WHUFC.com
Fans still have a chance to secure their seat for Sunday's Barclays Premier
League trip to Villa Park
14.01.2010
Tickets for West Ham United's first Barclays Premier League fixture of 2010
are still available. The Hammers travel to Aston Villa for what should be an
entertaining game on Sunday 17 January, with kick-off at 1.30pm. Gianfranco
Zola and his team will be looking to repeat the performance that earned them
a 2-1 victory at the Boleyn Ground when the two teams last met in November.
A win for West Ham this weekend could lift them to 13th in the table.
A number of tickets remain for purchase in person at the West Stand ticket
office. However, these will be returned to Aston Villa at close of business
- 1pm - on Saturday 16 January. After this time, at least 800 tickets will
be made available on the day from the away ticket kiosk on the corner of the
Doug Ellis Stand and North Stand at Villa Park.
Tickets prices are as follows:
*£38 for adults
*£34 for valid NUS card holders and members of the Armed Forces
*£29 for 17-21 year olds,
*£28 for over-65s
*£23 for under-16s
Supporters who are eligible for a concession ticket are advised to bring
identification to this fixture for validation. For organised club travel
information or ticket and membership queries please contact our customer
service team by calling 0871 222 2700 and selecting Option 3.
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Sears on the spot
WHUFC.com
Freddie Sears is back among the goals as he looks forward to a Premier
League return
14.01.2010
Freddie Sears is looking forward to Aston Villa on Sunday after marking his
first start since returning to West Ham United with two goals in the
reserves. The 20-year converted two second-half spot-kicks against Arsenal
in mid-week, one of which he won, to cancel out Jay-Emmanuel Thomas'
quick-fire first-half brace. Unfortunately for Sears and his team-mates,
Thomas was to go on to complete his hat-trick as the Gunners ran out 4-2
winners but the goals will have given the striker a boost ahead of the trip
to Villa Park.
"It was good game," he said. "Every time West Ham play Arsenal it is a big
game, whether it's reserves, youth or first team. I think we gave it a good
go. We went 2-0 down and then we got level and it was then disappointing to
let them get the other two goals. Before that happened I thought we had a
chance of going on and nicking it but it just didn't happen for us."
Sears had to twice face Vito Mannone in the Arsenal goal from 12 yards and
twice he came out on top by placing one spot-kick hard and low into each
corner. "It's more mind games for you and the 'keeper - you've been one way
and are you going to go the other? I remember Frank Lampard had three
penalties here and they were all different so I thought I'd change it up a
bit and luckily it went well."
Sears will have been as surprised as many when he saw who was going to be
marking him at the Boleyn Ground as Sol Campbell made a shock return for the
Gunners. The England Under-21 international, who has been handed the No19
shirt upon his return after a six-month loan at Crystal Palace, gave as good
as he got in the duel and was pleased to test himself against the former
England international. "It was good. Before the game, we heard Sol Campbell
was involved and it got us up for it a bit more. I think it got the crowd up
for it and the cameras were on us. He's a quality player and he gave Arsenal
a lot of experience."
Despite enjoying his temporary time at Palace, the striker is glad to be
back at Chadwell Heath and feels that he has taken a lot from his temporary
spell in south London.
"When you go out you go out to play games, it grows you up a bit. When
you've been at West Ham all your life to go somewhere else is difficult and
everything changes. It's really good and you come back a different player.
You feel more confident in and around the team and it's just good. It's
great to back and spirits are high at the minute."
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Fry causing a stir
WHUFC.com
Matt Fry has been widely praised for his performances on loan at League One
side Gillingham
14.01.2010
Defender Matt Fry was back at the Boleyn Ground this week to cheer on his
West Ham United team-mates in their Barclays Premier League South fixture
against Arsenal.
The 19-year-old, a regular in Alex Dyer's squad last season, has spent the
past three months on loan at League One side Gillingham. Fry has been in
superb form for Mark Stimson's side, earning rave reviews for his strong
displays from his manager, team-mates and supporters alike. In turn, the
centre-back has relished the opportunity to play regularly at the
Priestfield Stadium. "I've thoroughly enjoyed going out and playing
first-team football," the youngster told WHUTV. "It's what every young
player wants to do, and the manager at Gillingham has given me that
opportunity. "Playing reserve-team football is good, but when you go out and
you get the taste of first-team football, that's what you want to keep
doing. "It's especially nice when you get praise from your manager as it
relaxes you and calms you down a little bit. It was good for me and
definitely helped me settle in. Also, playing on a Saturday and on a Tuesday
has given me a taste of first-team football and what it's all about."
