WHUFC.com
Jonathan Spector will go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup after being named in the
United States squad
26.05.2010
Jonathan Spector will become West Ham United's 16th FIFA World Cup player
after being named in the United States' final 23-man squad for South Africa
2010. The defender will be the first Hammer to represent the US at the World
Cup, following ten Englishmen, one Belgian, one Frenchman, one Scot, one
Czechoslovakian and one Trinidad and Tobagonian. The Arlington Heights,
Illinois-born player has earned 24 senior caps since making his debut
against Jamaica in Colombus, Ohio, on 17 November 2004. Since then, former
Under-16, U17, U20 and U23 international Spector has endured an
injury-blighted senior career, missing the 2006 World Cup and 2008 Olympic
Games due to shoulder and hip problems. The versatile defender was, however,
part of the US team that upset European champions Spain en route to the 2009
FIFA Confederations Cup final in South Africa, where they were edged out 3-2
by Brazil. The 24-year-old also featured in five qualifiers as Bob Bradley's
squad reached their sixth consecutive World Cup finals and ninth in total.
England will, of course, form the Americans' first opponents in South
Africa, with the pair meeting in Rustenburg on 12 June. The US will then
take on Slovenia and Algeria to complete their Group C campaign. Spector
believes the experience of having played in the country last year will stand
him and his team-mates in good stead next month. "There's a lot of belief,
actually. Our main objective is to get out of the group, and we don't want
to look too far ahead. After that, it's one game, a single-game elimination,
and we know no matter who we come up against, we were able to beat Spain and
took the Brazil game down to the wire. "We've shown we can compete against
two of the best teams in the world and probably two of the favorites to win
the Cup, according to most. We know when it's a single game we have the
ability to beat the top teams. "I'd certainly say it was an advantage for
us. For us, as a team, we know what it's like to be there, the atmosphere,
the day-to-day aspect of being out there. We know what to expect going into
it. It'll just be on a larger scale this time."
Spector could be joined at the World Cup by England trio Robert Green,
Matthew Upson and Scott Parker, Mexico forward Guille Franco, South Africa's
Benni McCarthy and Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami. All six will learn
their fate before the FIFA deadline for final squads to be named on Sunday.
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Defeat for Danny
WHUFC.com
Danny Kearns' Republic of Ireland U19s began their Elite Round qualifiers
with a loss to England
26.05.2010
West Ham United winger Danny Kearns was on the losing side as the Republic
of Ireland began their UEFA European U19 Championship Elite Round qualifying
challenge with a 1-0 defeat by England. The 19-year-old was introduced as a
half-time at the FFU Training complex in Kiev on Wednesday, with the Irish
having already fallen behind to a 37th-minute goal from Tottenham Hotspur
midfielder Dean Parrett. The defeat leaves Ireland facing an uphill task to
qualify from Group 3 and reach the finals for the first time in their
history. Kearns and his colleagues the 2009 champions Ukraine in their
second fixture at Borex in Borodinka on Friday. Ireland complete their Elite
Round fixtures by tackling Bosnia & Herzegovina at the FFU Training complex
on Monday 31 May.
While Kearns was in action, club-mates Jonathan Spector and Fabio Daprela
were not involved as their respective nations took to the pitch on Tuesday
evening. Spector was an unused substitute as the United States lost 4-2 to
the Czech Republic in a Send-Off Series friendly in Hartford, Connecticut.
The defender will hope to get some playing time when the Americans take on
Turkey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday. Daprela, meanwhile, was
not in Switzerland's matchday squad as they began their own UEFA European
U19 Championship Elite Round qualifying campaign with a 3-2 victory over
Austria in Schwaz. The teenager will also hope to be back in action when the
Swiss take on Denmark in Hall on Thursday and Serbia in Schwaz on Sunday.
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Spence agrees new deal
WHUFC.com
Defender Jordan Spence has agreed a new one-year contract with West Ham
United
26.05.2010
Jordan Spence has completed a May to remember by agreeing a new one-year
contract with West Ham United. The promising defender made his first-team
debut for the Hammers in the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with
Manchester City on the season's final day. Former England Under-19
international Spence then captained West Ham to the semi-finals of the HKFC
IP Global International Soccer Sevens in Hong Kong before returning to
England and celebrating his 20th birthday on Monday. After visiting the
Boleyn Ground to agree his new deal, which will begin on 1 July, the
youngster is jetting off for a well-earned holiday in Florida. "I'm pleased
to get it sorted and to know that I'll be at the football club next season,
so I'll be able to crack on and make progress. "To be honest, I never
thought I would be leaving. I've got faith in God and I know that as long as
I continue to work to my best, then He will take care of the rest and where
I'm supposed to be, I'll be. What I'm particularly pleased about is that
that place is going to be here."
