Daily WHUFC News - 6th July 2016

Cresswell nails new deal
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell has signed a one-year extension to his long-term contract with West Ham United. The 2015 Hammer of the Year kicked-off the new season by putting pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at the Club until 2021. The outstanding left-back has enjoyed two fantastically consistent campaigns in Claret and Blue and is now set to continue to impress at the London Stadium for the next five years. "It's great news for me," Cresswell told West Ham TV from the Club's pre-season training base in Seattle. "I've been here for two years now and I'm looking forward to the next five seasons now that I've signed. "Last season, especially with it being the last season at the Boleyn Ground, was pretty special, with the Manchester United game one which will live with me forever. "This season, we're all looking forward to the new Stadium that's up and running now, the first game with Juventus which is obviously going to be a fantastic day, and the season ahead."

Cresswell and West Ham have two pre-season matches to contest in the United States before returning home and continuing the preparations for the big UEFA Europa League, Premier League and Betway Cup kick-offs at the end of July and start of August. "We're here to work hard, and we haven't come to America for a holiday. We've had our holidays over the last few weeks and now is the time to prepare for the new season. "We've got Chelsea away first game and then the first Premier League game at the new Stadium against Bournemouth, which we're all looking forward to. I can't wait."

While 2015/16 was a success, Cresswell and the Hammers are determined to improve on their showings in both domestic and European competition. Prior to that, they will continue to train at the superb facilities provided by the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and take on the city's MLS franchise, the Sounders, at CenturyLink Field on Tuesday evening. "Last year in Europe it was hard with coming back very early and travelling, as we didn't have much time to prepare and it was a new experience going to places like Andorra and Malta away.
"We're more prepared this year for the European games and can't wait for them. We're definitely well-equipped. We've got some young players over here with us and there will be new players coming in and maybe some leaving. It's exciting times. "The facilities here are special and none of the lads have seen anything like them before. It's great to see how the NFL players train and it's fantastic to experience and use them for ourselves. "I've never been away on tour to America before, so I've been looking at the Sounders' stadium on the internet and it looks special – not as good as our new one, though!"

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Exclusive - Super Slaven speaks
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic won Euro 2016 with his punditry and now has his sights set on a victorious second season in charge of West Ham United. The manager, who stole the show during ITV's coverage of the summer showpiece with his lucid observations in France, is now preparing the Hammers for the 2016/17 campaign in the United States. Bilic is putting his squad through their paces in Seattle ahead of Tuesday's opening pre-season match with the hometown Sounders, before heading south east for a second fixture with Carolina RailHawks on 12 July. West Ham TV sat down with the boss to discuss his busy summer, the Club's new signings, future transfer targets, pre-season and the Hammers' prospects for the upcoming campaign.

Slaven, let's start with the summer – you seemed to get a lot of enjoyment from the role?

"I hadn't done it before on British TV, so it was good. My family was there with me in Paris, so it was a privilege to spend 12 days there with them, and to watch games with football people with big knowledge. It was fun for me. "I would have watched the games anyway, but it was a good environment, so as you say I thoroughly enjoyed it."

Aside from your punditry and table-top celebration of Dimitri Payet's goal against Albania, did it also serve as a good scouting exercise?

"Yes, it was useful because you are watching some of the players on your list and it helps, of course. It is very rare that clubs are just buying players based on the Euros – they count, but on the other hand the players have a different state of mind because they are so motivated by playing for their countries on the biggest stage. "It can add ten per cent to your opinion of a player, but you don't buy them just because of what they did at the Euros."

Talking of scouting, we have signed two new players in Sofiane Feghouli and Havard Nordtveit…

"They are top international players. OK, they didn't play first-team football in England but those people who know football know we have got a couple of very good players who have played for top teams in top leagues in Moenchengladbach and Valencia. To get them on free transfers is great business for the club and we're so happy to have them. "Nordtveit's natural position is holding midfielder whether alone or in a pair, but he can play centre-back in a three or two, and can also step in as a right or even left full-back."

There are seven or eight weeks to go until the transfer window closes, so can you summarise the business you hope to do?

"We are hoping but we are not desperate. With strikers, we have said from the last season finished that it's not a secret that we want a top one, but we are not so desperate or panic or rush because we have really good strikers. If we could get one top striker, he would add to those we have already."

