Daily WHUFC News - 16th June 2016

Joint-Chairman - It will be a special occasion
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold is thrilled that Bournemouth will become the first Premier League team to visit our new home on Queen Elizabeth Park. The south coast club defied all the odds to stay in the top flight last season and Mr Gold has nothing but praise for the way they stuck to their principles and still managed to remain in the top flight. Eddie Howe's side will make the journey to the new Stadium on Saturday 20 August to become part of history at West Ham United and Mr Gold believes it will be a special day for everyone connected with the Club. Mr Gold said: "It is two fairytales coming together. What Bournemouth achieved to survive in the Premier League in their first year was remarkable. "I have the utmost respect for what they have achieved and similar to ourselves, they have shown that anything is possible "Our move into the new Stadium has been six years in the making and we are finally achieving our dream this summer. "The first Europa League game at our new home will be special, the inaugural first game against Juventus when we hold our opening ceremony will be a day to remember and of course our first ever Premier League game will be a momentous occasion."

Before the first home game takes place, Slaven Bilic's side face a tough opening start to the season when they travel to former Premier League champions Chelsea on 13 August. Things will not get much easier in the second away game of the season when the Hammers face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on 27 August. But following the superb start to the campaign when West Ham defied all the odds to record away wins over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the first three away games last season, Mr Gold sees no reason why they cannot do the same thing again.

Mr Gold added: "I remember going to Arsenal on the opening day last season thinking a point would be a huge success. "No-one expected us to get anything but we showed our quality straight away and came away with a famous victory. "It was a special day beating Arsenal and Reece Oxford had the game of his life. "We will not fear going to Chelsea and I know that Slaven and the players will believe we can get something from the game.
"It is ironic that we then travel to Manchester City once again in the early part of the season and few could forget our memorable victory at the Etihad Stadium. It would be nice if history could repeat itself. "The victory really set us on our way and we started to think we are a decent side. We were starting to see special qualities emerging and thought Payet was not a bad player!"

The Hammers will certainly be tested at the end of November and start of December when they face Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. But Mr Gold feels Bilic and his players will relish the chance to showcase their talents against the best teams in the top flight once again. He said: "We will prove our credentials when they play those run of games and our aim is to keep improving. "There may have been a time when we went into these big games believing we might only come away with a point. "But we genuinely believe we can win now against these world renowned teams. The optimism is that we are not a team of the past, but a team of the future."

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Bilic - 'Feghouli is a top player'
WHUFC.com

The West Ham United manager was asked about his second summer arrival during his latest spell as a pundit for ITV during UEFA Euro 2016, and reacted with enthusiasm to the free transfer capture from Spanish side Valencia CF. Bilic, who has also clinched the Bosman signing of Norway midfielder Havard Nordtveit, says the 26-year-old Feghouli will add yet more talent and depth to his squad. "I got a message from the Joint-Chairman that we had signed Feghouli," said the bespectacled Bilic, who was asked about the transfer while working on the Austria versus Hungary Group F fixture. "He's an Algerian winger from Valencia. "Feghouli is a top player, a top winger. We got him for free on a Bosman so, we're active. We are preparing. He's a great signing for us."

The Hammers are active in the transfer market and are expected to make further signings, both in defence and attack, before the window closes on 31 August. The Hammers have also clinched the signature of teenage Portuguese forward Domingos Quina, fresh from UEFA European U17 Championship success, and secured a host of Academy youngsters on their first professional contracts.