Spence was loaned to Championship side Scunthorpe United during the early
part of the season, but returned to impress for Alex Dyer's reserves and
push his way into the first-team picture. "Being out on loan was always
going to be a learning experience and something I wanted to do in order to
help me to push on and help me do better when I came back."
Like every one of his club-mates, Spence knows his next task is to catch the
eye of the Hammers' new manager when he arrives at Chadwell Heath for
pre-season training in July. "When Alan Curbishley was here, I got sniffs of
the first-team set-up, but then there was a change of manager. It's a cliché
to say everyone starts with a blank sheet, but I'll obviously be looking to
impress whoever comes in and to kick on." Before then, the No42 is heading
to Florida for a well-earned holiday, but he is adamant that he'll keep in
shape while in the United States. "I won't be running along the beaches, but
I will be keeping it up. Funnily enough, after Hong Kong I feel quite
sprightly and fresh so I'll be looking to maintain my level of fitness. "It
was my second time in Hong Kong and everything about it was positive. It's a
great place, a great tournament and we also got to the semi-finals. Being
the oldest player out there, it was nice to see how the younger boys did and
how we worked as a team. "I also scored a couple of goals, one of which was
alright as well as there was a little run from the halfway line involved!"
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N'Gala to join Pilgrims
WHUFC.com
Academy graduate Bondz N'Gala will join Plymouth Argyle on a permanent
two-year contract in July
26.05.2010
West Ham United defender Bondz N'Gala has agreed to join League One
newcomers Plymouth Argyle on a permanent two-year contract. The Academy
graduate spent the final two months of the season on loan at Home Park,
where he made nine starts and impressed the Pilgrims' management and
supporters alike despite the club's relegation from the Championship. The
20-year-old, who made his one and only first-team appearance for the Hammers
in the 3-1 Carling Cup defeat at Bolton Wanderers last September, will sign
for Plymouth on a permanent basis when his contract at the Boleyn Ground
expires at the end of June. Born in Forest Gate, N'Gala joined West Ham when
he was 13, graduating from the Academy of Football in 2008. A former
reserve-team captain, the powerful centre-back spent time on loan at Blue
Square Premier outfit Weymouth before linking up with Championship side
Scunthorpe United for a month in October. Plymouth moved for him in March,
securing his services on loan until the end of the season. N'Gala quickly
settled in Devon, forging an encouraging partnership with Beninese defender
Reda Johnson. "I'm pleased to get everything sorted out," he said. "I am
going away soon to take it easy, but you have still got to keep ticking
things over. "I would like to get in the side again and play as many games
as possible. From the team's perspective, we want to get back up. "It was
easy playing with Reda and we developed a good partnership because we both
like to defend. "I am always up for a new challenge so, hopefully, I can
show what I can do and I'll be alright." West Ham United would like to thank
Bondz for all his efforts and wish him all the best in his future career.
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Franco's Wembley wonder
WHUFC.com
Guille Franco was delighted to score for Mexico at the Home of Football on
Monday evening
26.05.2010
Guille Franco was full of pride after scoring at Wembley in Mexico's 3-1
friendly defeat by England on Monday. The West Ham United striker beat
club-mate Robert Green with a low shot seconds before half-time, despite
having suffered a sprained toe just moments earlier. Franco underwent a scan
at the Home of Football immediately after the match and should be fit to
spearhead Mexico's attack at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they kick-off
the tournament against hosts South Africa on Friday 11 June. The
33-year-old, who will leave the Hammers this summer, has graced some of the
world's finest stadia during a long and illustrious playing career, but
admitted playing and scoring at Wembley was among the very brightest
highlights. "It was fantastic," Franco told whufc.com "I think for Mexico it
was a very important game because the same eleven players will probably
start in South Africa as they did against England." Franco will be sidelined
when Mexico take on the Netherlands at the Badenova-Stadion in Freiburg,
Germany, on Wednesday evening, but hopes to be fit when Javier Aguirre's
side take on Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday 3
June. I think it was very important for Mexico to play at Wembley and now
we'll continue with our friendly matches against Holland and Italy. "It's
difficult to analyse the game because we lost 3-1. Mexico played well and
Mexico had the ball and kept possession very well but we lost 3-1. It's not
easy to have one opinion about the game."