Fry has been ruled out with a knee injury suffered in the 1-1 draw at Exeter
City on 28 December, but hopes to return to action next month. The
first-year professional sees his long-term future at West Ham, but admitted
he would be happy to return to Gillingham to help the club's fight against
relegation to League Two. "I did enjoy going to team that's in a battle
because the games meant a little bit more. It's always nice when the three
points is so special at the end of the day. I'll get myself fit and see
what's happening here. I'd like to go back and play first-team football and
hopefully help Gillingham to climb the table."
To hear Fry's views on the high standard of League One football and his
close relationship with the Gillingham supporters, log on to WHUTV here.
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West Ham are treading water and will be sunk without deal
Ken Dyer
14.01.10
Evening Standard
The news that Cagliari president Massimo Cellino has declared a late
interest in bidding for West Ham has muddied the waters still further in the
East End of London. Cellino is a friend of Gianfranco Zola's and known to
West Ham's technical director, fellow Italian Gianluca Nani. With another
serious bidder, Air Asia owner Tony Fernandes, also hot-footing it to London
today for talks, things are shaping up nicely for CB Holdings, the company
which owns West Ham; its major shareholder, Icelandic bank Straumur, and
Rothschilds, the financial institution responsible for negotiating the
potential sale. At the last count there were four offers on the table for
the club - the David Sullivan/David Gold axis; Fernandes, the city-based
Intermarket Group who are hoping to finalise their package by tomorrow and
Cellino. Good news then for Straumur which, understandably, wants to settle
on a figure as close to its £100million asking price as it can. For West
Ham's sake, though, this deal now needs to be finalised as soon as possible
because, until it either happens or not, Upton Park remains in a vacuum.
Zola, an honourable man, has never made an excuse in his life but privately
he must be desperately hoping there will be an end game to this drawn-out
affair, at least by the beginning of next week if not before. At the moment
he has to prepare his squad to meet Aston Villa on Sunday amid a fresh round
of speculation and rumour.
Admittedly, this time Zola may have added to the public uncertainty with the
late entry of Cellino to the race. The two go back a long way. The
53-year-old who has made his money from cereals, has been at Sardinian club
Cagliari since 1992 and it was he who brought Zola back to his homeland from
Chelsea, to finish his playing career and then felt able to resist the
attempts by Roman Abramovich to lure Zola back to Stamford Bridge.
A week ago Zola, in an interview with this newspaper, voiced his anxiety
when he said: "This is out of my control. If I could buy this club, I
would." It now seems he has done the next best thing. If he can't buy West
Ham, he has found a man who can. If Cellino is now Zola's favoured choice,
which is still unclear, the one thing the Sardinian wants above all else is
an early end to this boardroom contest.
January, the month of the winter transfer window, is moving on apace and
West Ham are treading water. The club have consistently maintained they have
no financial need to sell their best players but rumours persist about
Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Robert Green and, latterly, Alessandro Diamanti
and Valon Behrami. A new owner should be able to come in and halt the
speculation at a stroke. He, or they, should be able to ally supporters'
fears about the team being decimated and even maybe, give them some
much-needed encouragement about signing new ones. The fans are
understandably anxious yet want desperately to believe that all the
uncertainty is nearing its end. In the meantime, the bidders are jockeying
for position, putting their monies where their mouths are. It looks finally,
as though by the beginning of next week, the picture, and the waters, may be
at long last be clearer.
Straumur, although in an enviable position of sitting back and waiting for
the offers to come in, is realistic enough to know there has to be some
clarification soon. The alternative is more uncertainty, more speculation
and, for the fans, more confusion. If West Ham were sitting comfortably in
the Premier League table, that would not be a disaster. When you are
hovering just one place above the bottom three, it could be.
Money men jostling for position as West Ham go under the hammer
David Gold and David Sullivan Former Birmingham City co-owners. Gold played
for the club's youth team.
What's the deal? The pair have offered to buy a 50% stake with future option
to buy the rest.
What does it mean for Zola? Gold and Sullivan (below) bring experience of
running a Premier League club and say they would make transfer money
available, but the club is said to prefer the Fernandes and Cellino bids.
Verdict? Offers a smaller, less glamorous bid than Fernandes but could prove
the most reliable prospect.
