Alan Curbishley was an interested observer as Luis Boa Morte came through a
reserve game on Monday
06.08.2008
Luis Boa Morte was pleased to get through last night's win at Bishop's
Stortford - especially after feeling the full force of a challenge in the
first minute.
The Portuguese forward was back for his second pre-season appearance in the
2-0 victory for a West Ham United XI at Woodside Park. Despite that strong
opening tackle, he picked himself up and showed plenty of willing for a
competitive contest played in driving rain. His energetic display was capped
with the second goal from close range but Boa Morte was most happy to get
some football under his belt.
"It felt OK," he said. "I had a hard tackle in the first minute. I was
worried I would have to come off injured but it was nothing serious and it
got better as the game went on. It was good to get a lot of the game because
I am trying to get fit and get a lot of football." Boa Morte's only previous
run-out this summer was 45 minutes against the MLS All-Stars in Toronto on
24 July before being hampered by a minor foot problem.
"So far the first team has played five games and I have only played in one
of them and only 45 minutes," he added after a solid victory that boasted
several other first-teamers including Hayden Mullins, Lee Bowyer and Jack
Collison, who opened the scoring. "It was important for me to get through
this and get 60 minutes. It was nice to get a goal. I was in the right place
at the right time. That was good for me."
Boa Morte is hoping to get another game this weekend with the high-profile
friendly at the Boleyn Ground against Villarreal. He knows plenty about the
opposition - not least former Arsenal player Robert Pires and their Euro
2008-winning trio of Joan Capevila, Santi Cazorla and Marcos Senna - and
wants to be involved. "I am definitely looking forward to the start of the
season. We have a friendly game against Villarreal on Saturday.
"We know it is going to be a proper game, a tough game. They are not coming
just to be part of the day, they are coming to get football in their legs
and the win. They have a good side with good players. It will be a hard game
and good preparation for the first game of the season against Wigan."
With the Barclays Premier League campaign getting under way on Saturday
week, Boa Morte said there was a determination within the camp to begin on a
positive note. "I am feeling confident for the season. It is important that
we start well. Last season, we didn't. We got beat at home but hopefully we
can have a different start and that is what we are looking for."
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Do West Ham fans have reasons for concern? - Football Fancast.com
Posted by: Rob Facey
Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey wonders what the season has in store
for West Ham and asks if the fans at Upton Park have any cause for concern.
West Ham have reportedly parted ways with Freddie Ljungberg, the man whose
arrival in East London last August was meant to help Alan Curbishley start
to close the gap on the Premier League elite. However, crippling injuries to
an already threadbare squad put an end to this grand scheme as the club's
season became a little up and down to say the least.
With only seven home victories and just 42 goals scored all last season, the
small slithers of light creeping into Curbishley's office came in the form
of Mark Noble and Freddie Sears, two youngster that have come good.
Although the club finished a respectable 10th, there was a sense of
disappointment at Upton Park that the great plans had not come to fruition.
An example of the club's failure to achieve what they expected can be seen
in the story of the Swedish international Freddie Ljungberg.
According to The Telegraph, Ljungberg will be formally released this week.
His year at the club has cost West Ham £13m at a rate of £500,000 per
appearance. This is money that West Ham cannot afford to pay players who had
little more than bit-part roles in last season's battle for mediocrity.
He was named captain on his debut, a game in which the Hammers were beaten
2-0 by Man City but finished the year on the sidelines after breaking his
ribs in April. His bad luck is the embodiment of the modern West Ham. Plucky
but often falling short of expectations, all eyes will be on the East End
this season.
Alan Curbishley is the favourite to be shown the door first, so what does
the future hold for West Ham?
Are fans worried about the lack of summer signings? Should the board have
gone for broke in bringing in new faces that can turn things around or are
they hoping that they can just settle into the middle of the league and be
of little to concern to those around them?