While some critics have suggested that England failed to convince in
defeating the CONCACAF Gold Cup holders, Franco believes Fabio Capello's
squad will be among the strongest at the World Cup. "I don't know if England
looked vulnerable. Of course England have a chance to win the World Cup.
It's a very good team with fantastic names and they have a good
possibility."
While the striker's immediate concern is getting fit for the biggest
tournament of his career, Franco admitted he did have one eye on securing a
club for the 2010/11 season.
The Argentine-born player joined West Ham on a one-year contract after being
released by Spainish side Villarreal CF, but will leave the Boleyn Ground
when his deal expires at the end of June. While his stay in east London may
have been relatively short - 23 appearances and five goals - the former Club
Atletico San Lorenzo de Almagro and CF Monterrey man will depart with fond
memories of his time in claret and blue. "I don't know where I'll be next
season. West Ham told me 'Bye bye' so I won't be with West Ham next season.
Now my focus is on the international team and the World Cup and then I'll
think about next season. "Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham. The
supporters and the people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in
West Ham, but now it's finished and this is football."
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Kearns goes for glory
WHUFC.com
Danny Kearns will be keen to fire the Republic of Ireland to the UEFA
European U19 Championship finals
26.05.2010
West Ham United winger Danny Kearns will be eager to fire the Republic of
Ireland to the UEFA European U19 Championship finals when their Elite Round
Group 3 qualifiers get started on Wednesday. The 19-year-old scored on his
full debut for the Republic against Poland in April, having switched
international allegiance from Northern Ireland earlier this year.
Belfast-born Kearns has been named in Sean McCaffrey's squad for the Elite
Round qualifiers against England, mini-group hosts Ukraine and Bosnia &
Herzegovina.
The teenager will hope to be named in McCaffrey's starting lineup when the
Irish tackle England - who will be without the unavailable Frank Nouble due
to Swindon Town's involvement in Saturday's League One play-off final - at
the FFU Training complex in Kiev on Wednesday. Ireland face a tough task to
qualify for the eight-nation finals in France this summer, facing last
year's beaten finalists in England and the 2009 champions Ukraine in their
second fixture at Borex in Borodinka on Friday. Kearns and his team-mates
complete their Elite Round fixtures by tackling Bosnia & Herzegovina at the
FFU Training complex on Monday 31 May.
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Mexico striker Guillermo Franco to leave West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Mexico striker Guillermo Franco is to leave West Ham after the club decided
against extending his contract. The 33-year-old's one-year contract expires
at the end of June and the east London club have told him they will not
offer him a new deal. He scored five goals in 23 matches for the Hammers
but said the club "told me 'bye bye' so I won't be with West Ham next
season". West Ham signed Franco in September after he was released by
Villarreal. "I don't know where I'll be next season," added Franco. "Now my
focus is on the international team and the World Cup and then I'll think
about next season. "Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham. The supporters
and the people were fantastic." The striker scored Mexico's goal in
Monday's 3-1 friendly defeat by England and is expected to feature
prominently for his country during the World Cup.
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The General's last stand
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th May 2010
By: Staff Writer
Guillermo Franco has confirmed that he will not be playing for West Ham next
season. The 33-year-old Mexican international, who scored against England at
Wembley on Monday had been hoping to land a second year at the club
following a fairly successful first season in English football. However he
confirmed today that he will be leaving the club having failed to be offered
a new deal. "I don't know where I'll be next season," he told whufc.com.
"West Ham told me 'bye bye' so I won't be with West Ham next season. Now my
focus is on the international team and the World Cup - and then I'll think
about next season. "I enjoyed my time at West Ham; the supporters and the
people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in West Ham, but now it's
finished and this is football."
Better news however for young full-back Jordan Spence, who briefly appeared
as a late substitute during the 1-1 draw with Manchester City on the final
day of last season and was recently involved in the Hong Kong Sevens
tournament. He has been awarded a one-year extension to his current
contract, which takes him up to next summer. "I'm pleased to get it sorted
and to know that I'll be at the football club next season, so I'll be able
to crack on and make progress," he said. "To be honest, I never thought I
would be leaving. I've got faith in God and I know that as long as I
continue to work to my best, then He will take care of the rest and where
I'm supposed to be, I'll be. What I'm particularly pleased about is that
that place is going to be here."