Massimo Cellino
President of Serie A side Cagliari. What's the deal?
Fronting a consortium that wants a majority stake in the club, saying it
will cover debt and provide transfer funds.
What does it mean for Zola? Cellino is a friend of his fellow Italian after
signing him for Cagliari in 2003, where Zola finished his playing career.
With links to the club's technical director Gianluca Nani too, Cellino would
make a key boardroom ally.
Verdict? Yet to be seen if this late entrant could be a surprise package.
InterMarket
London-based finance company. What's the deal?
The firm want 100% stake and say they will sign a 10-year commitment to the
club, but are yet to come up with the cash.
What does it mean for Zola? Ostensibly offers a promise of stability for the
manager, but it's unclear where the group will find sufficient funds to
deliver.
Verdict? The only bidder wanting complete ownership, but it seems they are
struggling to get funds together in time.
Tony Fernandes
Malaysian founder of Air Asia and boss of new Lotus F1 team
What's the deal? Fernandes wants a 50 per cent stake with an option to buy
the rest at a later date. There is also talk of a new share issue to provide
extra investment
What does it mean for Zola? The lifelong Hammers fan is keen to help the
manager after holding talks with him on the phone and will stop the sale of
star players.
Verdict? Fernandes (left) appears to have the surest access to funds and is
favoured by West Ham's banks.
Compiled by Rob Hastings
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Zola set for striker raid
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 14th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are running the rule over Belarusian striker Sergei Kornilenko with
view to a loan move. The Zenit forward is surplus to requirements in St.
Petersburg and according to Kornilenko's agent arrived in London last
weekend in order to spend a week on trial at Chadwell Heath. Oleg Artemov,
speaking on behalf of his client told the Russian media: "Kornilenko flew to
London on Friday and very much wants to play in England. He really is a good
option for West Ham. "Now it all depends on Gianfranco Zola. Sergey played
well for Belarus against England [at Wembley] and if all goes well, Zenit
will allow him to leave."
The-26-year-old started his pro career with FC Vitebsk in Belarus' Premier
League before moving to Dinamo Minsk, one of Belarus' largest clubs. After
scoring 23 goals in 45 appearances at the Dinamo Stadion Kornilenko joined
Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev, although was off to Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
within a year after making just nine appearances for Kiev. Three reasonably
successful years with Dnipro (23 goals in 80 games) followed before the 6'1"
international was snapped up by Russian outfit Tom Tomsk in 2007. Less than
a year later he moved from the Siberian city to 2008 UEFA Cup winners Zenit
St Petersburg, but having made just ten appearances for Luciano Spalletti's
side (six of those being as a sub) has been made available for transfer once
again.
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Lotus boss Tony Fernandes steps up his bid for West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Lotus F1 team boss Tony Fernandes has joined Italian Massimo Cellino as a
front-runner in the race to buy West Ham, BBC Sport understands.
Ex-Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan and finance company
Intermarket were in the hunt but are now believed to be outsiders. Cellino
is the president of Serie A side Cagliari, where Hammers boss Gianfranco
Zola ended his playing days. He is already in London, with Fernandes set to
fly in before the weekend. Italian journalist Massimo Marianella told BBC
Radio 5 live: "The deal (with Cellino) is not 100%, the Premier League is
now checking his past and the real economic situation. Tony Fernandes is
still a real option."
It is understood West Ham will not engage in any activity in the January
transfer window until the takeover situation is resolved. Sources close to
the east London club have indicated a deal could be completed by the end of
the week. All four interested parties claim to have connections with the
Upton Park outfit, and it could be the £100m asking price is reached. Gold
and Sullivan say they are long-standing Hammers fans and would make money
available for Zola to spend on transfers. Intermarket, which was hit by the
death at the weekend of chief executive officer Jim Bowe, is believed to
have former West Ham striker Tony Cottee as an adviser but must prove it has
the funds to secure a deal. Air Asia founder Fernandes has been a regular at
home matches for many years. Cellino, who was sighted at QPR's home match on
Tuesday, has publicly stated his admiration for former Italian international
Zola, saying: "He left football with the same class he had on the pitch."
But sources in Italy suggest the pair actually have a thorny relationship
and that former Cagliari boss Daniele Arrigoni, a close friend of Cellino,
could be brought in as manager if he wins control of the Hammers. The club
are currently owned by CB Holding, which has indicated West Ham are £38m in
debt. The main shareholder in CB Holding is Icelandic bank Straumur, which
has previously said it is in no hurry to sell the club although that was
before the various bidders became known. Zola has insisted he will not have
to sell his star players in the January transfer window. England goalkeeper
Robert Green, defender Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole have all been linked
with interest from big clubs.