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Sinclair - Payet deserves all the praise
WHUFC.com

Former Hammers winger Trevor Sinclair believes Dimitri Payet could follow in the footsteps of Paolo Di Canio if he continues to show his best form for both club and country. Payet became a cult hero with the West Ham fans last season with his impressive displays and stunning free-kicks.
The 29-year-old stole the headlines at the end of season Player Awards when he came away with five trophies including the prestigious Hammer of the Year. Payet has carried his West Ham form into the Euro Finals this summer and dominated all the headlines in the opening game of the tournament when he scored a wonder goal to help France record a dramatic late victory. Sinclair knows all about Hammers legends having played alongside Di Canio and feels Payet can earn the same reputation at West Ham United. Sinclair said: "He is a very good player and deserves all the recognition. "I was a bit concerned when he got injured last season and the lads could really miss him, but they stuck together while he was away. "When he came back he got rewarded with his new contract which was the right thing. "I thought have they given him a new deal too soon, but he went on to another level. "I am really pleased with how he has handled himself and he has applied himself superbly well on the pitch. "I hope he can back it up next year because the second season is always more difficult. "If he can back it up it is time to start talking about him in the same breath as Paolo Di Canio and players of that ilk."

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Hawes & Curtis to become official Club tailor
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that Hawes & Curtis is to become the Club's official tailor. The quintessentially British brand will dress key Club representatives, including the first-team squad, management and coaching staff, in its renowned suits, shirts, accessories and shoes. The partnership, the first of its kind for Hawes & Curtis, will be officially unveiled for the Hammers' European bow in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday 28 July. The new sponsorship deal has occurred at an extremely exciting time for both organisations, with West Ham's forthcoming move to the iconic London Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hawes & Curtis' international expansion. The formalwear collection based on the one worn by the players will be available in the Club's new Stadium Store on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and online at www.officialwesthamstore.com, as well as via the Hawes & Curtis Stratford store.

The collaboration is a natural fit for the two London organisations. Like West Ham United, Hawes & Curtis boasts more than 100 years of heritage and a promising international future. From a single store in the Piccadilly Arcade in 1913, Hawes & Curtis has grown into a globally renowned brand.

West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "As West Ham United make the move to an iconic London landmark, it seems apt that we should be joining forces with Hawes & Curtis, another historic London institution. "The bespoke West Ham United formalwear is clearly of the highest quality and the team are absolutely going to look the part come the new season at our magnificent new home." Touker Suleyman, Hawes & Curtis CEO, added: "This is a fantastic time to be partnering with West Ham United. We are delighted to be the official tailor to such an inspirational team that is truly progressing. We know the team and the fans will love the new outfits."

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Noble relishing opening games
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble cannot wait to return for pre-season training after West Ham United were handed a trip to Chelsea to open the 2016/17 Premier League season. The captain has enjoyed a well-earned summer break, but will be back in his native east London on Thursday 23 June for the grand opening of the new Stadium Store on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Nine days later, Noble and his teammates – save for those on UEFA Euro 2016 duty – will be back on the training pitch to begin preparations for what will be a hugely exciting campaign. The Hammers kick-off at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 13 August before welcoming AFC Bournemouth to the London Stadium the following weekend. A full fixture list can be found here.

With the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round and Betway Cup visit of Italian champions Juventus to further whet the appetite, Noble told whufc.com he is buzzing to pull on a Claret and Blue shirt again soon. "What a first game to open the season!" said the No16. "Chelsea away is a great one for the fans and for us players alike and everyone's excited about that game and then our big first Premier League game at our new Stadium against Bournemouth. "I've spoken to a few of the lads over the summer, including Dimitri, Darren and Angelo who are away at the Euros and obviously we're supporting them all and looking forward to all meeting up again for pre-season training."

Noble has been a keen viewer of UEFA Euro 2016 and was understandably impressed by how Dimitri Payet kicked-off the tournament with a match-winning display for France. Payet scored one goal and made the other as the host nation beat Romania 2-1, while fellow Hammers James Collins and Angelo Ogbonna also enjoyed opening victories for Wales and Italy respectively. "Dimi's performance against Romania last Friday night was immense and I got a bit carried away on Twitter, tweeting that I love him, but then how can I not!" said Noble. "Ginge and his Wales mates did great too, beating Slovakia in their opening match, and now the stage is set for a big game with England on Thursday, which we'll all be watching closely I'm sure."