We are in Seattle, Washington, this week and the Seahawks' training facilities must be among the best you have ever used?

"Yes, they are amazing. We have everything. The people are nice and the facilities are great – the dressing room, the gym, the hotel are all top-drawer and it was good to come here. It's a good place to be for the first part of the pre-season. It's a nice city."

We have a game with Seattle Sounders on Tuesday evening…

"It's not ideal [to play a fixture so early in pre-season], but we have trained for a few days and on Monday on a bigger pitch so the players can play on Tuesday. "We have 19 outfield players, so most will play 45 minutes. It's a game, but we're going to treat it [more] like a training game, because the most important thing is that nobody gets injured.
"Normally you like to train for at least a week or ten days before the first game, so it's not ideal like this, but hopefully it's going to be all right."

Looking further ahead, with a move to the London Stadium, the visit of Juventus, Europa League football and the Premier League coming up, what are your feelings about the new season?

"It's exciting. First we have qualification games for Europa League and the start of the Premier League, which is very similar to last season's – very tough. "We know we are without nine or ten players here because some are at the Euros, some were at the Copa America and some played in Africa for their countries and are still on holiday. "We have a lot of young players with us, which is good for them, and good for us because they bring energy into the training and some of them are really promising and definitely have futures with West Ham. This is great motivation for them. "We have a good bunch of players now and, with the players who will join us during pre-season and the new players we are going to try to get, I'm very optimistic."

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Therapist to cycle for two Hammers charities
WHUFC.com

Academy therapist Steve Quinton will take part in a 100-mile bike ride later this month
Steve will raise money for two Hammers-related charities
The 50-year-old is fundraising for the Dylan Tombides Foundation and the Bobby Moore Fund

West Ham United Academy sports therapist Steve Quinton will take part in the 2016 Prudential RideLondon Surrey 100 at the end of the month, raising money for two charities associated with the Hammers. The 50-year-old, who is also a supporter of the Club, is looking to reach a total of £2,000 to donate to both the Dylan Tombides Foundation and the Bobby Moore Fund at Cancer Research UK. Steve is training for the Sunday 31 July ride alongside his role at the Academy – which involves work with all age-groups as well as stepping in when cover is needed – that he has been in for the last eight years.

Excited for the event, Steve said: "I can't wait to complete the ride for two amazing charities that mean so much to me personally. I've done an event like this before – the Ride Around London which was 115 miles – but this one is going to be great. "I'm hard at training right now and every chance I get when at the Club I sneak in a bit of spinning in the gym if the opportunity arises. I also join in with the players' rehab a nd with their warm-ups. "To be raising money for these charities is brilliant. I didn't feel that it was the right time until now, when everything has come together with the Club moving to the new Stadium and the ride starting on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It just seemed perfect."

Steve, who has now worked in professional football for the last 24 years, usually works pitchside with the younger Hammers players, but last season provided cover for the U18s away at Chelsea and a number of the U16s' games. He expressed his pride at being able to help two fantastic causes while completing the 100-mile ride.

"The Dylan Tombides Foundation is an amazing charity in the name of an amazing young man who unfortunately passed away in April 2014," Steve continued. "I worked with Dylan, who was a young Hammer, every Saturday in my first season at the Club, and there wasn't a Saturday that went by without him making me laugh!

"He had an infectious character and you couldn't help but like him as both a young man and as a footballer. On the pitch, everyone could see he had talent and he was prepared to work hard to achieve things.

"Then, there is the Bobby Moore Fund. I hadn't realised that although Bobby sadly passed away from cancer, he had earlier in life been treated and cured of testicular cancer and it tied the whole cause together. It's an honour to raise money for the charities."

Steve has been a lifelong West Ham supporter and recalled the day he first walked into the Club's training ground.

"It was 22 years ago that I first entered Chadwell Heath while working for Leyton Orient at the time. I remember talking to Tony Carr and Jimmy Frith, and saying to Jimmy how much I'd love to work here.

"His reply was "you never know!" and 16 years later, I was here! I love the Club, the staff, the fans and all the young Academy players keep me going.

"West Ham are moving forward now, and look like they could challenge for the top four again next season. Slaven Bilic has got them playing some great football and I'm looking forward to seeing some games in the fantastic new Stadium."