West Ham are arguably many fans second team and it would be a shame for them
to endure another season of mediocrity, but realistically, what is the best
they can achieve?
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Tight-lipped boss accepts Shorey exit - TeamTalk
Reading boss Steve Coppell admits Nicky Shorey will leave Reading by the end
of the week but has refused to reveal the identity of his suitors. The
27-year-old has been continually linked with a swift return to the Premier
League and reports suggest bids have been accepted from Sunderland and Aston
Villa, while Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth are also reported to be
interested. But Coppell refused to divulge Shorey's preferred club. "Without
being specific about any destination," he told the club's official website.
"I expect Nicky to be gone by the time we kick off this weekend. "There has
been interest, and I expect him to be plying his trade with someone else by
the time we get to Nottingham. "He's been consistent right from this time
last year. He's said he wanted to go, try a fresh challenge. We'll see what
happens but I imagine he'll be gone."
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Hammers boss Curbishley insists that Dyer will be back sooner than expected
- This Is London
Last updated at 14:45pm on 06.08.08
Manager Alan Curbishley has rejected claims Kieron Dyer will miss another
four months of football. A CT scan revealed the midfielder suffered a
hairline fracture in the same leg he broke last August, but Curbs said: 'He
just felt a little bit sore, so we had him scanned. They have said that he
can carry on running, but not join in with us for four to five weeks.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Police Receive Complaints Regarding West Ham's Bellamy - TWTD.co.uk
Wednesday 06 Aug 2008 14:05:09 by Phil
Police have confirmed that they have received four complaints regarding
Craig Bellamy's comments made to fans in the family enclosure in the
Britannia Stand during Monday's friendly with West Ham. PC Mark Norman,
Suffolk Constabulary's football intelligence officer, said: "Police are
following up four enquires from members of the public as a result of the
alleged incident. All of these people will be spoken to and information will
be collected and then we will decide on the next course of action."
Bellamy clashed with fans after pulling up with a hamstring injury during
the first half of the Hammers' 5-3 victory over the Blues. Both clubs have
said they will assist the police with any investigation that might follow.
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Tottenham may make Ashton raid - metro.co.uk
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tottenham could make a surprise raid on London rovals West Ham for England
striker Dean Ashton. Spurs are rumoured to have already failed with a
£15million bid for the 24-year-old, with boss Juande Ramos considering
whether or not to return with an improved bid. Tottenham need to boost their
striking department with Robbie Keane having left for Liverpool and
Manchester United target Dimitar Berbatov also expected to leave. Ramos has
been linked with a move for Russia international Roman Pavlyuchenko but is
now believed to have turned his attention to Ashton. However, West Ham will
hold out for nearer £15m for the former Crewe striker as the deal which took
Ashton from Norwich City to Upton Park in 2006 states they must pay the
Canaries 15 per cent of any sell-on fee. The Hammers are reluctant to sell
their key striker, but may accept a deal as they bid to slash their wage
bill. The club are already reported to have offered Freddie Ljungberg a £6m
pay-off to get the under-performing Swede off their books.
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West Ham agree Freddie Ljungberg pay-off
Times Online
West Ham United have agreed to pay Fredrik Ljungberg in the region of
£4.5million to leave Upton Park this summer, should he be able to find a new
club. The Premier League club will allow the Sweden midfield player to move
on a free transfer this month, and will continue to pay a proportion of his
£85,000 per week salary to meet the pay-off settlement, over the remainder
of the two years left on his contract.
Ljungberg, who has the option of a further year in his West Ham contract
should he play enough matches, joined the club from Arsenal last summer. The
31-year-old has made 25 league appearances this season but has not been able
to recapture the goalscoring knack he had several seasons ago. The club have
offered him to several Italian clubs this summer, but so far, there is no
firm interest. Part of the problem is Ljungberg's financial demands and his
loss in form and pace in recent seasons. He scored only twice last season,
which was cut short when he suffered a cracked rib in the 2-2 draw against
Newcastle United in April.