When Noble returns to the training ground on 1 July, he will be joined by new boy Sofiane Feghouli, who will be joining the Hammers on a free transfer from Spanish club Valencia. The highly-rated winger arrives after six productive seasons in La Liga and Noble is among his admirers.
"I would like to welcome Sofiane Feghouli to West Ham and I'm looking forward to meeting up with him in pre-season and introducing him to the lads."

West Ham kick-off pre-season with a two-match US Tour, where they will take on Seattle Sounders and Carolina RailHawks. For more information about the tour, click here now.

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Collins - It is a massive game
WHUFC.com

Wales defender James Collins is relishing the chance to take on England in a crucial game for both teams on Thursday and says it will be one of the biggest days of his career. After beating Slovakia in their opening match, Wales are full of confidence heading into the second Group B tie in Lens. Having played in a number of big derbies during his career and starting for Wales against England in a Euro Qualifier back in 2012, Collins knows what is at stake for both sets of fans and says the Wales players are full of confidence going into the game. The 'Ginger Pele' says he would also love to earn the bragging rights over his English team-mates back at the Hammers who gave him some stick in the lead up to the game. Collins said: "I have had a bit of ribbing from the English lads in the build-up to the game, but it has been more about people wanting tickets for the game! "It is a massive game and it would be huge just for us to play them in a friendly, but for it to be in a major tournament makes it even bigger. Everyone is looking forward to it. "I was speaking to the gaffer about the tournament at the end of last season and for all of us Welsh lads, this is a new experience, but we are full of excitement. "Hopefully we can qualify out of the group which is what we are looking to do and have got every chance. "I will keep training hard for Wales and hopefully my form at West Ham will help me get a starting spot."

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Umbro respond to petition success
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

Kit manufacturer Umbro have finally agreed to release a large version of their advertisement that first appeared in the final Boleyn Ground match day programme. Following a concerted campaign by Hammers fan Mark Walker, Umbro have confirmed that they will release a scrollable version of the ad that is said to contain the name of every season ticket holder from the 2015/16 season. In order to persuade Umbro to release the large-scale image, Walker was charged with collecting 1,000 signatures - a feat he achieved within a matter of weeks following a sustained effort. And earlier today, the company confirmed via Twitter that they will adhere to Walker's request - as you can see from the Tweet below.

Mark Walker @MarkTW2
10 days later and well over 1,000 fans signatures and no word from @UmbroUK please RT and share. #COYI #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/sCBbbfsh51
Umbro UK ✔ @UmbroUK

@MarkTW2 We're working on finding the best way to upload the file, will be available soon
1:33 PM - 15 Jun 2016

Walker's campaign - which as of time of writing had collected 1,076 signatures in all - was supported by Hammers from around the globe, including Ilford South MP (and season ticket holder) Mike Gapes.

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Irons away on opening day
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th June 2016
By: Staff Writer No.3

United face a short trip to Chelsea on the opening day of the 2016/17 season. The fixture is due to be played on Saturday, 13 August subject to the demands of the TV companies. AFC Bournemouth will be the first league visitors to the Olympic Stadium the following weekend. The full fixture list is as follows...

2016

13 Aug: Chelsea (A)
20 Aug: AFC Bournemouth (H)
27 Aug: Manchester City (A)

10 Sep: Watford (H)
17 Sep: West Bromwich Albion (A)
24 Sep: Southampton (H)

1 Oct: Middlesbrough (H)
15 Oct: Crystal Palace (A)
22 Oct: Sunderland (H)
29 Oct: Everton (A)

5 Nov: Stoke City (H)
19 Nov: Tottenham Hotspur (A)
26 Nov: Manchester United (A)

3 Dec: Arsenal (H)
10 Dec: Liverpool (A)
13 Dec: 7.45pm Burnley (H)
17 Dec: Hull City (H)
26 Dec: Swansea City (A)
31 Dec: Leicester City (A)