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Behrami sale a non-starter
Hammers star unlikely to be sold this summer
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 26th May 2010
SSN
Valon Behrami's agent claims to be '99 per cent certain' his client will be
staying at West Ham. The versatile Swiss star has been the subject of
mounting transfer talk of late, with his future believed to be hanging in
the balance. Rumours of a proposed move to Serie A outfit Palermo refuse to
go away, with the Italians admitting to holding an interest in the player.
West Ham have no intention of selling, though, with the club keen to avoid a
repeat of their 2009/10 relegation dogfight. They have revealed that they
are willing to listen to offers for a number of their first-team squad, but
have made it clear that Behrami is not among them. That means the
25-year-old, who is currently preparing for World Cup duty, will still be at
Upton Park come the end of the summer. "Valon is thinking about the World
Cup, his future will be tackled later," Behrami's agent, Alessandro
Beltrami, told tuttomercatoweb. "West Ham have declared him
non-transferable, so I think it is 99 per cent certain he will remain in
England. "Talk of Palermo? That is good because it means the player has done
well. However, we are happy that West Ham have made him unavailable for
transfer."
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Franco set for Hammers exit
Mexico forward to be released by London club in June
Last updated: 26th May 2010
SSN
Mexico striker Guillermo Franco has revealed he will be released by West Ham
when his contract expires in June. Franco, who scored Mexico's solitary goal
against England in the pre-World Cup friendly at Wembley on Monday, will
compete in South Africa for his country this summer, but has struggled to
make an impact in the Premier League. The 33-year-old arrived at Upton Park
from Villarreal last year, becoming the first Mexican to sign for the London
club. Argentina-born Franco, who made 23 appearances for the Hammers this
season and scored five goals, will be allowed to leave on a free transfer.
"I don't know where I'll be next season. West Ham told me 'bye bye' so I
won't be with West Ham next season," Franco told the club's official
website. "Now my focus is on the international team and the World Cup and
then I'll think about next season. "Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham.
The supporters and the people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in
West Ham, but now it's finished and this is football."
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Prem duo eye Speroni
Fulham and West Ham tracking Palace shot-stopper
Last updated: 26th May 2010
SSN
Skysports.com understands West Ham and Fulham have entered the race for
in-demand Crystal Palace keeper Julian Speroni. The Argentinean is already a
target for Queens Park Rangers, where former Eagles boss Neil Warnock is
thought to be eager to bring him in. Last week, Speroni refused to rule out
a move to Loftus Road amid reported interest but attention from the Premier
League may also appeal to the former Dundee stopper. Having won Palace's
Player of the Year for the past three seasons, Speroni could expect to
displace 36-year-old Radek Cerny as Rangers' first choice. However, the
31-year-old would face competition from England international Robert Green
and Australia international Mark Schwarzer of West Ham and Fulham
respectively should their interest materialise. With the club finishing the
season in administration, Palace's financial difficulties may leave them no
choice but to sell their shot-stopper, who has made 171 appearances for the
club.
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Mido bill hits Teesiders
The Sun
Published: Today
MIDO is all set to land Middlesbrough with a £1.3million headache by seeing
out his contract with the Teessiders. Boro are desperate to offload the
Egypt striker - who failed to impress on loan at West Ham last season - but
have failed to find a buyer. Cash-strapped Boro now face having to cough-up
Mido's £25,000-a-week wages for the last 12 months of his contract. Mido,
27, insisted: "I'm under contract at Middlesbrough, and if I didn't get a
better offer this summer, then I'll stay. "Clubs have showed interest in me
but I haven't received an offer yet. I could stay and help the team get
promoted to the Premier League."
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Franco set for West Ham Exit
The Sun
Published: 26 May 2010
MEXICAN striker Guillermo Franco has confirmed that he is leaving West Ham
this summer. Franco scored five goals in 21 Premier League games for the
Hammers but his one-year contract expires at the end of June. He said: "I
don't know where I'll be next season. West Ham told me 'Bye bye' so I won't
be with West Ham next season. "Now my focus is on the international team and
the World Cup and then I'll think about next season. "Of course I enjoyed my
time at West Ham. The supporters and the people were fantastic. I very much
enjoyed my year in West Ham, but now it's finished and this is football."