Ljungberg's possible departure is also complicated by the club's injury
situation in attack. Craig Bellamy is out for between four and six weeks
with a hamstring injury and Kieron Dyer's return from a broken leg has been
put back by two months after he suffered a hair-line fracture.
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Young Hammers keeper can make his mark, says Ludo - Guardian Series
2:30pm Wednesday 6th August 2008
WEST HAM legend Ludek Miklosko reckons Marek Stech has all the attributes to
become one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. The giant
18-year-old has been earmarked for big things at Upton Park and showed his
credentials with an impressive senior debut in Friday night's 2-2 pre-season
draw with Southampton at St Mary's Stadium. Hammers' goalkeeping coach
Miklosko – who like Stech hails from the Czech Republic – believes the
teenager is ready to push number one Robert Green and new loan signing Jan
Lastuvka all the way this season. "He knows the areas he needs to work on
but, on the whole, I would have no hesitation in putting him into the team
in the Premier League," admitted Miklosko. "We've got a similar body shape
and he's got a very good chance to be one of the best goalkeepers in the
Premier League."
Stech though, is a boy with his feet firmly on the ground and there's little
chance of the youngster getting carried away. He said: "It's different class
[playing for the first team]. It's so much different than playing in the
reserves. "Everything is quicker – the passing and players. "You have to be
switched on all the time and it is much much harder than playing for the
youth and reserve teams. "I need to try my best every single day on the
training field and show what I can do and hopefully the manager will give me
another chance."
He added: "It's unbelievable being in and around the first team. "There's a
lot of great people in the team and this is a good opportunity. I pick up
something new every single day on the training field from Robert, and Jimmy
Walker. "They are always telling what I can do better and what I am doing
right. I'm learning all the time."
Alan Curbishley is certainly an advocate of the youngster's ability, and
admitted he would be one for Hammers fans to keep an eye on. "I've bought in
another experienced goalkeeper - Jan - because Richard Wright leaving has
left us a little bit short there, but we've all got really high hopes for
Marek," said the Irons boss. "He's signed a long-term contract with us and
I'll think he'll be forcing the issue. Ludo is very pleased with him. "We're
throwing these youngsters in at the deep end because of one or two niggles
but we're not afraid to do that."
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Hammer Collins back on Albion radar - TeamTAlk
West Brom have reportedly turned their attention back to West Ham's James
Collins after missing out on Abdoulaye Meite and Madjid Bougherra. Baggies
boss Tony Mowbray is desperate to bolster his central defence ahead of the
new Premier League season. He has recruited full-backs Gianni Zuiverloon and
Marek Cech but has seen Martin Albrechtsen join Derby on a free transfer,
leaving only Neil Clement and Leon Barnett as his first-choice centre-backs.
Albion came close to signing Charlton's Bougherra before he performed a
U-turn and joined Scottish giants Rangers despite agreeing personal terms at
The Hawthorns. And Mowbray says their interest in Bolton's Meite is "dead in
the water" after the Trotters turned down two cash bids and instead proposed
a player exchange involving left-back Paul Robinson or skipper Jonathan
Greening. The double setback has led to Mowbray once again setting his
sights on Hammers defender Collins. The Welshman is behind Matthew Upson and
Danny Gabbidon in the pecking order at Upton Park, so Mowbray is hoping to
land him on a season-long loan deal, according to The Sun.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
' Spurs bid' casts doubt over Dean Ashton's future at West Ham
Dean Ashton's future at West Ham has been cast into doubt following
speculation that the England striker could be on his way from Upton Park.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Last Updated: 11:14AM BST 06 Aug 2008
It is understood that Tottenham have distanced themselves from a report in
today's Guardian linking the north London club with with a £15 million bid
for the England striker. West Ham insist that Ashton will remain at Upton
Park, with chief executive Scott Duxbury already saying: "Hell would have to
freeze over for us to sell Dean to a major rival." But Upton Park could be
swayed by a bid of £20m for Ashton, who last weekend fired a hat-trick in a
5-3 friendly victory over Coca-Cola Championship side Ipswich at Portman
Road.