2017

2 Jan: Manchester United (H)
14 Jan: Crystal Palace (H)
21 Jan: Middlesbrough (A)
31 Jan: Manchester City (H)

4 Feb: Southampton (A)
11 Feb: West Bromwich Albion (H)
25 Feb: Watford (A)

4 Mar: Chelsea (H)
11 Mar: AFC Bournemouth (A)
18 Mar: Leicester City (H)

1 Apr: Hull City (A)
4 Apr:vv Arsenal (A)
8 Apr: Swansea City (H)
15 Apr: Sunderland (A)
22 Apr: Everton (H)
29 Apr: Stoke City (A)

6 May: Tottenham Hotspur (H)
13 May: Liverpool (H)
21 May: Burnley (A)

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2015/16 in review: January & February
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th June 2016
By: Graeme Howlett

Join us as we take a look back at the 2015/16 season through the eyes of KUMB Editor Graeme Howlett, who penned a weekly column for the Echo newspaper throughout the campaign.

Today we look back at January and February in part six of our review...

17 January

West Ham came crashing back down to earth at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon with a disappointing defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Newcastle United, as Steve McLaren finally got the better of his opposite number.

Not for the first time this season, Slaven Bilic's side - who have generally excelled against teams in the top half of the Premier League - found themselves reflecting on a defeat against a team who, on current form, should perhaps not have enjoyed the dominance they did.

In truth, the game was all but lost inside the opening 15 minutes after a disastrous start left the Hammers facing a veritable mountain to climb.

Goals from Ayoze Perez (six minutes) and Georginio Wijnaldum (15) gave the home side and their manager - dubbed 'the wally with the brolly' following England's defeat by Bilic's Croatia in the 2008 European Championship qualifiers - a dream opening that simply left the visitors with too much to do.

For West Ham, who remain fifth in the table despite the reversal, it continued a worrying trend of poor starts that has potentially cost the team several points this season. The team endured a similarly dismal beginning at Sunderland back in October but managed to claw their way back into that and rescue a point - as was the case at home to Norwich the week before.

More recently, conceding the opening goal against both Southampton and Bournemouth was glossed over by brilliant second half performances - whilst draws at relegation candidates Swansea and Aston Villa over Christmas were slightly fortuitous, given the hosts' general superiority on those particular occasions.

All of which points to a predilection for complacency on West Ham's part, which Bilic will no doubt be keen to eradicate. But as any long-suffering supporter will tell you, this is all part of 'the West Ham way' - as any brief glance at the club's catalogue of embarrassing Cup defeats against lower league opposition will attest!

Earlier in the week West Ham started just as poorly against Bournemouth, going a goal behind early on, but were saved by brilliant individual efforts from Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia who scored a brace for the first time since moving to England in the summer of 2014.

It was the kind of performance that even had some pundits suggesting that the Hammers might be an outside bet for a Champions' League spot. Whilst that sort of talk may be premature the signs remain positive, despite the odd poor performance and concern regarding motivation.

24 January

That he and thousands of Irons supporters were left hugely frustrated by West Ham's 2-2 draw with title-chasing Manchester City at the Boleyn on Saturday afternoon was a mark of the steady progression the club has made under Slaven Bilic since he succeeded Sam Allardyce last summer.

Despite having taken the lead twice, and initially within the opening 60 seconds, West Ham were pegged back on both occasions and ultimately forced to settle for a point against the Premier League title favourites. And although most Hammers fans will be happy at having taken four points from City this season, it could quite easily have been six out of six.

Illustrating that the 2-1 win at the City of Manchester Stadium last September was no fluke, Bilic's side were more than a match for one of the world's most expensively-assembled football teams as the Boleyn Ground, whose time is nigh, was treated to at least one more fantastic game of football.

Enner Valencia, criticised in months gone by but answering his critics - myself included - in the perfect way was West Ham's hero, scoring either side of the interval. Unfortunately the in-form and ever-dangerous Sergio Aguero matched the Ecuador international every step of the way, grabbing a brace for the visitors, hitting the post and virtually saving them a point single-handedly.