To help Steve reach his fundraising target, donate on his Virgin Money Giving page : http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Quinto


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Tomkins joins Crystal Palace
WHUFC.com

West Ham United can confirm that James Tomkins has joined Crystal Palace for £10million. Having joined the West Ham United Academy aged just seven, Tomkins progressed through the youth ranks before signing as a scholar in 2005. A week before his 19th birthday, Tomkins made his Premier League debut in a 1-1 draw away at Everton. Following an extended run in the side toward the back end of the 2007/08 season, Tomkins won the prestigious Young Hammer of the Year award. The following year, Tomkins enjoyed a brief yet successful loan stint at Derby County, before returning to east London to play a pivotal part in the second half of the 2008/09 campaign. Having established himself as a regular first team player, Tomkins played a crucial role in the 2011/12 Play-Off winning campaign. In recognition of his outstanding performances, Tomkins was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year and was voted runner-up Hammer of the Year behind teammate and close friend Mark Noble. Back in the Premier League, Tomkins was an ever-present in re-establishing the Hammers' top-flight credentials. In total, across nine seasons in the first team, Tomkins made a total of 243 appearances, scoring 11 goals. ​West Ham United would like to thank James for his hard work and commitment during his time at the Club and wish him all the best in his future career.

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From the Boardroom - David Sullivan
WHUFC.com

I am delighted that we have managed to agree new contracts with Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell. Both of them are top players and very important to the Club. They have both signed long-term deals and could stay even longer as we have an option after that so that is very good news. Michail had to be patient when he first arrived but we all saw his quality when he broke into the team and he scored some crucial goals against Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United. He also showed his versatility when he played at right back and will only grow stronger as he prepares for his second season in the Premier League. Aaron has also been fantastic for the Club following his arrival from Ipswich back in July 2014. He has gone on to become one of the best left backs in the Premier League and we hope he will continue to show his best form as we make the move into the new Stadium.
This has been another busy week and James Tomkins has made the move to Crystal Palace. We thank James for his contribution to the Club and we know he is a fantastic player. But it's a position we had four players in plus two other players who can play at centre back. We also have two fantastic young defenders who we want to give games to. James made it clear that if he wasn't guaranteed first-team football he would consider a move, so it made sense to sell him for a decent price.

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Ginge set to start in Euros semi-final
WHUFC.com

Hammers defender James Collins is set to start his first European Championship finals match on Wednesday when his Wales side take on Portugal in the UEFA Euro 2016 semi-finals. So far, the centre-back has only played four minutes of the Dragons' incredible campaign in France but with fellow defender Ben Davies suspended, the 32-year-old looks likely to be the man to fill his shoes in Wales' five-man defence. Tottenham Hotspur's Davies picked up his second yellow card of the tournament in the side's 3-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals, and it could give 'Ginge' the opportunity to play his part in the biggest match in the country's history.
Collins made an appearance from the substitutes' bench in the sublime win in Lille on Friday, replacing Aaron Ramsey – who is also suspended on Wednesday – in the 90th minute. He had previously acted as cover in Wales' first four matches, which included wins against Slovakia, Russia and Northern Ireland. Collins could, of course, come up against global superstar and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo should he be selected, but Wales manager Chris Coleman backed the defender to cope with the challenge. He said: "If it is the big man [Collins] on Wendesday, I won't have a worry. He is older than most of our boys, he has been there and seen it. He has that experience and is a bit different. "You need something in there that's a little bit different and he is that. The guys who haven't been playing have been different class and Ginge is probably the biggest voice amongst them all. "Professional players are different to my day but Ginge is the closest to my era that I have seen in the modern day player."

Goals from skipper Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes stunned Marc Wilmots' Belgians after they had themselves been mightily impressive in their 4-0 round-of-16 victory over Hungary. Despite their suspensions, Wales' will be confident heading into the Portugal clash given their previous scalps, and there is real belief that they could progress to face either hosts France or world champions Germany in the final on Sunday 10 July. Collins' team will first focus on the present though – the tie against Portugal on Wednesday 6 July which kicks-off at 8pm UK time in Lyon.

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Let pre-season commence...
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 5th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham kick off their pre-season programme in the early hours of tomorrow morning with Seattle Sounders providing the opposition.

Slaven Bilic's squad take part in their first of two US tour fixtures when they face the Sounders at the CenturyLink Field, in a match that most expect the visitors to win.

