WHUFC.com
The Premier League and Barclays have launched the 2009 Barclays Asia Trophy
in Beijing
10.06.2009
West Ham United can confirm the club will take part in the four-team
Barclays Asia Trophy in Beijing, China next month as part of the club's
pre-season preparations.
The prestigious event is being organised by the Premier League, the Beijing
Football Association (BFA) and Barclays. West Ham will play Tottenham
Hotspur on Wednesday 29 July (11am London time) before Hull City take on
local side Beijing Guoan later that same day (1.30pm). The two winners will
then meet in the final on Friday 31 July (11am) after a third-place play-off
(1.30pm) between the two losing sides from the opening matches.
Gianfranco Zola has plenty of experience of the Workers Stadium, which will
stage all the matches, having coached the Italian national team at the
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Working with Pierluigi Casiraghi, Zola's team
played there in front of more than 50,000 fans at the quarter-final stage,
only to be defeated 3-2 by Belgium.
The manager is looking forward to be heading back to Beijing. "The Chinese
people love football," he said. "I went there with the Italian Olympic team
last year and it was clear they have a passion for the game. I was
recognised by a lot of people and you could see that the Barclays Premier
League is very popular over there. It is going to be an exciting experience
for everyone and we are looking forward to going to Beijing.
"This pre-season, and the matches we will play in China, are going to be
very important for us because it will allow us to prepare for the new season
in the right way. The young players will gain more experience and it is
going to help us to be stronger and improve on what we have achieved so
far."
The Barclays Asia Trophy is one of the headline events at the inaugural 2009
Beijing Football International Festival. Now an established part of the
Premier League's fixture calendar, the Barclays Asia Trophy has been staged
in some of Asia's major cities - Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
With 49,000 tickets will be on sale for each matchday, the tournament will
be officiated by Barclays Premier League and BFA match officials, and will
also be staged in accordance with Barclays Premier League rules.
Additionally, all matches will be broadcast locally in China, in the UK by
Sky Sports and around the world. Pricing and advice on purchasing tickets
will be announced shortly.
The Premier League has also committed to a full programme of 'Creating
Chances' activities, including coaching initiatives, refereeing schemes and
community schemes to run alongside the Barclays Asia Trophy. The Premier
League will run one of its innovative Premier Skills coaching courses as
well as a Barclays Asia Trophy Creating Chances Community Programme for
10-13 year-old children. The Premier League is working in close partnership
with the BFA on both initiatives which will culminate on the Thursday when
there will be a Barclays Asia Trophy Creating Chances Community Festival.
Premier Skills is an international coaching development project run by the
Premier League and the British Council. Designed to leave lasting legacy, it
provides week-long courses to coach the coaches at grassroots level in the
morning and afternoon workshops on coaching best practice and community
sport development. At the end of the course the coaches return to use their
new skills in their local communities.
West Ham United will have two coaches to join representatives from the two
other participating Premier League clubs to help run the course in Beijing
from Friday 24 to Thursday 30 July. Former Premier League player Warren
Barton will run Premier Skills in Beijing.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore said: "All of us involved
in the Barclays Asia Trophy are looking forward immensely to playing a
successful part in the 2009 Beijing Football International Festival. We know
that there is a great appreciation for Barclays Premier League football in
China and we are anticipating passionate home support in the Workers
Stadium.
"We also hope that our on and off-field knowledge will aid China's continued
progress as a football nation. The development of the game in China is
critical to football's future as the world's sport of choice.
"We have three fantastic clubs in Hull City, West Ham United and Tottenham
Hotspur - each of them says something about what makes the Barclays Premier
League so compelling. I am sure our clubs will take as much from the
experience as Beijing Guoan and the BFA."
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Quartet in action
WHUFC.com
Four West Ham United players could play for their respective countries on
Wednesday evening
10.06.2009
Four West Ham United players could be in international action for their
respective nations on Wednesday.
Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole will all have the 2010 FIFA
World Cup on their minds, while Luis Boa Morte's Portugal travel to Estonia
for a friendly.
Green and Upson will both expect to keep their places as England host
Andorra at Wembley looking for their seventh consecutive UEFA qualifying
Group 6 victory.
Green should make his second senior start and earn his fourth cap for his
country, while Upson would be appearing for the 16th time in England
colours.
The pair completed 90 minutes in Saturday's 4-0 win in Kazakhstan, but
should have a more comfortable evening against the Andorrans, who have
mustered no points and just two goals from their six matches so far.
Cole, who was not among the substitutes in Almaty, will be hopeful of being
named in Fabio Capello's squad this time around. The striker's only previous
England appearance at Wembley ended in disappointment as he suffered a groin
injury early in the 4-0 friendly victory over Slovakia on 28 March.
Boa Morte could earn his 27th cap when Portugal tackle Estonia in Tallinn.
The midfielder returned from three years out of the international scene in
Saturday's 2-1 UEFA qualifying Group 1 success in Albania.
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Noble pride at captaincy
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble was beaming after leading England Under-21s to a 7-0 victory
against Azerbaijan
10.06.2009
It was a proud evening for West Ham Untied at stadium:mk on Monday and in
particular Mark Noble as he was chosen to lead England Under-21s for the
first time.
Noble was handed the armband by coach Stuart Pearce and he did not
disappoint with an inspired display in the centre of midfield during the 7-0
win over Azerbaijan. The 22-year-old saw plenty of the ball during a 60
minute run-out and was a lick of paint away from scoring as the U21s warmed
up for the UEFA European Championship in Sweden in style.
"With the game we played and the scoreline it meant it was a really
enjoyable game to play in with the tournament coming up," Noble said. "I
felt really good. They weren't the best opposition but you've got to beat
what is put in front of you and we have done that with ease and we are
raring to go."
Noble's form in the match will no doubt have given Pearce food for thought
with regular captain Nedum Onuoha and fellow Manchester City defender Micah
Richards still to come back from injury, and the Academy graduate is
certainly taking nothing for granted.
"Nedum is captain normally so I'm just happy playing. If I'm captain or not
I'll still put in the same kind of performance."
The Canning Town-born Noble was taken off 15 minutes after the re-start to
rest his weary legs and afterwards he admitted he was grateful for the
break.
"I've played a lot of football this season and I think the manager
understood that. We've trained really hard and he just wanted to give
everyone a look. I think we were 4-0 up at the time so it was nice just to
come off, have a shower and rest the legs."
Noble and his team-mates are enjoying the second of two days at home with
their families before heading out to Gothenburg for final preparations for
the tournament, which begins on Monday with a game against Finland in
Halmstad.
"We've been training hard in Spain and it has really been put on well. But
after a long, hard season with West Ham it's good to get away and hopefully
I'll come back with a medal."
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Pearce hails 'outstanding' Tomka
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins has received the plaudits from England U21 coach Stuart Pearce
11.06.2009
Stuart Pearce would have no hesitation in throwing James Tomkins into his
starting eleven at this summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
The West Ham United defender put in a strong showing on his debut for
Pearce's side in the 7-0 friendly victory over Azerbaijan at stadium:mk
Tomkins was a calm and assured presence at the heart of England's defence,
while he also rattled the woodwork with a powerful header after just 45
seconds at the attacking end of the pitch.
Afterwards former Hammer Pearce, who has visited Chadwell Heath to check on
the likes of Tomkins, Mark Noble, Junior Stanislas, Freddie Sears and Jordan
Spence, said the 20-year-old centre-back had thoroughly impressed him on his
U21 bow.
"Tomkins, for his first cap, was outstanding I thought," said Pearce. "Right
across the group, not just the West Ham players, there were players without
a great deal of experience - the likes of Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs and
Everton's Jack Rodwell, the next generation if you like - who did very well
for us."