The 33-year-old forward joined West Ham last September after he was released
by Spanish club Villarreal.
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Everton striker Yakubu agrees deal in principle to be Avram Grant's first
major signing at West Ham United
Israeli to make Nigerian forward his first signing...
26 May 2010 14:06:00
Goal.com
By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent
Avram Grant will make Yakubu his first major signing when he is appointed
West Ham United manager, Goal.com UK understands. Upton Park sources say
Grant's switch from Portsmouth is "99 per cent" completed and he will be
appointed on either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, assuming that there
are no last-minute hitches — and Everton's Nigerian striker has already
verbally agreed to join him at the club after the World Cup. The Israeli is
set to be given a three-year contract worth around £1.3 million-a-year,
£600,000 less than his predecessor Gianfranco Zola, who was sacked earlier
this month for an alleged breach of contract. There have already been talks
between Grant and West Ham officials about identifying players to replace
the likes of Carlton Cole, Robert Green and Matthew Upson. Chief executive
Karren Brady reiterated again yesterday that Aston Villa target Scott Parker
is not for sale but West Ham will listen to offers for the other prize
assets as owners David Sullivan and David Gold attempt to slash the club's
"enormous" debts and drastically reduce their wage bill. Sullivan is working
closely with the agents Pini Zahavi, Barry Silkman and Willie McKay to bring
in new players. The east Londoners have already rejected bids from
Birmingham City, Fulham and Stoke City – as well as an unnamed Italian club
– for Cole because they have fallen short of their £15 million valuation.
Everton striker Yakubu has been earmarked to replace Cole after ambitious
attempts to bring in Thierry Henry, Kevin Kuranyi and Sidney Govou failed.
West Ham are confident that they can prise the Nigerian from Goodison Park
for around £7m. It is understood that a deal has already been agreed in
principle with Yakubu's representatives. The club are also interested in
Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara – Upson could be offered in part-exchange
– and Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng. Sullivan said today that there is
only a "10 per cent" chance of England goalkeeper Robert Green leaving but
it is understood that Bundesliga club Schalke 04 are monitoring the
situation closely. Grant will be given free reign to bring in his own
backroom staff after telling the West Ham board that he did not want to
resume his partnership with assistant manager Steve Clarke. The pair worked
together at Chelsea but did not hit it off and Clarke, who was appointed by
Zola and is believed to earn £1.2m-a-year, has been told to go.
Pay-off negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage. The Scot has 16
months to run on his contract but West Ham are confident that they will save
money by paying Clarke off and bringing in someone on a considerably cheaper
salary. As the clear-out begins, Alessandro Diamanti and Valon Behrami have
already been told to find new clubs while Guillermo Franco is a free agent
after not being offered a new contract. January arrivals Ilan and Mido are
also set to leave. Meanwhile, Zola is waiting to hear from the League
Managers' Association when a date will be set for his Premier League
arbitration hearing. The Italian started legal proceedings against West Ham
following his dismissal.
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Scott the brave
Posted by Jon Carter
ESPN
The holding role for England is getting a lot of attention. Ledley King?
Gareth Barry (if fit), Owen Hargreaves? David Batty? Martin Samuel in the
Daily Mail argues that a Batty figure is missing and West Ham's Scott Parker
provides the answer.
And so it comes to this. Huddled around the wireless for news of Gareth
Barry's ankle. Really? A nation with designs on the World Cup plunged into
crisis because the sort-of holding midfield player might not make the first
two games? Look, it's not ideal, but there is drama and there is crisis and
Barry's race to get fit for June 1 when Fabio Capello finalises his squad
fits firmly in the non-critical category.
We fret over Wayne Rooney because he is irreplaceable. So, too, Ashley Cole,
or the fragile collection of central defenders. But Barry is a cog in a
wheel. A very efficient cog, a slick and well-oiled cog without doubt, a cog
that the manager has come to rely upon, but a machine part nonetheless. And
parts can be replaced. The rising panic over Barry's fitness has been
intensified by a dismal performance in the holding role against Mexico from
Michael Carrick. No surprise there.