Kicking off at approximately 3.30am BST, the Hammers are set to give debuts to a number of new arrivals including Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit and Toni Martinez.

However the likes of James Collins, Darren Randolph and Enner Valencia will not feature having been excused duty due to their involvement in national tournaments this summer.

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Hammers fans will be able to follow the action live from Seattle via our Match thread, which may be found here.

And although it is yet to be confirmed, a live stream IS likely to be available; check KUMB's 2016/17 Streaming Thread for up-to-the-minute information regarding that.

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Did Dicks doubts lead to Tomkins exit?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 5th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham coaching assistant Julian Dicks first expressed his doubts regarding defender James Tomkins when speaking as a KUMB columnist three years ago. The Basildon-born central defender joined Crystal Palace in a £10million deal earlier today, after 20 years as a Hammer. And it was a move Dicks - who is currently employed as a coaching assistant by the Hammers - both foresaw and championed in a 2013 column he provided for KUMB.com.

.@TomkinsOfficial 🔴🔵 #WelcomeJames pic.twitter.com/7OsnDooPQR
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 5, 2016

Dicks, whose weekly column ran on KUMB.com from 2012 to 2013 when he was between coaching roles - suggested that West Ham should "take the money" when Tomkins was linked with a move to Newcastle, managed at the time by current Palace boss Alan Pardew. "If the right offer came in for James Tomkins, I'd let him go," said Dicks. "Technically he's not going to get any better, he's not going to able to pass the ball 30 or 40 yards all of a sudden. "For me as a manager, I like to play football, I like my back four to be comfortable on the ball and play out from the back - and I don't think Tomkins can do that."

Since Dicks arrived at the club as part of Slaven Bilic's new-look regime, the 27-year-old lost his place in the first team and was below Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna (and maybe even veteran James Collins) in the central defensive pecking order. And with youngsters Reece Burke and Reece Oxford likely to be vying for a first team spot over the course of the coming season, Tomkins felt his best chances of first team football lay elsewhere.

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Aaron Cresswell: West Ham left-back signs one-year contract extension to 2021
BBC.co.uk

Aaron Cresswell has signed a one-year contract extension with West Ham, taking his current deal to 2021. The 26-year-old defender joins team-mates Michail Antonio, Dimitri Payet, Adrian, and Cheikhou Kouyate in committing his future to the club. The former Ipswich Town full-back has made 89 appearances for the Hammers, scoring four goals. "I've been here for two years now and I'm looking forward to the next five seasons now that I've signed," he said.

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West Ham to annnounce new signing within 72 hours
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 5th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

That's according to Jack Sullivan, posting on twitter this afternoon...

The youngest of co-owner David Sullivan's two sons has claimed that the Hammers will make their next signing by the weekend. And that has naturally led to a flurry of speculation regarding the identity of Slaven Bilic's next signing. Gokhan Tore, whose protracted transfer to West Ham should finally be coming to an end soon has been suggested in some quarters. Meanwhile Manchester United youngster and England Under 20 international Ashley Fletcher is also thought to be close to a move to the Olympic Stadium. Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie - who was strongly linked with a swap deal involving James Tomkins - is currently considering several offers, including one from West Ham

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James Tomkins: Crystal Palace sign West Ham defender for £10m
BBC.co.uk

Crystal Palace have signed defender James Tomkins from Premier League rivals West Ham United for £10m. The 27-year-old, who has signed a five-year contract, is Palace's third summer signing, after midfielder Andros Townsend and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. Tomkins joined West Ham's academy aged seven and went on to make 243 first-team appearances, scoring 11 goals. Palace chairman Steve Parish said Tomkins was a player that manager Alan Pardew had "always wanted to sign". Tomkins said on the club's website: "I am really excited to be joining Crystal Palace, a massive club and a manager in Alan Pardew that I know well. "I will always be thankful for how he helped me develop in my younger days at Upton Park."