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Ownership latest
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 15th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
It's been another busy day in the race to buy West Ham United FC - in the
media, at least.
Thursday began with news of Massimo Cellino's arrival on the scene as the
latest interested party and was swiftly followed by reports from Italy
reporting that a deal had been concluded, with calciomercato.com stating
'pending official confirmation, details of the transaction will be announced
in the coming hours'.
However their premature claims were rebuffed later in the day by fellow
Italian media outlets and sources somewhat closer to the deal here in
London. Despite the backtracking from Italy, Cellino is still considered to
be in with a shout, with the BBC claiming the race is now between him and
Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes.
Fernandes had set tongues wagging earlier in the day when he posted a fresh
update to his now keenly-watched and oft-quoted Twitter page: "In luxembourg
. Paid talk. Then to London tonight. Down to 2 bids for west ham. New owner
needs total control," he said somewhat cryptically, before later adding a
rather less ambiguous: "On my way to london".
But whilst the BBC may be writing off Double Ds Gold & Sullivan tonight, the
Daily Mirror couldn't agree less. Tomorrow morning's edition runs with the
headline 'Sullivan still confident of Hammers takeover despite Cellino
interest', stating that the former Birmingham City owner is confident that
the Italian will pull out of the race once he 'goes through the books and
sees the scale of West Ham's massive £100million debts' (most other sources
appear to agree that the club's debt is closer to £40 million).
All of which leaves Intermarket, who despite having failed to seduce the BBC
or Mirror into backing their bid can at least console themselves with the
fact that in the latest KUMB.com ownership poll, in which readers are asked
to vote for their choice to run the club, they currently lead with 44% of
the vote. The winner of the last poll (conducted a fortnight ago), Tony
Fernandes, trails some way behind in second place with 27% whilst Gold &
Sullivan and Cellino have 24% between them, as it stands.
Intermarket remain confident that they can push through a deal despite the
late interest from Cellino. Having suffered a major setback with the sad
loss of CEO Jim Bowe last weekend it looked as if their ship may have ran
aground, although sources insist that it remains very much on course.
With a final decision by CB Holdings, based upon the advice of Rothschild,
thought to be no more than two to three days away is still said that only
one party, Gold & Sullivan, have readied the necessary funds in preparation
for a successful bid.
The former Birmingham owners are hoping to take a 51% majority share in the
club (which they claim will allow them to invest in the January transfer
window) leaving the creditors of former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson with
the remaining 49%.
Intermarket, Fernandes and Cellino are thought to favour a full buy-out - as
are the majority of Irons supporters who are desperate to see the end of the
three-year Icelandic era.
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Aston Villa v West Ham United: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Aston Villa and
West Ham United at Villa Park on Sunday Jan 17, 2009, kick-off 13.30 GMT.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 6:00AM GMT 15 Jan 2010
Sunday, January 17
Aston Villa v West Ham United
Villa Park
Kick-off: 13.30 GMT
TV: Sky Sports 1, Highlights, BBC2 MotD2.
The clash of the clarets sees Villa, sixth, take on struggling West Ham, in
17th place. In this game last season, a Lucas Neill own goal earned Villa
the points but, in November at Upton Park, West Ham won 2-1 thanks to a last
minute goal from Zavon Hines – after Villa had had Habib Beye sent off in
the 85th minute. Villa should recall several players rested for the last
game, the 3-1 FA Cup win over Blackburn, with only Curtis Davies unavailble
through injury. West Ham, though, have problems with Guillermo Franco ruled
out with a muscle strain. He joins Keiron Dyer, Carlton Cole and Luis Boa
Morte on the sidelines.
Aston Villa (probable, 4-4-2): Friedel; L Young, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock;
Milner, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Downing; Agbonlahor, A Young.
West Ham United (probable, 4-5-1): Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Daprela;
Behrami, Parker, Kovac, Stanislas, Diamanti; Jiminez.
Referee: Mike Jones. Matches: 9. R1 Y31.
Last season: West Ham 0 Villa 1, Villa 1 West Ham 1.
Stat of the game: Villa have 35 points, three fewer at this stage last
season.
Betting tip: A 2-0 home win comes at 9-2.