Pearce, who earned one U21 cap himself during a successful career for club
and country, said that Tomkins' upbringing at West Ham's famed Academy had
played a part in his mature display against the Azerbaijanis.
With fellow Hammer Noble also leading the side as captain, there will be a
strong West Ham influence in the squad at Euro 2009, which begins with
England's Group B opener against Finland in Halmstad on Monday.
"The one thing I must say is that they're all outstanding kids who have been
brought up in the right manner, enjoy their football and are dedicated to
their profession," observed Pearce. "Like the likes of Theo Walcott and
James Milner, they are desperate to play, wherever you put them."
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Brooking backs young Lions
WHUFC.com
Sir Trevor Brooking was at stadium:mk to see two West Ham United youngsters
in action
11.06.2009
Sir Trevor Brooking was on-hand to witness an England Under-21 side
featuring two West Ham United players sweep aside Azerbaijan 7-0.
Stuart Pearce's team were captained by Mark Noble, while defender James
Tomkins made his first appearance at U21 level. The match was the Young
Lions' final warm-up game before the UEFA European Under-21 tournament in
Sweden later this month.
Sir Trevor, who was in Milton Keynes in his capacity as director of football
development with the FA, was delighted to see the Academy graduates flourish
under the floodlights at stadium:mk.
"I think Nobes did well, he's obviously very experienced and he got a goal.
I thought James also did very well on his first game," he said.
Indeed, Tomkins looked assured in central defence alongside Chelsea's
Michael Mancienne, winning headers and using his customary composure on the
ball to good effect.
Tomkins' U21 debut will have been the icing on the cake of a fine year for
the 20-year-old that saw him start the Hammers' final 13 games of the
season, and Sir Trevor, who made 529 appearances for the club between 1967
and 1984, believes that run in the team played a big part in his selection
for the finals' squad.
"We know he's benefitted from the last couple of months and now he can knock
on the door to get in the starting line up. Jame and Mancienne played very
well together."
Sir Trevor knows just what it takes to make the step up to international
football - he won 47 caps for the England senior side, scoring five goals -
and having kept a close eye on the Tomkins' and Noble's development he
predicts big things for the pair.
"It bodes well for the future. Stuart obviously likes them both and whatever
happens now it should be good. Nobes will be out of the age group after the
tournament but James will be in the next cycle as well now."
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Green flies the flag
WHUFC.com
Robert Green played again as England were convincing 6-0 winners over
Andorra at Wembley
10.06.2009
Robert Green secured his second consecutive clean sheet on a very quiet
night as he helped England move to within touching distance of qualification
for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals with a 6-0 win against Andorra.
Green was making his first start at home for England and he is unlikely to
ever have an easier outing wearing the Three Lions. Indeed, such was
England's dominance that Green did not touch the ball until the 26th minute
and then following that every further touch he had in the first half, all
five of them, were roundly cheered by those fans that had managed to dodge
tube strikes to make it to Wembley.
After Wayne Rooney had given England the lead after just four minutes, they
never really looked back. Frank Lampard made it two just before the
half-hour mark before Rooney got his second six minutes before the break.
The second half carried on in much the same vein, although Green did have to
show good alertness to rush out of his box and the clear the danger with his
knee in the 64th minute. A brace from Jermain Defoe and a Peter Crouch goal
ten minutes from the end completed the scoring.
Carlton Cole was sent to warm up in both halves but in the end England
manager Fabio Capello chose not to bring him on, while Matthew Upson was
rested after helping England to a 4-0 win in Kazakhstan on Saturday. Man of
the match was Academy product Glen Johnson, after making four of the six
goals.
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Boa back with Portugal
WHUFC.com
Luis Boa Morte finished his season with an extended run-out as Portugal drew
0-0 away in Estonia
10.06.2009
Luis Boa Morte played 84 minutes as Portugal played out a 0-0 friendly draw
in Estonia on Wednesday night.