But it wasn't just Valencia's goals that gave Hammers fans cause for further hope and optimism. Dimitri Payet - probably playing at his creative zenith at the age of 28 - dished up a stunning performance for his adoring public, who lapped up his repertoire of tricks with which he bamboozled City's superstars.

Meanwhile Alex Song - the choice of many for Man of the Match - was back to his very best, whilst 22-year-old Sam Byram produced a thoroughly impressive debut for a youngster who was facing former Hammer Freddie Sears - rather than the likes of Aguero and David SIlva - in his last competitive outing (for Leeds at Ipswich in the Championship).

Whereas a win against the Citizens would have kept West Ham hot on the heels of fourth-placed Tottenham, a Champions League place is looking less likely now as a result of the two points dropped - although Europa League qualification is still an achievable target, with Manchester United floundering in fifth place (one place and one point above the Hammers).

However it's to the FA Cup that eyes turn next, as West Ham attempt to beat Liverpool for a third time this season when the two sides meet this coming Saturday. Even though West Ham's 3-0 win on Merseyside back in August was their first at Anfield since 1963, it'll take a brave man to bet against one of the most exciting United teams produced in the last 30 years.


7 February

Back in 1993 Bill Murray was the star of a film entitled Groundhog Day (based upon an annual American festival of the same name that takes place every February in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania) in which the protagonist, a weatherman tasked with covering the event found himself living the same day over and over again.

Over in London E6, Slaven Bilic could be forgiven for thinking he too has been cursed by a similar affliction in the same week as Murray's fictional Phil Connors after his West Ham team fell to defeat at Southampton, having conceding yet another early goal.

A thorn in the side of an otherwise excellent season, West Ham's propensity for meekly handing over the initiative has been a constant and frustrating feature of their campaign so far.

From a total of 28 league and cup fixtures the Hammers have conceded the opening goal, within the opening third of the game, on TEN occasions. Of those ten games, only two have ended in victory - whilst six have resulted in defeat, including Saturday's clash at St Mary's.

Despite suffering another early blow, West Ham went on to dominate Saturday afternoon's late kick-off - especially once Victor Wanyama had been dismissed for a wild lunge at Dimitri Payet, who has already missed a large chunk of the season having been the victim of a similar challenge from Everton's James McCarthy.

Although Bilic's side managed to triumph under similar circumstances against Aston VIlla earlier in the week, Southampton proved to be a rather more difficult proposition and despite enjoying around 80 per cent of possession for much of the second half, West Ham failed to seriously test Saints 'keeper Fraser Forster.

And whilst Mark Clattenburg's decision not to award a first half spot kick to West Ham when Enner Valencia was clearly tripped by Southampton goalscorer Maya Yoshida was the subject of much consternation on the KUMB.com Forums both during and after the game, the Hammers just didn't quite do enough to deserve something from it.

The five-point cushion West Ham had previously enjoyed over Southampton following the Villa win has consequently been reduced to just two, although Bilic's side remain sixth in the Premier League.

Meanwhile the games continue to come thick and fast as we look forward to welcoming Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round replay on Tuesday night - possibly the last ever big FA Cup night under the lights at the Boleyn Ground - with a trip to relegation-threatened Norwich CIty this coming weekend to follow.


14 February

It's often said that in order to enjoy a productive season, a team should aspire to win its home games and try not to lose too many away. In that sense, it's been a pretty perfect week for West Ham United.

Slaven Bilic's side began it in superb fashion last Tuesday evening in front of a full house at the Boleyn, enticed to this FA Cup fourth round replay by cheaper tickets. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool team were put to the sword for the third time this season - although it took extra time plus a very late and wildly-celebrated Angelo Ogbonna goal to separate the two on this occasion.