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West Ham's Luis Jimenez Attracting Attention In Italy - Report
The former Inter player has several clubs interested in his signature...
Jan 15, 2010 7:47:00 AM
West Ham midfielder Luis Jimenez could make his way back to Italy, after a
host of teams along the peninsula are interested in signing the 25-year-old.
The former Inter player joined the Hammers over the previous summer, but
sides such as Catania, Chievo and Parma would like to have the Chilean
international wearing their colours. "There is a possibility that Jimenez
could leave our club," West Ham sporting director Gianluca Nani revealed to
Itasportpress.it. "But he could also remain. "No-one from the Parma, Chievo
or Catania societies have contacted me in regards to the player "Maybe, it
could happen over the next few days. "As it stands, up until today, I find
it impossible that the Chilean midfielder would return to Italy, as no-one
has approached me," Nani concluded. Stay tuned to Goal.com as we bring you
the latest on the story, as it develops.
Rick D'Andrea, Goal.com
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Massimo Cellino Will Sack Gianfranco Zola If West Ham Takeover Goes Through
– Report
Cellino is not impressed with the work of his fellow compatriot...
Jan 14, 2010 5:24:54 PM
Cagliari president Massimo Cellino is very close to taking over Premier
League outfit West Ham, according to Sky Sport 24. Cellino intends to make a
number of changes at West Ham when he takes control, with the first being to
oust current coach Gianfranco Zola and replacing him with Daniele Arrigoni.
Arrigoni interestingly managed the Rossoblu in 2004-05 and also has recently
coached Livorno and Bologna, although only for short spells. Cellino, an
entrepreneur, has been in charge of the Isolani since 1992, helping to
establish the club as a mid-table outfit in Serie A over the past few years.
He has reportedly outbid former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David
Sullivan for the Hammers. West Ham have struggled in 2009-10, with just 18
points from 20 league matches.
Adam Scime, Goal.com
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Fernandes could complete Hammers takeover on Friday
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
ESPN
January 14, 2010
The takeover of West Ham United is on schedule to be completed on Friday,
and Gianfranco Zola will immediately be handed an injection of substantial
funds to buy his way out of relegation trouble.
ESPN Soccernet has been told that the five lending banks have all agreed to
hand over control of the crisis torn East End club in time for Zola to
embark on a spending spree before the January transfer window closes. It
should be completed in the next 24 hours and, as ESPN Soccernet reported on
Wednesday, Tony Fernandes is in pole position, but is being hotly pursued by
former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan, with Massimo
Cellino, a property developer based in Miami, making a late bid. Fernandes,
the boss of Team Lotus - the returning Formula One outfit - and founder of
Air Asia, has already outlined his plans in detail, and has made a very
impressive pitch.
Debts have spiralled out of control since the collapse of Landsbanki, the
Icelandic bank in which Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, the former owner of West
Ham, held a 41% stake. Although CB Holdings' £100 million asking price has
never been met, the equity investment proposed values West ham at around
that amount. Without the takeover going through the Hammers would be hard
pressed to stave off relegation, and ultimately will have to face the
unsavory act of selling off their best players like Scott Parker and Matthew
Upson.
ESPN Soccernet's source comments: "Every day counts if the funds are to be
made available to the manager, everyone is acutely aware that time is
running out, so minds are focused on trying to tie up a deal as soon as
possible. It wouldn't surprise me it if went through on Friday." The feeling
among the lending banks is that Fernandez will be the better long-term
investor. With payments spread over a period of time with the capital going
into the club to alleviate debts of £75 million, that is of paramount
importance.
As for the late intervention of Cellino, that has put the cat among the
pigeons, but not without its problems, as he is already an owner of another
club - Cagliari - which would cause problems with UEFA. And of course, the
Premier League are tightening up their status exploration of any new owners
and the source of their funds to buy a club.
Rothschild, the investment bank appointed by CB Holdings to handle the sale,
is sure to play a prominent role in scrutinising the source of funds, which
has also caused Canary Wharf based InterMarket to fall down the list of
potential purchasers.
Cellino has been reported in the press as saying that he is acting as a
frontman for an unidentified consortium, but ESPN Soccernet has been told
that he has so far suggested he would be a potential purchaser in his own
right. The 54-year-old's fortune is apparently accrued from running his
family's commercial farming and property business, before taking control of
Cagliari in 1992. He convinced Zola to return to his homeland club after his
hugely successful spell with Chelsea.