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Aaron Cresswell signs new West Ham contract
By Paul Vinnell
Last Updated: 05/07/16 1:49pm
SSN

West Ham full-back Aaron Cresswell has signed a one-year contract extension. Cresswell, 26, joined the Hammers from Ipswich two years ago and has firmly established himself in the side during that time. His extension will keep him at the club until 2021 and follows on from Michail Antonio signing a fresh deal on Monday as manager Slaven Bilic looks to tie down all of his key personnel to longer contracts. "It's great news for me," the former Tranmere man told West Ham TV. "I've been here for two years now and I'm looking forward to the next five seasons now that I've signed. "Last season, especially with it being the last season at the Boleyn Ground, was pretty special, with the Manchester United game one which will live with me forever. "This season, we're all looking forward to the new stadium that's up and running now, the first game with Juventus, which is obviously going to be a fantastic day, and the season ahead." Antonio's new contract means the winger, who signed from Nottingham Forest last summer, is committed to West Ham until 2020 with the club pushing to keep hold of their top talent while also bringing in fresh faces. Dimtri Payet, the club's current player of the year, signed a new deal in February to ward off interest from top European sides, with Bilic so far recruiting defensive midfielder Havard Nordtveit and winger Sofiane Feghouli ahead of the new season - West Ham's first at the Olympic Stadium.

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EXWHUEMPLOYEE TRANSFER ROUND UP
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 4 JULY 2016 AT 10:35PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

This will be a very brief round up because I have only just got in from work and need to go to bed for an early start tomorrow.

James Tomkins to seal his move. It is expected, as we have widely reported, that Tomkins will join Palace. The deal should rise to around the £12.5m mark which represents a good deal for all involved.

Burke to get his chance: Part of the thinking behind selling Tomkins is that Reece Burke will be given his chance to establish himself with the first team squad as an immediate replacement. Bilic has apparently vetoed any move to loan him out and he will figure in the European matches. His contract is due to expire this season and the club hope increased football will encourage him to sign a new deal. Both Reece's, Oxford and Burke, are seen as the future of the club with West Ham being desperate to tie both players down to longer deals.

Contract offers: The news has broke that Antonio is one of the players to get a new deal and I believe that the next player will be Ogbonna. He is expected to fly in from being knocked out in France to complete the deal in the next couple of days and see off reported interest from both Manchester clubs. Bilic really rates him and sees him as his first choice centre back.

Major signing to join in the next few days: I haven't be able to get complete confirmation on this but I would imagine that it is Tore. Tore is the player who Bilic really wants and the deal has been very close for a while. It would appear that the issues may have been ironed out now and that this should be finalised. Fletcher from Manchester United is also a deal expected to go through in the next few days. The term "major signing" would suggest this isn't the deal that the Insider is talking about but they have been known for their exaggerations in the past. Bolaise is someone that we have considered and was the "domestic player" that I hinted at in my fanzine piece over a month ago but I would be inclined to think if Tore signs Bolaise wouldn't. I will try to update this transfer tomorrow.

Forward Target: I have reported all these names before in my columns but Janssen has been a top target for a while. The chairman and Henry had been very keen on this target and it appears that Bilic is shifting this way too. At the moment Spurs are in the running but we hope to persuade him to consider us. Gomez is also well up there, as I said last week, but his wages have always been a problem and his recent injury is not ideal. We are still waiting word on Bacca too. The club are also interested in Giroud's situation with Arsenal but this is not clear at the moment and wont be until the player returns from the Euros. As Jack Sullivan said in his column yesterday for us the club are confident of landing two quality forwards and are not panicking.

I hope to have more concrete info on these potential deals tomorrow.

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Iron Maiden Want Slaven Bilić on Stage at Split Concert
http://www.croatiaweek.com/

One of the world's most famous heavy metal bands, Iron Maiden, will be back again to perform in Croatia later this month…

Iron Maiden will play Split's Spaladium Arena on 27 July 2016 as part of their 'The Book of Souls' World Tour. It will be the second time Iron Maiden have played in Split, the first being in 2008 at Poljud stadium, and this time they would like one of Split's favourite sons, West Ham coach Slaven Bilić, up on stage playing with them. Founder member and bassist Steve Harris, who grew up in England aspiring to be a professional footballer and even trained with West Ham, is a big Bilić fan, who also happens to be a musician and Iron Maiden fan himself. In 2008 Bilić was at the Split concert in the crowd.