One day an England coach is going to tot up all the opportunities Carrick
has been given to win his place in deep midfield, and it will bring an end
to his international career. He is a good club player but struggles to make
the step up. In his defence, Carrick is not a conventional holding midfield
player. Then again, neither is Barry. And that is why the hole left by his
absence can be mended...
...Capello's best option would be to turn to Scott Parker, the least
heralded of his midfield squad men.
Parker has been in outstanding form for West Ham United this season, but
that is not the reason to pick him. It is not his West Ham self that England
need because for his club Parker is the equivalent of Gerrard for Liverpool,
and Capello already has a player like that; the original, in fact.
No, Parker scores because he is the best midfield tackler in Capello's
extended England squad and if Barry is injured what is required is a
destroyer who can break up play and use the ball simply. Parker would be
more suited to this role than Carrick, James Milner or Tom Huddlestone, the
trio Capello deployed against Mexico. All three are better passers but, as
long as Parker is not tempted into over-ambition, this need not matter.
England do not need Glenn Hoddle when what is missing is David Batty. A
ball-winner who then serves the ball quickly is key to any number of great
teams. With direction from a world-class coach, Parker could become more
important to the team than Barry.
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West Ham close to confirming Avram Grant as new manager
Avram Grant is expected to be presented as West Ham United manager next
Wednesday.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 9:14PM BST 26 May 2010
Avram Grant's arrival at West Ham is almost certain to see the club's former
assistant manager Steve Clarke move on. West Ham are holding talks with
Steve Clarke, the assistant manager who was appointed alongside Gianfranco
Zola, over an "amicable settlement". Clarke earns £900,000-a-year and has
two years left on his deal but it is understood that he accepts he has to
leave to make way for Grant, who last week resigned from Portsmouth. Sport
on television At one stage, Clarke had hoped to succeed Zola, who was
dismissed at the end of the season in an abrupt meeting with vice-chairman
Karren Brady. Zola was accused of a breach of contract but he is taking
legal action over the departure and a date is due to be set by the Premier
League for an arbitration hearing over the Italian's pay-off. He earned £1.9
million-a-year but left without a settlement. Grant has been targeted by the
club's co-chairman David Sullivan who secured his release from Portsmouth
without any compensation. It's understood the Israeli, who is close to
Sullivan's adviser, the agent Barry Silkman, has agreed a three-year deal on
a salary of £1.9 million and has already been involved in discussing
transfer targets and players who can be sold. Portsmouth, meanwhile, have
offered to pay their creditors 20 pence in every pound they owe, says the
club's administrator. The Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) proposal will be
sent to creditors in the next 24 hours and if accepted will allow Pompey to
exit administration. The 20 pence offer is payable over five years, with 75
per cent of unsecured creditors needing to support the CVA.
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Guillermo Franco to leave West Ham
Guillermo Franco is to be released by West Ham after helping the club to
escape relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 4:23PM BST 26 May 2010
Mexico striker Guillermo Franco has been released by West Ham Photo: GETTY
IMAGES Franco, currently preparing for the World Cup with Mexico, admits he
is already looking for a new club. The Argentine-born player joined West Ham
on a one-year contract after being released by Spanish side Villarreal, but
will leave the Boleyn Ground when his deal expires at the end of June. Sport
on television ''I don't know where I'll be next season,'' said Franco.
''West Ham told me 'bye bye' so I won't be with West Ham next season. ''Now
my focus is on the international team and the World Cup and then I'll think
about next season. ''Of course I enjoyed my time at West Ham. The supporters
and the people were fantastic. I very much enjoyed my year in West Ham, but
now it's finished and this is football.''
Franco, 33, made 23 appearances and scored five goals during his stay with
the Hammers. The striker scored Mexico's goal in Monday's 3-1 friendly
defeat to England at Wembley but collected a toe injury during the game.
However, he expects to be fit for the tournament. Meanwhile, West Ham have
agreed a new one-year contract with defender Jordan Spence. The promising
defender made his first-team debut for the Hammers in the 1-1 Barclays
Premier League draw with Manchester City on the season's final day. Spence
said: ''I am pleased to get it sorted and to know that I'll be at the
football club next season, so I'll be able to crack on and make progress.