The West Ham United attacker got his second run-out for his country in five
days with the friendly encounter in Tallinn, having played 45 minutes at the
weekend in the 2-1 win in Albania that kept Portugal's hopes of reaching the
2010 FIFA World Cup alive. Boa Morte had not played for his country before
this week since the 2006 finals.
Boa Morte, who was replaced late on by Hugo Almeida, has now won 28 caps for
his country. He was initially recalled by coach Carlos Queiroz for a 47-man
get-together at the end of the season after his fine end of season form for
the club. The 31-year-old then impressed enough to be retained for the
24-man squad that travelled to Tirana and has now won two caps in quick
succession to keep alive his hopes of making it all the way to South Africa
next summer.
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Napoli to grace Boleyn
WHUFC.com
SSC Napoli will be the opponents when Gianfranco Zola's men return to the
Boleyn Ground on 8 August.
10.06.2009
West Ham United are pleased to confirm the club will be taking on SSC Napoli
in the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season on Saturday 8 August at
the Boleyn Ground.
The match, to be played for the Bobby Moore Cup, was finalised on Wednesday
afternoon. It will be a fitting fixture ahead of Gianfranco Zola's first
full campaign in charge. It was at Napoli where the manager's playing career
took off in the late 1980s. That culminated in Zola playing a part in the
Naples club winning only their second Serie A title when a certain Diego
Maradona led the way to success in the 1989/90 campaign.
This will be the second visit by an Italian club in three years after Roma's
visit in 2007. Coached by former Italy manager Roberto Donadoni, Napoli will
provide a similarly strong test for Zola's side before the Barclays Premier
League season begins a week later. In a hugely competitive Serie A, Napoli
finished the 2008/09 season in 13th place but have already begun
strengthening for next season.
Italy forward Fabio Quagliarella has just joined an attack that already
boasts Argentina ace Ezequiel Lavezzi and the highly-regarded Slovakia
playmaker Marek Hamsik. At the back, there are the likes of Fabiano
Santacroce, who played under Zola in the Italy Under-21 set-up and has
already figured in the Azzurri's senior squad. Hamsik and Santacroce, along
with team-mate Daniele Mannini, are well-known to technical director
Gianluca Nani as he spotted them for Brescia before their sales to Napoli.
The prestige pre-season opener at the Boleyn Ground has attracted a host of
leading clubs in recent years including PSV Eindhoven (2-1, 2003),
Anderlecht (4-4, Anderlecht win 5-4 on penalties, 2004), Osasuna (1-1,
2005), Olympiakos (1-1, 2006), AS Roma (2-1, 2007).
Last season, Carlton Cole scored in a 1-1 draw against Villarreal - the
first time the pre-season curtain-raiser was played as the Bobby Moore Cup.
That match was also notable for being the last time the club legend's famed
No6 was worn, with Matthew Upson handing over his shirt to Stephanie Moore
at half-time before returning for the second half in the No15.
Further information will follow via whufc.com as soon as it becomes
available.
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Hammers in keeper hunt
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th June 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are interested in signing another goalkeeper - despite having only
recently confirmed the arrival of Peter Kurucz. The Hammers, who released
both Jimmy Walker and Jan Lastuvka at the end of last season are moving
quickly to fill their goalkeeping quota ahead of the 2009/10 season, and are
understood to be keeping tabs on a young stopper currently plying his trade
in the Football League. With 19-year-old Marek Stech possibly going out on
loan next season new arrival Kurucz, 21, is set to join Alex Dyer's reserve
squad - with the mooted new arrival set to replace Lastuvka as Robert
Green's number two in Gianfranco Zola's first team squad. Green is set to
make his second start for England tonight when Fabio Capello's side take on
Andorra in their Group Six World Cup qualifier - a game that can be seen
live in the UK on ITV from 7:45pm. He is joined in the squad by fellow
Hammers Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole.