"I have known Bilić for a number of years now, the first time I met him was when he played for West Ham. My son George was the mascot when we met at the game and we have stayed in contact. We saw each other over Christmas and chatted, I know he is one of our big fans," Harris told daily Slobodna Dalmacija, before being asked if they had t hought about inviting Bilić up on stage to play with them for a song. "Bilić is really a great guy and is doing a fantastic job at West Ham. With regards to being a guest at the concert, I am not sure if he will be in Split, but if he can make it we will see…he is a sought-after man and he has to do his job first," Harris said. Along with Iron Maiden, as possibly a guest performance from Bilić, The Raven Age will also entertain the Split crowd on the night. "The public can expect us to give 100% and as always we expect the same from them. We are sure that will be the case because we come with a completely new scenography and a lot of new songs. It will be a real spectacle," he added.

Considered one of the most successful heavy metal bands in history, Iron Maiden have sold over 85 million records worldwide with little radio or television support and have played over 2,000 live shows throughout their career which kicked off in the 1970's.

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Spurs enter race for Watford and West Ham target Roberto Pereyra
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Tottenham are the latest London club to show an interest in Watford and West Ham target Roberto Pereyra. The Juventus playmaker looks set to leave Turin this summer having struggled to establish himself as a major first-team player. Juve seem happy to cash in on the Argentine this summer given the level of interest in the midfielder, who started just nine Serie A games last term. Watford and West Ham have both been linked with a move for Pereyra, who is also wanted by Napoli, and now Spurs have joined the race. According to Tuttosport, manager Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of his compatriot and could attempt to bring him in as part of an ongoing squad rebuild. Pochettino has already landed Victor Wanyama and could be about to stump up the £15million required to land Pereyra to further bolster his midfield options.

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Crystal Palace add ex-West Ham and Colchester man to coaching setup
By Mark_Ritson | Posted: July 05, 2016
croydonadvertiser.co.uk

Crystal Palace have brought in former West Ham man Kevin Keen to their coaching setup. The 49-year-old recently left his position as Colchester United boss following their relegation from League One. Keen and Eagles manager Alan Pardew have been friends for years and share the same agent, Barry Nevill. Palace began pre-season training on Monday and it has been confirmed to the Advertiser that Keen is the man chatting to assistant manager Keith Millen in a short video produced by the club. John Salako was first team coach last season and was joined by former Leeds, Scunthorpe and Charlton man Andrew Hughes in February for the rest of the campaign, before he left to become Huddersfield Town's new first team coach. Palace have wanted to bring someone in to replace Hughes and it appears Keen is that man. As a player he featured for Wycombe Wanderers, spent ten years with West Ham until 1993, before moving to Wolves and then Stoke City, where he spent six years. He finished his career at Macclesfield Town in 2002.

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Ashley Fletcher could be unveiled by West Ham after Bristol City miss out on loan move for striker
By Danjnewman | Posted: July 05, 2016
www.bristolpost.co.uk

BRISTOL City have missed out on another summer signing with West Ham set to secure youngster Ashley Fletcher on a reported four-year deal. The striker was a free agent after departing Manchester United and host of clubs were vying for the 20-year-old former Barnsley player. The highly-rated forward was linked with a loan move to Ashton Gate back in June and he has now turned his back on Old Trafford in hope of securing regular football at the Olympic Stadium. Fletcher held talks with the Premier League side last week and was rumoured to have underwent a medical on Monday. He netted nine goals on loan at Oakwell last season, including one at Wembley in the 3-1 League One play-off final against Millwall, which helped secure promotion to the Championship. United were hoping to tie down Fletcher to a new deal but he would have found himself way down the pecking order next season behind the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

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Wales' Euro 2016 boss Chris Coleman feared James Collins 'peace talks' would turn into a punch-up
22:30, 4 JUL 2016 UPDATED 23:18, 4 JUL 2016
BY JAMES NURSEY
Relations with defender set to replace banned Ben Davies in Wednesday's semi-final were so bad they met in a busy shopping centre so things wouldn't kick off
The Mirror

Chris Coleman is ready to recall James Collins – despite their stormy past. It took peace talks — held in Cardiff's busiest shopping mall to discourage a bust-up — to settle their differences and pave the way for defender Collins' key role in Wednesday's Euro 2016 semi-final. The West Ham centre-back is in line to return to Wales' starting line-up against Portugal, for the first time since March 2015, because first-choice Ben Davies is suspended. Collins' Welsh career looked over when he and boss Coleman fell out following his unavailability for international duty. The defender publicly contradicted Coleman's claim he had turned down the chance to join the squad as a late call-up for a World Cup qualifier against Serbia in September 2013. An injury-hit side lost 3-0, and the pair subsequently had a tense meeting in Cardiff city centre. Coleman revealed at the time: "We had a coffee in the middle of St David's Shopping Centre so it could not kick off."