''To be honest, I never thought I would be leaving. I've got faith in God
and I know that as long as I continue to work to my best, then He will take
care of the rest and where I'm supposed to be, I'll be. ''What I'm
particularly pleased about is that that place is going to be here.'' Spence
was loaned to Championship side Scunthorpe during the early part of the
season but returned to push his way into the first-team picture. Now,
following Gianfranco Zola's departure as manager, Spence is looking to
impress again when the new boss, thought to be Avram Grant, is finally
announced. He said: ''Being out on loan was always going to be a learning
experience and something I wanted to do in order to help me to push on and
help me do better when I came back. ''When Alan Curbishley was here, I got
sniffs of the first-team set-up, but then there was a change of manager.
It's a cliche to say everyone starts with a blank sheet, but I'll obviously
be looking to impress whoever comes in and to kick on."
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Grant ready to bring Pompey boys with him
26 May 2010
Romford Recorder
AVRAM GRANT hasn't even arrived at Upton Park yet, but already the stories
about players he is planning to bring with him are hitting the headlines.
The Israeli coach is expected to be appointed as Gianfranco Zola's
replacement next week as the two parties thrash out the details of his
contract. But in the meantime, West Ham have been linked to five of the
Pompey boys who stormed into the FA Cup Final last month. Jamie O'Hara, who
has returned to Tottenham after his loan spell at Fratton Park, was the
first choice for the Hammers to add some flair to the midfield, but he seems
to be beyond West Ham's financial limit as Spurs slapped an £8m transfer fee
on his sale. That leaves those still on the south coast and it seems that
Grant and West Ham have pinpointed four potential players to add to the
Hammers squad. Kevin-Prince Boateng, who missed that penalty against Chelsea
at Wembley in the Cup Final, is supposedly the top target. But West Ham are
also running an eye over centre backs Marc Wilson and Tel Ben-Haim, players
who have excelled under Grant's tutelage at Pompey. Full back Nadir Belhadj
is another player under consideration and it seems that following
Portsmouth's move into administration and consquent relegation, the club is
prepared to listen to offers for any of their players. On the reverse side,
it seems that Valon Behrami has played his last game for West Ham. The Swiss
international midfielder, who will go to South Africa with his country, was
missing from the final game of last season, and now it seems that he will
not be returning. Manchester City are said to be interested in signing the
25-year-old former Lazio player, who made 55 appearances in claret and blue,
scoring just three goals.
However, a return to Italy seems to be the best bet, with Palermo the likely
destination for the popular player. Carlton Cole continues to interest a
variety of Premier League clubs, while Mark Noble has been linked with a
£5million move to Aston Villa or Stoke City and, perhaps inevitably, Hammer
of the Year Scott Parker is a target for all the top teams in the division.
It is hard to see how any business can be done by the Hammers before Grant
is finally installed next week, but West Ham's owners are anxious to get
deals in place - both out and in - as soon as possible to get a head start
for the new season. At the moment, West Ham are stuck in limbo waiting for
the new man to come along, but one thing is for sure, once he does arrive
there is going to be plenty of activity both in and out of the West Ham
revolving door.
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Clarke set to quit Upton Park
26 May 2010
Romford Recorder
HAMMERS assistant manager Steve Clarke is set to leave the club in the next
few days. Former manager Gianfranco Zola's number two is thought to be
negotiating a settlement for the remainder of his contract, and West Ham
hope to bring in a new man with the surplus of the funds available, had the
former Chelsea man seen out his deal. Many thought that with Avram Grant set
to be unveiled as the new boss, Clarke would renew the partnership they once
had at Chelsea. However, this seems now not to be the case. The Israeli is
expected to take the reigns at Upton Park this Tuesday.
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Scott the brave: Why tough-tackling Parker must be given his chance
By Martin Samuel
Last updated at 12:59 AM on 27th May 2010
Daily Mail
And so it comes to this. Huddled around the wireless for news of Gareth
Barry's ankle. Really? A nation with designs on the World Cup plunged into
crisis because the sort-of holding midfield player might not make the first
two games? Look, it's not ideal, but there is drama and there is crisis and
Barry's race to get fit for June 1 when Fabio Capello finalises his squad
fits firmly in the non-critical category. We fret over Wayne Rooney because
he is irreplaceable. So, too, Ashley Cole, or the fragile collection of
central defenders. But Barry is a cog in a wheel. A very efficient cog, a
slick and well-oiled cog without doubt, a cog that the manager has come to
rely upon, but a machine part nonetheless. And parts can be replaced. The
rising panic over Barry's fitness has been intensified by a dismal
performance in the holding role against Mexico from Michael Carrick. No
surprise there. One day an England coach is going to tot up all the
opportunities Carrick has been given to win his place in deep midfield, and
it will bring an end to his international career. He is a good club player
but struggles to make the step up. In his defence, Carrick is not a
conventional holding midfield player. Then again, neither is Barry. And that
is why the hole left by his absence can be mended. Capello's 4-2-3-1 system
is designed to solve several specific problems: a defined forward role for
Steven Gerrard, allowing interchange with Rooney; accommodating Gerrard and
Frank Lampard in the same team; playing Rooney in an area in which he is
difficult to mark. Capello has succeeded in each of these aims.