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Zola's forward thinking
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th June 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham look set to boost their attacking options prior to the start of
pre-season. With the likes of Diego Tristan, David Di Michele, Kyel Reid and
Lee Bowyer having been released at the end of last term and Freddie Sears
poised to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan Gianfranco Zola is somewhat short
of options in the final third of the field. But it is a problem that the
Hammers boss hopes to resolve soon with the arrival of three players - as
revealed by CEO Scott Duxbury yesterday - which KUMB understands are an
attacking midifelder and two forwards. Inter midfielder Luis Jiminez is, as
widely reported, one of the players involved and the Hammers are thought to
be close to completing a deal for the Chilean international, although
negotiations remain ongoing. Jiminez, should those negotiations proceed
smoothly, is likely to arrive on loan with view to a permanent deal. In
addition to Jiminez the club are understood to be closing in on two strikers
- one a youngster, the other a more experienced player - with view to
replacing Sears, Di Michele and Tristan. West Ham's only fit striker,
Carlton Cole, is currently with the England squad as they prepare for
tonight's World Cup qualifier against Andorra. Dean Ashton is set to return
to training when pre-season commences next month, whilst new boy Terry Dixon
is currently undergoing treatment for a muscle injury.
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Asia Trophy dates confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 10th June 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will kick off their Asia Trophy campaign with a
mouth-watering tie against Tottenham. The draw saw the two London clubs
picked to face each other in the semi-final of this year's tournament, which
takes place in Beijing between 29th-31st July. The other semi final will
feature local side Beijing Guoan and a third Premier League side, Hull City.
The two semi finals take place on Wednesday, 29th July with the West Ham v
Tottenham game kicking off at 11am BST (6pm local time) and Hull v Beijing
at 1.30pm BST (8:30pm local time). A third-place play-off for the two losing
semi-finalists takes place at 11am BST (6pm local time) on Friday, 31st July
with the final commencing at 1.30pm BST (8:30pm local time) that day. 49,000
tickets are being made available for each game, all of which will take place
in Beijing's Worker's Stadium. Those interested in travelling to China can
find details of travel arrangements on the KUMB.com forum. This year's
tournament is part of the 2009 Beijing Football International Festival, for
which several events are being staged throughout the summer. The inaugural
Asia Trophy was won by Chelsea in Malaysia back in 2003, whilst Bolton won
in Thailand two years later. Portsmouth are the current holders of the
trophy having beaten Liverpool on penalties in the 2007 final, held in Hong
Kong. All of the 2009 tournament's four matches will be broadcast live by
Sky Sports.
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Prem trio heading to Asia
Tottenham, West Ham and Hull to play in Beijing
Last updated: 10th June 2009
SSN
Tottenham, West Ham and Hull City are to take part in the Asia Trophy in
Beijing next month. Beijing Guoan, one of China's top teams, join the
Premier League trio in the pre-season tournament. Tottenham will face West
Ham on 29th July and the winners will then meet either Hull or the host side
in the final two days later. The Workers Stadium, which was used for the
Olympics last year, will stage all the matches.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is looking forward to the event after steering
Portsmouth to victory in the 2007 edition in Hong Kong. "It is a great
opportunity for fans from China to get to come and watch their favourite
players in action," said Redknapp. "I really enjoyed the last time I was
involved in the competition with Portsmouth two years ago in Hong Kong. "It
was a great few days in terms of preparation for the new season and I was
really impressed with everything."
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has also emphasised the
importance of helping the game grow in China. "The development of the game
in China is critical to football's future as the world's sport of choice,"
Scudamore explained.