Ashton broke his ankle 24 hours before making his proposed England debut in
the summer of 2006 and it has been a long and painful route back to full
fitness. He also missed the whole of the 2006-07 season for West Ham - and
even last year it was not until the closing months of the campaign that he
rediscovered his best form. Five of Ashton's 11 goals last season came in
the last eight games of the campaign. His reward was a recall to the England
fold and a long-awaited debut in the friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.
With the new season less than a fortnight away, Ashton fits the bill as
Tottenham look for new attacking options. Last week, Robbie Keane was sold
to Liverpool, while the future of Dimitar Berbatov remains uncertain.
Jermain Defoe was sold to Portsmouth earlier this year for £9m, which left
Darren Bent and Berbatov as the club's only recognised strikers. Manager
Juande Ramos could also bid for former Manchester United striker Diego
Forlan. Despite a torrid time at Old Trafford, the Uruquay international
found his form with Villarreal before moving to Atletico Madrid last year.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham end Freddie Ljungberg contract after mounting wage bill costs club
Freddie Ljunberg's short-lived career at West Ham has ended after a mounting
wage bill cost the club £13 million, according to reports.
By Telegraph staff
Last Updated: 9:48AM BST 06 Aug 2008
As transfers go, Freddie Ljungberg's move from Arsenal to Upton Park looked
a shrewd one following the Swede's successful spell under Arsene Wenger.
However, the Daily Mail reports that one year after joining, the club have
severed ties with Ljungberg and have paid the midfielder £6 million. As a
West Ham player, Ljungberg was paid £85,000 a week and following his 25
appearances last season had an option for one more year on his contract if
he played 15 games this season. Manager Alan Curbishley has told Ljungberg
that he will not feature in first team plans which means that the Swede cost
the club a total of £500,000 per game and a total of £13 million. The final
bill includes his £3 million transfer fee from Arsenal, his West Ham wages
and latest pay-off. According to the paper, West Ham have yet to announce
his departure even though his agent earlier this week denied reports linking
him away from Upton Park. The 31-year-old had been linked with a move to
Greece, while Roma were also eyeing the former Swedish international. Since
retiring from the international scene, Ljungberg said that he was keen to
prolong his career in the Premier League and had no desire to leave West
Ham. He was expected to earn £8.84 million over the next two season, but his
future was already being questioned when he failed to feature in
Curbishley's pre-season build-up. Ljungberg made his West Ham debut in the
2-0 home defeat by Manchester City in Aug 2007 a game in which he was also
captain. His season ended in April this year when he broke his ribs againast
Newcastle.
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Thatcher on trial as Hammers ease past Stortford - Guardian Series
8:58am Wednesday 6th August 2008
WEST HAM had controversial defender Ben Thatcher on trial during a 2-0
pre-season friendly win over non-league Bishop's Stortford last night. With
George McCartney struggling to be fit for the Premier League opener with
Wigan on Saturday week, the former Millwall, Spurs and Manchester City full
back was handed a trial by the Irons. The 32-year-old Wales international -
who has been involved in various unsavoury incidents on the pitch during his
six-club career - was released by Charlton at the end of last season, and
has since turned down a contract offer from Ipwsich and had a week-long
trial at Wolves. But he put in a decent performance at Woodside Park as a
Hammers XI that included first teamers Hayden Mullins, Luis Boa Morte, Jack
Collison, Lee Bowyer and Freddie Sears proved too strong for the Blue Square
South outfit. Midfielder Collison opened the scoring for the Hammers after
three minutes with a deflected drive. Boa Morte doubled the lead on 20
minutes from close range after a good break involving Junior Stanislas and
Sears.