Rooney was the top scorer in UEFA's World Cup qualifying groups; Gerrard
enjoyed some of his best games for England. The system, however, has a
profound weakness. Strictly, it requires two guarding midfielders, and
England do not possess one. Lampard and Barry do a shift there, but neither
is a holding player. Barry is more frequently described as such, but often
ends up farther forward than Lampard who displays the greater discipline of
the two. This is why if Barry does not recover in time for South Africa,
Capello's best option would be to turn to Scott Parker, the least heralded
of his midfield squad men. Parker has been in outstanding form for West Ham
United this season, but that is not the reason to pick him. It is not his
West Ham self that England need because for his club Parker is the
equivalent of Gerrard for Liverpool, and Capello already has a player like
that; the original, in fact.
No, Parker scores because he is the best midfield tackler in Capello's
extended England squad and if Barry is injured what is required is a
destroyer who can break up play and use the ball simply. Parker would be
more suited to this role than Carrick, James Milner or Tom Huddlestone, the
trio Capello deployed against Mexico. All three are better passers but, as
long as Parker is not tempted into over-ambition, this need not matter.
England do not need Glenn Hoddle when what is missing is David Batty. A
ball-winner who then serves the ball quickly is key to any number of great
teams. With direction from a world-class coach, Parker could become more
important to the team than Barry.
In the mind of many, Parker suffers from grim recall of his sole start for
England, against Croatia in Zagreb under Steve McClaren. He had a poor game
that night, but was hardly alone. Carrick and Lampard were equally
ineffective but have not seen their international careers damaged
irreparably. Parker's job was to resist, and he did. It was not his fault
that England created little, that Ashley Cole was out-jumped by Eduardo or
that Paul Robinson, the England goalkeeper, had wandered off his line. His
duties hardly included pitch maintenance, either.
Even so, certain of Barry's strengths are plainly beyond him. Parker is
right-footed, for instance, and there is little doubt Capello enjoys the
benefit of having the left-footed Barry adding balance to the midfield. His
range of passing is superior, too, and he has an excellent understanding
with Gerrard. Their partnership is a key factor in England's attacking
strength, particularly with Ashley Cole overlapping on the left flank. It
was clear how much Gerrard missed Cole's influence when Leighton Baines
filled in against Mexico. Barry's absence will not have helped, either. Yet
playing Parker brings other advantages. His uncompromising tackling has been
described as the best in the Premier League by Jamie Redknapp. Capello
should make it clear that this is what will secure his place in the team.
There are other midfield players to shuttle box to box, there are greater
talents to make the killer pass, or score the winning goal. Parker brings
what England lack, a ball-winning battler. We may yet be able to roll those
prayer mats away. Unfit, Barry can be replaced; even fit he may still not be
Capello's most calculating option.
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West Ham must double £5m offer to clinch signing of Everton striker Yakubu
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:27 AM on 27th May 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham have had a £5million offer for Everton striker Yakubu turned down.
Sportsmail revealed West Ham's interest earlier this month and they have
made the first step in testing Everton's resolve - only to be rebuffed.
Goodison manager David Moyes has limited funds and is keen on Manchester
City's Craig Bellamy but he would want closer to the £11.25m he paid for
27-year-old Yakubu before considering a sale. He is also bracing himself
for an offer from Tottenham for Steven Pienaar so is determined to
strengthen rather than weaken his squad first. Moyes, who has also fended
off interest from Manchester City in Mikel Arteta, is interested in
Marseille's Hatem Ben Arfa and Cardiff's out of contract midfielder Joe
Ledley - but he faces competition from Stoke, Wigan and Newcastle in
23-year-old Wales international.
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