Collins, 32, has rarely featured since and not started for his country since playing in the away win over Israel in March 2015, when James Chester was sidelined by a dislocated shoulder. Coleman, a former Wales defender himself, says Collins, who has 48 caps and nicknamed 'Ginge', is "no choirboy". But Coleman insists Collins, who signed a new deal at West Ham in December as a reward for his fine form, will not let his country down if needed in the huge tie in Lyon. Coleman said: "Professional players are different to my day, but Ginge is the closest to my era I have seen in the modern-day player. He is older than most of our boys. He has been there and seen it. He has that experience and is a bit different. "They can't all be like choirboys. You need something in there that's a little bit different and he is that. "But if the big man slots in, I won't have any worries. He knows the drill, he knows what's needed and I'm sure he'll give us whatever he's got."

Collins has had to wait patiently for his chance in France with Coleman's central trio of Davies, Chester and Ashley Williams all outstanding. But he came off the bench against Belgium late on, when Coleman had him mark the powerful Marouane Fellaini as the Welsh protected their lead.

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West Ham reject Lazio's £10m offer for Enner Valencia - but will sell striker for right price
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Lazio have tabled a £10m offer for West Ham forward Enner Valencia, according to reports in Italy. West Ham are on the lookout for a new striker this summer and with the likes of Andy Carroll ahead of Valencia in the pecking order, the Hammers could be open to allowing the Ecuadorian to depart this summer. However, according to Sky Italia, the Hammers are set to reject Lazio's original offer and would like at least £13m for the 26-year-old. Valencia's 2015/16 season was plagued by injuries but he still did enough to impress Lazio in the 24 appearances that he did make. The ball is now back in Lazio's court and they are expected to return with a higher offer later this week.

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Sir Geoff Hurst delivers his verdict on West Ham's Olympic Stadium move
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United legend Sir Geoff Hurst has delivered his verdict on the club's move to the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers departed their beloved Boleyn Ground home of 112 years last season and will move to the 60,000 seater stadium in Stratford this month. An astonishing 52,000 season ticket holders - a new West Ham record and a figure that puts them second only to Manchester United - confirms the club's fans support the move.

Legend's opinion carries weight

Hurst is one of the Hammers' all-time greats with 180 goals in 411 games for the club. He was part of the famous West Ham trio along with Martin Peters and Bobby Moore which won the 1966 World Cup for England, Hurst getting a hat-trick in the final. So when he speaks his opinion carries a lot of weight and he told talkSPORT he is excited by the big stadium move. "For us it's brilliant, great season last year, 52,000 season tickets we've sold, absolutely unbelievable," Hurst told Alan Brazil's Sports Breakfast. "The big issue initially two years ago was whether we were going to fill the stadium. "We're now looking to extend it (for a second time from 60,000 to 66,000) before we've even kicked a ball there. "It's a brilliant time for the club and I think selling 52,000 (season tickets) from an average gate at the Boleyn in the past of 35,000, is astonishing, the way they've marketed it is brilliant and giving kids the chance to buy a season ticket for £99, that is developing you new fans, it's a great move."

Can it compare to Upton Park?

Some fans feel the fact the pitch is slightly further away from the fans is not conducive to creating a rousing and intimidating atmosphere. Others think having an extra 25,000 Hammers belting out Bubbles can't fail to make the atmosphere even better. Slaven Bilic's side will have to go some to better last season's seventh place finish given the competitive nature of the Premier League and influx of some of the finest managers on the planet. But with the likes of Norwegian midfield enforcer Havard Nordveit and Algerian winger Sofiane Feghouli already signed up and the promise of more exciting signings to come there is no reason why the Hammers can't kick on... especially with 60,000 fans screaming them on every other week.