West Ham: Stech (Street 46), O'Neill, Eyjolfsson (Payne 74), Spence (N'Gala
59), Thatcher (Miller 74), Bowyer (Kearns 69), Mullins (Harvey 62),
Collison, Stanislas, Boa Morte (Jeffery 62), Sears (Stokes 65).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HAMMERS REJECT ASHTON BID - REPORT - Sporting Life
Tottenham have reportedly failed in a £15m bid for West Ham striker Dean
Ashton. According to The Guardian, Spurs have turned to Ashton as it becomes
increasingly likely that Dimitar Berbatov will join Manchester United,
leaving them with only Darren Bent in the striking department. A bid of
closer to £20m would probably tempt the Hammers, who have so far failed to
get huge earners Lucas Neill and Freddie Ljungberg off their wage bill.
Tottenham's dream transfer target is Valencia's David Villa, but he is
likely to choose the Premier League only as a last resort as he favours
remaining in Spain. Spurs must now decide whether to return to West Ham with
a higher bid.
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Tomkins tipped to make it to the top - Guardian Series
9:20am Wednesday 6th August 2008
WEST Ham United defender James Tomkins has been tipped for greatness by
Irons manager Alan Curbishley. Speaking exclusively to the Echo, the Hammers
boss said the Basildon-based 19-year-old central defender had all the
attributes needed to make it to the very top of the game. Curbishley handed
former Chalvedon School pupil Tomkins his full debut in March and the
teenager impressed in the six first team matches he played at the tail end
of last season. Tomkins' preparations for the new Premier League season have
been hit by a calf injury suffered while on England duty at the European
Under-19 Champion-ship last month, but his club manager believes his young
charge will be pushing for a first team spot as soon as he regains his
fitness.
"I think he's got the ability to go all the way," said Curbishley. "When he
gets fit I think he will put pressure on the other centre backs without me
putting any pressure on him. "I think he'd have done so before if he hadn't
had a couple of shoulder injuries in the past few years. "He's got all the
attributes. It's down to him."
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West Brom sound out West Ham for Collins
tribalfooball.com - August 06, 2008
West Brom are moving for West Ham defender James Collins. Baggies boss Tony
Mowbray has approached West Ham to take Wales international defender
Collins, 24, on loan for the season.
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Ljungberg still part of Hammers plans - Guardian Series
9:20am Wednesday 6th August 2008
WEST HAM boss Alan Curbishley has played down claims that Freddie Ljungberg
is on his way out of the club. The 31-year-old - who played in Sweden's
disappointing Euro 2008 campaign before announcing his retirement from
international football - has missed all of pre-season. That has led to
mounting speculation that the club is looking to offload the player in a bid
to get him off the wage bill - with some reports even suggesting that a
£6million pay-off deal had already been agreed. However, Curbishley
insisted that the former Arsenal man is stil in his plans. "He has been
given a bit of extra time and also wanted to off to Sweden to do a week's
work as he did last season," said Curbishley. "Obviously we are getting
nearer the season and we've got Valon Bahrami and Julien Faubert who can
play in that position. "But he is part of the club and he should be back by
the end of the week."
Ljungberg endured an injury-plagued debut season for the Hammers last term,
scoring three goals in 22 league starts. Curbishley added: "I think that
Freddie's season summed ours up. "He did some really exciting things, looked
as if he was getting going, then he took a knock and when he came back it
was a bit dis-jointed. "When he was at Arsenal, playing in Euros and World
Cups, he always had certain time off. "We've given him that time off but
he's a very fit boy in himself and we'll see when he comes back."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ljungberg's laughing all the way to the bank - BubblesInTheAir
Wednesday 06 Aug 2008 09:31:00 by Tony Watson
Freddy Ljungberg is set for a massive windfall as West Ham have thought to
have ironed out an agreement that will see the two parties go their separate
ways. The 31 year old Swede has apparently been offered £6 million to leave
the club - in a deal that would make him a free agent. Ljungberg has failed
to return for the Hammers pre-season preparations and is thought to be back
home assessing his options. With injuries slowly clearing up (we hope)
Ljungberg's chances of first team football were always going to be limited.