He moved to Miami three years ago, but remains an active president of the
club, attending the majority of their matches. He also serves as
vice-president of the Italian League and has maintained close links with
Zola and Gianluca Nani, the Italian who is West Ham's technical director, so
his connections with Cagliari would need to further scrutinised before he
could even be considered a viable alternative bidder.
Cellino is a successful owner at Cagliari, providing the finance for the
club's new training ground and sports complex in Assemini and recently
announcing plans for a new stadium, the Karalis Arena, which he hopes will
form part of Italy's candidacy to host Euro 2016.
Intermarket, the London-based investment company, registered an interest,
but City sources have always been sceptical about the source of their
funding, while the proposed takeover suffered a setback last weekend with
the death of Jim Bowe, the company's chief executive.
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NIGEL QUASHIE NEARS QPR DEAL
14th January 2010
NIGEL Quashie is set to complete a £500,000 move to QPR. Quashie, who joined
West Ham in 2007, started his career at Loftus Road.
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Have We Been Bought or Not?
West Ham Till I Die
Kumb are reporting that a deal has been finalised in which Italian
businessman Massimo Cellino has paid £100 million for the club. An official
statement is expected at any time. Or not.
More later.
UPDATE: I'm told there will be no announcement tonight. Tony Fernandes is
hinting that it is between him and Cellino. Yet it is also thought
Intermarket will be tabling their bid tomorrow.
UPDATE 9pm: Tony Ferandes has just twittered that he is flying to London.
Now.
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Intermarket set out ten-year plan for West Ham
East London Advertiser
14 January 2010
Intermarket have announced they will stay at West Ham for at least 10 years
if they are allowed to take over the struggling Premier League club. The
American-based finance company are confident of taking over the Hammers and
owner David Byrne was keen to sound out their credentials. "I believe we're
offering the best package as well as guaranteed funds for this transfer
window," said Byrne. "We are the only party prepared to sign a 10-year
commitment to stay at the club. "We will do all we can to take West Ham into
a prosperous future off the pitch and a successful one on it."
The consortium was hit by the sad news that CEO Jim Bowe had passed away in
North Carolina but Byrne is adamant his death won't affect their takeover
bid. Jim had been my friend for two decades," said Byrne. "We worked on
deals together and it had always been my ambition to work with him in the
same company. "We had many plans for the future. West Ham was the first of
them. His death is a terrible blow, but he would have wanted us to carry on
and give it our all. "If we win this race (to buy West Ham), it will all be
because of, and for, Jim."
Their success is by no means assured and they face tough competition from
Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes as well as former Birmingham City
owners David Gold and David Sullivan. It has been suggested that Intermarket
are struggling to come up with the required funds. Fernandes reportedly flew
into London yesterday (Wednesday) in the hope of concluding a deal, while
Gold and Sullivan are unlikely to give up without a fight and have
reportedly made an improved offer. Current owners Straumur have consistently
stated they are in no hurry to sell the club, but with debts estimated at
around £38m it is likely a sale will go through soone r rather than later.
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No WAGS here please! West Ham's would-be owner and the stunning model he
kicked out of a party
By Nick Pisa
Last updated at 12:03 PM on 14th January 2010
Daily Mail
This is the stunning TV showgirl that potential West Ham buyer Massimo
Cellino asked to leave from a party he was hosting because she was 'too
exuberant.' Cellino, 56, it would seem, despite his Latin roots seems to
follow a sensible no wag policy just like England boss and fellow countryman
Fabio Capello. Stunning Belen Rodriguez, 26, who has dated AC Milan star
Marco Borriello, is one of the hottest and sexiest stars on Italian TV and
is on dozens of TV programmes and bill boards across the country - often
semi naked. She was also blamed for causing the split between Ivana Trump
and fourth husband Rossano Rubicondi after they got up close and personal on
Italy's version of Celebrity Survivor two years ago. Cellino however saw red
when Argentinian born Belen began to steal the show at a party he was
hosting in the Assemini club house of his Cagliari football club in Sardinia
and asked her to leave. Speaking to his local newspaper L'Unione Sarda,
after the incident which happened in September, Cellino said: 'I didn't want
her to ruin the party so I asked her to leave. 'She was having tantrums and
behaving like a prima donna. I told her that before she completely ruined
the party she should leave. 'I said that if she needed to get back to the
mainland I could even lay on a car to take her to the airport or put her up
in a hotel, it was completely up to her but I showed her the door. 'She was
having tantrum with the people organising the show and with the security
people. I did try and sort the situation out with her but she just kept
arguing with me. 'In the end it was a wonderful evening, it was a shame what
happened but we had some good bands on.'
