said. "Everyone thought it was
finished. We did as well and I think the fans did.
"Winning at Manchester United to stay up was unbelievable. United were
celebrating [winning] the Premier League that day and I felt like we had
just won the Premier League. It has been a fantastic few months of my life.
"All the people at West Ham were saying 'don't book any holidays because you
could get called up [for England]' and I was 'of course not'. I had booked a
holiday to Mexico with friends. I got the phone call and I was obviously
buzzing about that and the missus was buzzing because I wasn't going to
Mexico."
With Nigel Reo-Coker and Anton Ferdinand, Noble is part of a trio of West
Ham players who will certainly bring a winning momentum to the squad. "I
feel much stronger, confidence-wise and belief-wise," said Noble. "We really
felt like no matter what game we were going into we were going to win."
A degree of uncertainty, however, surrounds the club future of his two
team-mates, particularly that of Reo-Coker, who has handed in a transfer
request and is the subject of a £7m bid from Aston Villa. "I've played a lot
with Nigel, he's a good friend of mine - he's a good player and a top
person," said Noble. "He's helped me out along the way, given me
encouragement because obviously he has been there. I just hope everything is
sorted out with him sooner or later and he is happy playing his football
again."
Noble has just turned 20 and is the second youngest member of Stuart
Pearce's Under-21 squad. He has played for England through every age group
from the Under-16s and was part of teams which reached the Uefa Under-17
Championships semi-final in 2004 and then the Under-19 final the following
year.
"The next step is to win one," he said. "[Cesc] Fábregas scored the winning
penalty against us in the semi-finals for Spain [in 2004] and [Abou] Diaby
was playing for France when we played them in the final.
"The top players come out of these competitions. I don't want losing in
finals to rub off but I hope my experience of playing tournament football
and getting to the later rounds can help."
Noble says that it is about time England won an international tournament and
he has vivid memories of watching Pearce as an England player, particularly
during Euro 96 when Terry Venables' side reached the semi-finals.
"He is a legend in his own right - I watched him play at West Ham and one
time he tried to play with a broken leg I think," said Noble. "That just
showed what a strong man and character he is. He's a credit to himself and
obviously to England. I've only known him three weeks. He seems
approachable, you can have a laugh when it suits him, he joins in training
and he's still got a bit about him in training."
Noble has not, however, experienced a 50-50 challenge with the manager.
"He's edging to tackle someone but I'm not sure it will come in this
tournament," he said. "I don't think he wants to risk one of the boys
getting injured."
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United consider move for Tevez - The Independent
By John Nisbet
Published: 11 June 2007
Manchester United are reportedly planning a move for Carlos Tevez, but could
lose out to Internazionale in the race to sign the West Ham striker.
United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has asked the club's chief executive,
David Gill, to look at the possibility of a move for the Argentina striker.
It is thought, however, that the Italian champions would be prepared to pay
up to £34m for Tevez, bettering the £12m that United are willing to pay. The
United full-back Gabriel Heinze has said he would consider leaving for
Barcelona. The 29-year-old Argentine said he will not make a decision until
after this summer's Copa America, but would be tempted by a move to the Nou
Camp. "Barcelona is a super-club, like Manchester United. If a formal offer
is tabled, I'll need to study it calmly," he said. "Nobody at United has
told me I'm not wanted next season."
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Everton, West Ham keep tabs on Bolton's Nolan
tribalfooball.com - June 10, 2007
Everton, West Ham, Manchester City and Sunderland are on alert after it was
reported Bolton may be willing to sell midfielder Kevin Nolan. According to
The People, new Trotters boss Sammy Lee would be willing to part with the
influential Englishman as he bids to overhaul his squad this summer.
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has also been linked with the 25 year old after
forming a good relationship with him at Bolton, but has prioritised other
areas in his Tyneside squad rebuilding programme after strengthening his
midfield with the signing of Joey Barton last week.
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Noble hopes West Ham clinch Reo-Coker deal
tribalfooball.com - June 10, 2007
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble admits he hopes England U21 teammate Nigel
Reo-Coker joins him at Upton Park. "I've played a lot with Nigel, he's a
good friend of mine - he's a good player and a top person," said Noble.
"He's helped me out along the way, given me encouragement because obviously
he has been there. I just hope everything is sorted out with him sooner or
later and he is happy playing his football again."
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Derby, Fulham move for West Ham's Harewood
tribalfooball.com - June 10, 2007
Derby County and Fulham are chasing West Ham United striker Marlon Harewood.
The striker was told last week that he is surplus to requirements at West
Ham and can leave for £2.5million.
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