Last year he made 25 appearances for the club but Curbs made it clear to him
that he did not feature in his plans this time round. Ljungberg signed from
Arsenal last year and has thought to have been picking up an staggering
£85,000 a week - some rumours even suggest that figure included image rights
- now who in their right mind agreed to that for a 30 year old player
plagued with back and knee complaints? Rumours have suggested that it was
his deal that put the nail in the coffin for Eggert Magnusson. If this is
all completed Ljungberg would have cost us around £11 million - It is scary
to think sometimes who is running our football club.
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Spurs 'ponder new offer for Ashton' after West Ham reportedly reject £15m
bid - This Is London
Last updated at 11:16am on 06.08.08
Spurs today could be preparing to make an improved offer for Dean Ashton
after reportedly having a £15million bid turned down by . Spurs, whose bid
to sign Andrei Arshavin has hit severe difficulties, have now turned their
attention to Ashton, who is also a target for , according to the London
Evening Standard. Although West Ham are reluctant to sell Ashton, who signed
a new five-year contract two months ago, they want to substantially cut
their wage bill and would be tempted if Spurs came back with an offer of
nearer £20m. This is because West Ham would have to give 15 per cent of any
fee to Norwich as part of a sell-on clause agreed when they bought the
striker for £7.25m in 2006. Spurs boss Juande Ramos is desperate to sign a
striker before letting Dimitar Berbatov depart for Manchester United, and
had banked on Arshavin joining them but the deal collapsed. West Ham
manager Alan Curbishley, though, would be reluctant to let Ashton go at any
price since the former Crewe player's exit would leave him desperately short
of strikers.
Bobby Zamora has joined Fulham for £6m while Craig Bellamy is definitely out
of the start of the season after damaging a hamstring against Ipswich on
Monday.
Former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg meanwhile, has played his last
game for West Ham. The Sweden international, who was reported to be earning
more than £70,000 per week, has been told he can go with West Ham willing to
pay up his contract. Lazio have been linked with a move for him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HAMMERS TALK: Irons to join chase for Liverpool winger? - Guardian Series
10:29am Wednesday 6th August 2008
WEST HAM are ready to join the race to sign Liverpool misfit Jermaine
Pennant, according to reports. The winger is a candidate for the chop at
Anfield as Reds boss Rafael Benitez looks to raise funds to land summer-long
target Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. Blackburn are favourites to land the
25-year-old, and are rumoured to be lining up a £7million bid. But reports
are now suggesting that the Irons are keen on the former Arsenal and
Birmingham man.
However, the rumours would seem far-fetched given that boss Alan Curbishley
already has Julien Faubert, Valon Behrami, Freddie Ljungberg and - when fit
- Kieron Dyer all vying for the wide right position.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boa Morte SCORES!!!! (Rare Headline) - Cmon Yu Irons
Its true, Boa Morte has scored a goal.
West Ham XI took on Bishop's Stortford in a friendly last night, the Hammers
team lineup was Marek Stech (Adam Street 46), Ryan O'Neill, Holmar Orn
Eyjolfsson (Josh Payne 74), Jordan Spence (Bondz N'Gala 59), Ben Thatcher
(Ashley Miller 74), Lee Bowyer (Daniel Kearns 69), Hayden Mullins (Tom
Harvey 62), Jack Collison, Junior Stanislas, Luis Boa Morte (Jack Jeffery
62), Freddie Sears (Tony Stokes 65)
The first goal was scored by Jack Collison assisted by Bowyer in the 3rd
minute and BOA MORTE scored the second assisted by Fred Sears in the 20th
Minute. I have a good feeling about Boa Morte this season coming, if the
fans lay off him we might just have a decent player, and maybe he might just
score again one day.