Cellino himself plays guitar with a band who performed at the party called
Maurilos and reports said that despite her popularity guests clapped and
cheered when Belen was asked to leave. He is said to be willing to pay
around £60 million to bail out West Ham and link up with his old pal
Gianfranco Zola, who used to play for Cagliari.
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Kornilenko set for striker trial
Newham Recorder
14 January 2010
WEST HAM boss Gian-franco Zola is putting all his efforts into bringing a
new goalscorer to Upton Park following the latest injury to his strikeforce.
With Carlton Cole apparently on the way back and Guillermo Franco looking
impressive in claret and blue, it appeared that the Italian manager would be
looking for a right back and a back-up goalkeeper before contemplating
recruiting a new striker. But with Franco now likely to be out until
February, Zola is desperate to bring in reinforcements, though it is likely
to be only a loan move. The familiar names of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Nuno
Gomes have been mentioned, while Luca Toni's transfer to Roma from Bayern
Munich ended that little dream for West Ham, but it appears that a safer bet
may be Belarus international Sergey Kornilenko. The 26-year-old, who has
scored nine goals in 30 international appearances, has struggled to get into
the starting line-up of UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg since signing
from Tom Tomask six months ago in a £1.6million deal. Despite that, he has a
good reputation as a speedy striker and may compliment Cole's game.
Kornilenko is due at Upton Park tomorrow (Friday) for a trial and will be
looking to impress and get his career back on track after being told he is
not in Zenit's future plans. West Ham have also been linked with Matteo
Contini, a 29-year-old defender who plays for Napoli, and Palermo's
Brazilian goalkeeper Fernando Rubinho, but it is a striker who is now the
top priority for the Hammers. They will have just Frank Nouble and Freddie
Sears to choose from on Sunday against Aston Villa, and Zola knows that sort
of strikeforce will not be enough to haul West Ham out of trouble.
MEANWHILE, West Ham's postponed clash with Wolves has been rearranged for
Tuesday, February 2. The game, to be shown live on Sky Sports, will kick-off
at 7.45pm, although it will be rearranged if Wolves draw their FA Cup fourth
round match with Crystal Palace.
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Three West Ham United players who should face the chop
Sport.co.uk
Author: Jonny Abrams
Posted on:14 January 2010 - 13:46
…because January ain't just for buying, you know. Especially during these
perilous financial times. As such, Sport.co.uk takes a look at three West
Ham United players whom Gianfranco Zola might be tempted to trade in and
replace in order to get the club back on an upwards trajectory. (It's just a
facetious game; you don't have to play if you don't want to. No need to get
your knickers in a twist. We have already anticipated your irate reply and
chuckled at it.) So, will the following three players please place their
heads on the wooden block in front of them…and pay no attention to the
dark-masked man holding an axe standing to your right. We don't know him.
Honest…
Name: Matthew Upson
Age: 30
Position: Central defender
Estimated value: £10m
Upson's form this season has not been what Hammers fans or any watching
members of the England coaching staff would be accustomed to. Something's
not right there and, given that he remains in the international setup, is
still highly thought of and is now the wrong side of 30, perhaps it's time
to cash in on a player whose undoubted ability would almost certainly
attract some serious bidders.
Name: Mark Noble
Age: 22
Position: Central midfielder
Estimated value: £8m
Another player with a big reputation, except this chap can't back his up.
What exactly has Noble done, bar the very occasional nice goal, to be touted
as a future England player and become one of the first names on Zola's team
sheet? His presence has often seen the far more talented Jack Collison
shunted out to the wing, and the Hammers should really think about cashing
in on Noble before everyone realises how average he really is.
Name: Julien Faubert
Age: 26
Position: Right winger/right back
Estimated value: £4m
One can not apportion much blame to a player who has played the majority of
the season out of his natural position but surely Jonathan Spector would be
a better bet at right-back given that he is actually a defender. Perhaps
Faubert should not actually be sold but he is likely to want regular
first-team football and, with the form of Behrami and the 758th return from
injury of Kieran Dyer, he is not likely to force his way into the team at
right-midfield. Zola might be tempted to trade him in for a proper
right-back.
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