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Zola pinpoints three major signings as West Ham deny exodus from Upton Park
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:29 AM on 10th June 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham have denied they will be forced to sell their star players - and
insisted boss Gianfranco Zola is closing in on three big signings. The
Hammers were taken over by asset management company CB Holding on Monday and
fears are mounting that the likes of Matthew Upson and Robert Green would be
sold this summer. But West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury is adamant the
club are in a healthy position in the transfer market. 'We are a
self-sufficient well-run football club and clubs or companies that are close
to administration can't purchase multi-million pound players,' he told the
Daily Telegraph. 'We purchased Savio, we have just exercised the option to
buy Herita Ilunga, we have just extended the contracts of Gianfranco and
Steve Clarke, so it's absolute nonsense. 'We have never been close to
administration and as long as I am here we never will be. Gianfranco has
identified three positions where he wants to bring players in who he
believes will improve the squad and the first-team. 'We are close to
securing those three players so the team will just improve. Ideally,
hopefully one of the players we can conclude in the next couple of weeks.
'But then the manager has gone on record as saying he wants pre-season to
start so he can assess his squad and then further decisions will be made.
'The three players in question - hopefully in the next few weeks we will be
able to announce something - but there is still a little way to go, but
talks and discussions have gone well and are ongoing.'
Duxbury also confirmed that the club will continue to bring young players
through from their acclaimed academy. 'The short-term and the long-term
goals are the same. We want to achieve success and it's through progression
and progression of the young players,' he added. 'We have a clear vision of
how we are going to achieve success. I work very closely with (director of
football) Gianluca Nani and Gianfranco, and Gianfranco's ideology is to
bring the young players through. 'You have seen the development on the
pitch this season and Gianfranco hasn't even had a pre-season with the team
yet. You will see the team improve. So the short and long-term are the same
goal, achieve success.'
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West Ham rival Chelsea for Man City's Sturridge
11.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United have moved to beat Chelsea for Manchester City striker Danny
Sturridge. The Daily Mail says Chelsea have a deal in place for the
Manchester City striker, 19, who is a free agent but will be subject to a
development compensation claim of around £10million. The prospect of working
with Gianfranco Zola is appealing to Sturridge but Chelsea remain
favourites.
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Blackburn, West Ham chasing 'new Patrick Vieira'
11.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
Blackburn Rovers are chasing the 'new Patrick Vieira'. The Lancashire
Telegraph says France youth international Steven Nzonzi is being watched by
Sam Allardyce's scouting network, with the club contemplating making a bid
for him to help ease their midfield worries. Nzonzi, 20, was part of the
Amiens side that were relegated from Ligue 2 but has shown enough to suggest
he could be the 'box-to-box' midfielder Rovers are searching for. His Amiens
contract runs until the end of the 2010/11 season and could cost somewhere
in the region of 500,000 euros, although he remains just of one several
midfielders being tracked by Rovers. West Ham and Newcastle United were
linked with the 6ft 2ins youngster last summer with French experts comparing
his style to former Arsenal man Patrick Vieira.
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Neill wanted to stay at West Ham
11.06.09 | Andrew Slevison
Lucas Neill's agent Darren Jackson has revealed how the defender wanted to
remain at West Ham but the club could not meet his wage requirements. The
Hammers skipper turned down a new contract offer and declared he would exit
the East London club, albeit with a heavy heart. "Lucas is very
disappointed," insisted Jackson.
"He did hope to stay at West Ham and he has enjoyed his time there. "West
Ham felt their offer was fair, but it was significantly less than what he
was currently earning, so we didn't feel it reflected his value to the club
considering his performances."
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West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury is confident Upson will stay
Hammers chief rubbishes reports that Matthew Upson will quit Upton park to
pursue his Champions League ambitions
Thelondonpaper.com
by: Kirk Blows
10 June 2009
WEST HAM chief executive Scott Duxbury is hopeful that Matthew Upson will
stay at Upton Park, despite the defender's come-and-get-me plea. Upson, 30,
has expressed a desire to play Champions League football to enhance his
England chances and has yet to extend his contract, which has two years
left. There are also reports that he has put his Essex mansion up for sale.
But Duxbury has played down Upson's comments and claims he expects him to
stay. He said: "All that Matthew was doing was publicly stating his
ambition. "We'll sit down with him and hopefully convince him we are just as
ambitious as he is. I'm very confident [he will stay]. If Matthew wants to
stay, then we want him to stay."