That left West Ham with a record against the Reds this season of played four, won three and drawn one - with a goal tally of 7-1. That's unprecedented in modern history and indicative of the positive progress West Ham are making this season, their last before moving to Stratford's Olympic Stadium.

The reward for that success was a fifth round trip to Blackburn, who are currently struggling in the Championship having recently sold their key player, striker Jordan Rhodes to rivals Middlesbrough. Which, as all long-suffering Hammers fans know only too well, probably points to a Rovers win next weekend!

Prior to that it was back to the Premier League with the Hammers facing a trip to Norwich on Saturday, a team against whom the Irons had managed to snatch a point against at the Boleyn earlier in the season having come from behind twice to grab a 2-2 draw.

And it was a similar story in the return leg at Carrow Road, where an out-of-form Canaries team that had suffered five defeats in its last six games swept into a 2-0 lead having scored twice within nine minute at the beginning of the second half. At least the Hammers kept a clean sheet in the opening 45 minutes this week!

In years gone by that may have been the catalyst for a claret and blue capitulation. However Bilic's side are made of stronger stuff and can always count on the brilliant Dimitri Payet, who signed a new, improved contract this week in order to stave off interest from elsewhere in England and abroad.

With little more than quarter-of-an-hour remaining, Payet was well-placed to convert a Vic Moses shot that had been spilled by John Ruddy to halve the deficit - and within two minutes of that, Mark Noble fired home a superb equaliser after being teed-up by a sublime pass from Payet.

Bilic admitted in a post-match interview that he had hoped to win the game, but was happy with a point given the circumstances that led to it. Even though his team have won just four of their last 16 Premier League outings, it was enough to keep the Hammers seventh in the Premier League having finally reached the magic 40-point mark - and with 12 more league games still to play this season.

Next week Bilic will be accompanied on his travels by more than 7,500 travelling fans as the Hammers attempt to book a place in this year's FA Cup quarter finals at Ewood Park. Should his team manage to win that, a home tie at the Boleyn Ground in the last eight might just be the perfect send-off to the club's spiritual home.

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West Ham spurn Sakho approach
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are understood to have rejected a swap deal from West Bromwhich Albion involving strikers Diafra Sakho and Saido Berahino. The Hammers, who are currently trying to offload the troubled Senegal international have been approached by Albion but failed to reach an agreement, according to a KUMB source. A potential deal is said to have fallen through after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement with regards to the players' values. Berahino, who was the subject of a £23million offer from Tottenham last year is out of contract at the end of the 2016/17 season. As a result, West Ham were unwilling to pay anywhere close to his full market value. Meanwhile Albion were unwilling to meet West Ham's £15million valuation of Sakho, who is contracted to West Ham until the summer of 2018 but likely to leave the club this summer.

Whilst the Hammers remain interested in signing Berahino - albeit as a reserve option should they fail to push through any of their main targets (Lacazette etc) - Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Watford have also contacted Albion with view to signing the former England Under 21 international. Sakho, who moved to West Ham two years ago in a £4million switch from Metz was the subject of a recent bid from Sunderland, who are understood to have offered just £8million up front.

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West Ham offered Valencia swap deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

Manchester City are understood to have approached West Ham with view to signing Enner Valencia in a swap deal. West Ham's Ecuador international, who scored just four goals last season has been the subject of an enquiry from the Citizens, according to KUMB sources. However the Citizens' approach - which involved a straight swap for former Swansea star Wilfried Bony - is said to have been rejected by West Ham, who are not currently interested in signing the 27-year-old. The Ivory Coast international was a key target for West Ham three years ago whilst still at Vitesse, when he was the subject of a £10million bid that was subsequently rejected. And last year, David Sullivan revealed that he had passed on the opportunity to sign Bony for £8million as a result of then-manager Sam Allardyce's decision to sign Andy Carroll from Liverpool instead.
Following a lean spell at the City of Manchester stadium, which has netted him just 10 goals in all competitions since joining Man City in January 2015, Bony is apparently available once again. But his chances of resurrecting a move to West Ham look to be over, with the club concentrating on other targets such as Alexandre Lacazette and Michy Batshuayi. Valencia, who has scored twice so far in the Copa America which is currently taking place in the United States made just 10 Premier League starts for Slaven Bilic's side last season.