This post was submitted by JackHammer.
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Hammers keen on Frenchman - Setanta
by Laurent Picard, 06 August 2008
West Ham are being linked with a bid for Marseille centre back Gael Givet.
The France international has been deemed surplus to requirements at Stade
Velodrome following the arrival of centre backs Amine Erbate and Hilton this
summer. Former Monaco hero Givet failed to impose himself at his new club
last season, and was given a torrid time by Fernando Torres during the
Champions League game with Liverpool. The 26-year-old is on his way out of
Marseille and while he is in talks with Greek giants Panathinaikos, The
Hammers have emerged as a possible option. "Both clubs are in advanced talks
but an agreement is yet to be reached," L'OM chairman Pape Diouf said about
Panathinaikos. "The player as well needs to find an agreement with
Panathinaikos."
Talks are believed to have stalled, as Marseille's asking price is set at
£1.5 million, whereas Pana have offered just £1 million, and Givet is
believed to have demanded high wages.
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West Ham to Sign Kop Misfit? - koptv.com
August 6, 2008 (55 minutes ago
Alan Curbishley looks set to join the race to sign Liverpool winger Jermaine
Pennant according to reports coming out of the East London Club. The English
winger is believed to be valued at around £7million, and West Ham believe
they can pip Blackburn to signing the former Arsenal player. Pennant is a
player that Reds boss Rafael Benitez would like to sell as he looks to raise
funds to finance a bid for long-term target Gareth Barry.
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Well-travelled Behrami at home in East End - Echo
12:59pm Wednesday 6th August 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
WHEN you consider how much travelling Valon Behrami has done in his life, it
should be no surprise that he has settled into life at West Ham United so
quickly. Born in the former Yugoslavian state of Kosovo, the 23-year-old
midfielder moved to Switzerland as a youngster. From there, his footballing
talents at local club FC Lugano earning him a big-money move to Italy, where
he impressed for Genoa, Verona and, most notably, Lazio. His performances
at the Stadio Olimpico were noticed by the Irons' new technical director
Gianluca Nani, who engineered a £5million switch to London a fortnight ago.
Since then, Behrami has made three pre-season appearances for Alan
Curbishley's side, appearing at right-back, on the right wing and in central
midfield. And the versatile Swiss international admitted he was happy to
play anywhere for his new club. "I just prefer to play. And then whether the
manager wants me," he told the Echo. "When I have the option, then its
midfielder, but the more important thing is to play."
While Behrami is happy to fill-in anywhere he is asked to play, the
Mitrovica-born star conceded that it may take him some time to come to terms
with the pace of the English game. "It's very different. It's quicker and
more physical and not so tactical," he observed. "When I'm in good condition
I think it is very fun to play here. "It's a style of play that I like."
One other concern Behrami has is earning himself a regular starting place in
Alan Curbishley's side. With Julien Faubert fit again and Lucas Neill
captaining the side from right-back, the man nick-named the "Swiss David
Beckham" could find his path to the first eleven blocked. "There's a lot of
competition for places but that is a good thing," he conceded. "It's better
when the manager has more options, which is better for the team. I enjoy the
competition."
On the pitch, Behrami has been impressed with his new team-mates and
believes the Hammers could enjoy a successful 2008/09 season. "I think West
Ham have the possibility to push on from last year and definitely improve,"
he added. "But we have only to work – and not so much talk. Maybe we can
make a surprise."
Manager Curbishley himself has been pleased with the way his new signing has
settled into his squad and is looking forward to seeing Behrami when
match-fit. "He can play wide right or he can play in a three too," observed
the Irons boss. "I felt that he is a player with that versatility who was
desperate to come to us. "He had lots of other options. "I've brought in
someone who I know is a good player, a top athlete and can play in various
positions."
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