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West Ham Have Not Approached Luis Jiminez Yet - Agent
Representatives of the Hammers alleged target is unaware of a move to Upton
Park...
10 Jun 2009 12:45:08
Goal.com
The agent of Inter midfielder Luis Jiminez claims to have no information
regarding a possible move to West Ham United. Jiminez is rumoured to be a
target for the Hammers following comments from technical director Gianluca
Nani. But Rocco Dozzini, the Chiliean's agent, claims talks to make the move
happen are far from under way. "Personally, I have no information about it,"
said Dozzini, according to Setanta Sports. "At the moment, there is
nothing." Quotes from West Ham director Gianluca Nani appeared in UK
newspaper The Daily Mirror yesterday, in which he spoke of his admiration
for the player. "He is a great player, one who we have always followed. He
is a possibility but nothing is certain," said Nani. "He is also a non-EU
player and it is not easy to get a permit for those players in England."
Tottenham Hotspur are also rumoured to have emerged as possible rivals for
Jiminez's signature.
Jamie Dunn, Goal.com
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Jimenez Hammers talk cooled
by Adam Marshall , 10 June 2009
Setanta.co.uk
Inter midfielder Luis Jimenez's agent claims to know nothing of any interest
from West Ham. The Hammers admitted their admiration for the Chilean via
quotes atttributed to technical director Gianluca Nani this week. Tottenham
have also been linked with the unsettled South American but Jimenez's
representative insists that there have been no developments regarding his
client. "Personally, I have no information about it," declared Dozzini. "At
the moment, there is nothing." The 24-year-old is nicknamed 'El Mago' (The
Wizard) because of his dribbling skills.
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West Ham compete in China for cup
12:03pm Wednesday 10th June 2009
Guardian Series
WEST Ham will be heading to the Orient this summer - but they will not be
making the short trip to Leyton. Instead the Hammers will be taking part in
the Barclays Asia Trophy 2009, which has been organised by the Premier
League, the Beijing Football Association (BFA) and Barclays, and takes place
in China. West Ham will play fellow Premier League sides Tottenham and Hull
City and local team Beijing Guoan. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has plenty
of experience of the Workers Stadium, which will host the matches, having
coached the Italian national team at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Working
alongside Pierluigi Casiraghi, Zola's team played there in front of more
than 50,000 fans at the quarter-final stage, only to be defeated 3-2 by
Belgium. Zola, who is looking forward to returning to China, said: "The
Chinese people love football. I went there with the Italian Olympic team
last year and it was clear they have a passion for the game. I was
recognised by a lot of people and you could see that the Barclays Premier
League is very popular over there. "It is going to be an exciting experience
for everyone and we are looking forward to going to Beijing. This
pre-season, and the matches we will play in China, are going to be very
important for us because it will allow us to prepare for the new season in
the right way. "The young players will gain more experience and it is going
to help us to be stronger and improve on what we have achieved so far."
The Barclays Asia Trophy is one of the headline events at the inaugural 2009
Beijing International Football Festival. Now an established part of the
Premier League's fixture calendar, the Barclays Asia Trophy has been staged
in some of Asia's major cities - Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong. West
Ham will play Tottenham on Wednesday, July 29 (11am GMT) before Hull City
take on Beijing Guoan later that day. The two winners will then meet in the
final on Friday, July 31 (11am). There will be a third place play-off
between the two losing sides from the opening matches on the same day at
1.30pm.
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Spurs set to steal Jimenez from Hammers
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Metro.co.uk
Tottenham are hoping to pip West Ham to the post by stealing in with a late
offer for Inter Milan's Luis Jimenez. Hammers' technical director Gianluca
Nani is believed to have already flown to Italy to outline the east London
club's interest. However, the £10million-rated Chilian forward is known to
be keen to ply his trade in the Premier League and could be tempted to snub
the Hammers for a more lucrative move to the Lane.
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