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Bilic lauds 'top' signing
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 15th June 2016
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic has hailed new signing Sofiane Feghouli as a "top player". The 26-year-old Algerian international completed his free transfer from Valencia yesterday. Ad Bilic, speaking during the Hungary vs Austria Euro 16 clash could barely hide his delight at landing one of the club's top summer targets. "I got a message from the chairman that we had signed Feghouli," he told ITV anchor Mark Pougatch. "Feghouli is a top player, a top winger. We got him for free on a Bosman so, we're active. We are preparing. He's a great signing for us."

Elsewhere at Euro 16, West Ham and France star Dimitri Payet has claimed that his game had reached "a new level" since he arrived in England last summer. "Patrice Evra told me that playing in England would take my game to a new level and he was right," said Payet. "It is the most ­competitive league in the world — every game you have to fight for. There is no doubt I have become a better player there." Payet's France face Albania later today knowing that a win would secure them a place in the knock-out phase with a game to spare.

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HAMMERS MAKE OFFER TO SANDRO RAMIREZ?
BY BRIAN KNOX ON 15 JUNE 2016 AT 5:44PM
The WestHamWay.co.uk

West Ham have reportedly made an offer to Sandro Ramirez according to Spanish source La Opinion de Malaga. The Spanish source claims that Sandro is available on a free transfer following his release from Barcelona but the Hammers will face competition with Besiktas, Galatasaray and Malaga for his signature but are believed to be the frontrunners because of their financial muscle. The Hammers had reportedly enquired into the availability of the striker in May. Sandro was under contract for another season with the Catalan giants and had an option to extend that by an extra year, but Barcelona declined the option and are willing to release him.
Soon to turn 21, Sandro's promising Barcelona career hasn't worked out as well as he had hoped, scoring just three goals last season all in the Copa Del Rey and with places in the match-day squad highly contested, he will leave the Spanish giants. Sandro has been capped at Junior level with Spain from U17-U21 and has scored 12 goals for his country. If he joins the Hammers this Summer he'll be the second young Spanish striker to join the ranks after the Hammers signed Anthony Martinez from Valencia

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Payet tops UEFA player barometer & dream team
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 15, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham's Dimitri Payet tops the official UEFA player Barometer for Euro 2016 and makes the dream team. The SOCAR Player Barometer has been updated live with every performance of the opening set of matches, and we have selected a first dream XI based on its findings.

The XI was picked from the top players in each position, though in midfield the second-best defensive midfielder Eric Dier (9th overall) was chosen ahead of the top winger Antonio Candreva (17th). Sergio Ramos (8th) and Luka Modrić (10th) are the only top ten players to miss out, thus allowing the selection of a goalkeeper and two full-backs.

Team1

Current top players in each position
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (GER) 12th
Full-back: Juanfran (ESP) 18th
Centre-back: Shkodran Mustafi (GER) 3rd
Defensive midfielder: N'Golo Kanté (FRA) 7th
Central midfielder: Toni Kroos (GER) 2nd
Attacking midfielder: Dmitri Payet (FRA) 1st
Winger: Antonio Candreva (ITA) 17th
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) 4th

All eyes will be on Payet again tonight as France face Albania at 8pm. Unsurprisingly, Payet is in the starting line-up for France.

Payet Fact: Dimitri created eight chances against the Romanians – only three players had created more in a Euros game since 1980 (Ozil, 9 v Greece in 2012, McAllister, 10 v Germany in 1992 and Sneijder, 10 v Denmark in 2012).

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Rob Lee: "Elliot was never really given a chance"
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 15, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Former Newcastle and West Ham player, Rob Lee has explained how his son Elliot would be a good signing for Newcastle when writing his column for The Newcastle Chronicle, and how if they came in for him he would advise his son to make the move. Elliot Lee was released by the Hammers this summer and his father claims the Hammers did not give his son the chance he deserved.

"At West Ham, I thought he deserved a chance over the likes of Emmanuel Emenike and Nikica Jelavic, both of whom just sat on the bench, Elliot was never really given a chance even though he scored in the Europa League. You never know how good someone is going to be until you give them a Premier League chance; just look at Harry Kane."

"There's so many rumours of clubs out there, but if Newcastle did come in for him then I would certainly recommend to him that he goes there," Lee added. "With Rafa Benitez, they have a great manager again and the club will hopefully get back to what it was before."

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Valencia & Sakho linked in bizarre swap deals
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 15, 2016 in News, Whispers
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West Ham strikers Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho have been linked in bizarre swap deals according to ITK Thorshammer on Irons Internet forum KUMB.com

Thor claims West Ham looked at a straight swap between West Brom's Berahino and Diafra Sakho but nothing happened because Albion are said to value Berahino at £20m while West Ham value Sakho at £15m.

He goes on to claim Manchester City approached West Ham about swapping Wilfred Bony for Enner Valencia but says the Hammers knocked back the offer.

City purchased Bony for £25m plus up to £3m of add ons as revealed by the football leaks website after the contract was leaked online back in March. City paid £9m up front, plus £5m in VAT due on the total transfer. They paid Swansea a further £8m in January 2016 and are due to Swansea a further £8m in January 2017. Bony is thought to command a £100,000 per week salary at City.

In the early hours of this morning Thorshammer posted the following on KUMB.com

"Berahino has offers from Palace ,Watford and Stoke. West ham looked at a swap but nothing happened due to a difference in valuation between clubs regarding him/Sakho. City asked about swapping Valencia for Bony but were knocked back seems like Pep prefers pace over power"

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Valencia has eyes on spanish league
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 15, 2016 in News, Whispers
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Enner Valencia is keen to swap Premier League for La Liga according to Spanish media reports. Valencia moved to the Premier League in 2014 and has scored ten goals in 56 appearances for the Hammers. He scored two goals and two assists in Ecuador's Copa America tournament in recent weeks.

"I would love to play in the Spanish league, one of the best in the world. In Spain most teams play very well, seeking to have much possession and then look for the opposite goal. It is a very showy league," Valencia allegedly told Spanish sports journal, Marca after scoring for Ecuador in a 2-2 draw with Peru in the Copa America.

The Daily Mail makes new claims that Valencia is attracting interest from the Bundesliga but doesn't go into any further details to validate the random claim. Yesterday the Ecuadorian striker was linked to a possible move to West Ham Browich Albion alongside Diafra Sakho.

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Tore breaks silence on West Ham desire
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 15, 2016 in News, Whispers
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Turkish website www.yazbir.com has published a direct quote from Gokan Tore suggesting his time at Besiktas is coming to and end and he wants to play for West Ham. Tore is said to have said: "I have a contract until 2019 with Beşiktaş but I have completed my mission here. If they get my transfer fee, I want to play at West Ham"
West Ham have yet to agree a fee with Besiktas for Tore, according to reports in Turkey. According to Takvim, West Ham have failed to match Besiktas' valuations for Atiba Hutchinson and Gokan Tore. The Istanbul outfit are demanding a fee of around £16million for both players and have told West Ham they will not be available to discuss a deal until such a formal bid is made. "Yes I want Gokhan Tore and Atiba Hutchinson, they are targets," Slaven Bilic told Turkish television earlier this week. Bilic added "We also have others but they are major targets. Will it happen? Nobody can say yet but we want him. I want one transfer for both. More than one thing has to happen for this deal. When a club wants a player it depends on how much [Besiktas] want to sell a player and how much they are asking.There is a lot written in the Turkish press that is untrue. But I know them [Tore and Hutchinson], I spent two years with them."

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