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Prodigal new West Ham star lifts lid on the clear advice he received from Mark Noble
HITC
Damien Lucas

Exciting new West Ham United starlet Domingos Quina has lifted the lid on the caring and sage advice he has received from skipper Mark Noble. The Hammers have been busy collecting some top quality young players in the hope Slaven Bilic can fin tune their talents to benefit the first team. The East Londoners beat off competition from a number of top European clubs - including London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea - to complete the signing of the highly-rated young Portuguese forward last month. The 16-year-old was signed on a two-year scholarship deal with the Hammers and will pen a professional contract when he turns 17 later this year, according to reports in the likes of the Evening Standard. Quina actually chose the Hammers after spending a month training with the club before leaving to play in the Under-17 European Championships - which he won with his home nation Portugal earlier further underlining his burgeoning potential.

'Mark Noble told me he had heard about me before'

A quick, skillful striker with a penchant for the spectacular, a grateful Quina has taken to social networking site Twitter to reveal some sage advice offered to him by his new captain Mark Noble. "Big thank you for all the messages from the West Ham fans I'm going do my best all the time for the football club and fans," he said on Twitter. "Mark Noble told me he had heard about me before and told me to just be myself, feel normal and do my thing and try to do everything right."

domingos quina @domingosquina
Big thank you for all the messages for the @whufc_official fans I'm going do my best all the time for the football club and fans
8:32 PM - 4 Jul 2016

domingos quina @domingosquina
@Noble16Mark told me he had heard about me before and told me to just be myself, feel normal and do my thing and try to do everything right
3:17 PM - 4 Jul 2016

Prodigal crop of youngsters

Quina joins the likes of Antonio Martinez, Martin Samuelsen, Reece Oxford and Reece Burke as a crop of youngsters at the club with genuine potential to gatecrash the first team.
Whether that will be this season or not remains to be seen although their level of first team involvement could very much hinge on the club's progress in the Europa League. Bilic's side face two, two-legged ties to qualify for the competition proper which would then add a further six games to the fixture list. With the extra games, Bilic will be keen to blood his talented crop and give them vital competitive experience. Mauricio Pochettino followed a similar policy at Tottenham Hotspur last season and it helped the club stay fresh for the Premier League as they secured Champions League football.

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Excited Karren Brady delivers interesting Olympic Stadium progress update
HITC
Damien Lucas

Excited West Ham United vice chairman Karren Brady has taken to social media to deliver an interesting progress report on the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers brought the curtain down on 112 years of history at their beloved Boleyn Ground at the end of the season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Manchester United. And now all eyes are on their big move to the 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium down the road in Stratford. The stadium transformation has been moving at a pace recently with the brand new club store and coffee shop now open, and the first seeds sewn on the pitch last month.

Now the club's chief executive Brady has given fans an insight into how some of the exciting features of their new stadium are coming along with a series of posts on Twitter.
"The West Ham Coffee Shop is open! And great coffee it is too!" Brady said on the social networking site.

Lady Brady ✔ @karren_brady
The West Ham Coffee Shop is open! And great coffee it is too!
11:03 AM - 4 Jul 2016

Lady Brady ✔ @karren_brady
Printing machines at the shop are up and running...
11:15 AM - 4 Jul 2016

Lady Brady ✔ @karren_brady
Pitch is coming along beautifully
11:44 AM - 4 Jul 2016

For Hammers fans who have paid out to have their names etched in 'Champions Place stones' outside the ground, Brady revealed: "Being laid at the moment was delayed for a week due to the rain! Should all be installed before the end of the month."


Lady Brady ✔ @karren_brady
Being laid at the moment was delayed 4a week due to the rain! should all be installed before the end of the month. https://twitter.com/bigsul72/status/749920569995526145 …
12:03 PM - 4 Jul 2016

Then there was news for season ticket holders and the latest on some key features of the stadium's 'West Ham-ification'. "In a couple of weeks u will get your access card as turnstiles are electronically activated with your welcome pack," Brady said. "(The wrap around the stadium is) happening now, steel support works going in and then the wrap will be installed and then Europe's largest digital wall."

Lady Brady ✔ @karren_brady
in a couple of weeks u will get your access card as turnstiles are electronically activated with your welcome pack https://twitter.com/MrsPCB/status/749926896973017088 …
12:26 PM - 4 Jul 2016

Lady Brady ✔ @karren_brady
happening now, steel support works going in and then the wrap will be installed & then Europe's largest digital wall https://twitter.com/kramwkram/status/749927289392095232 …
12:27 PM - 4 Jul 2016


West Ham's co owner David Gold poses outside the construction of the Olympic Stadium. West Ham have proposed to take over the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 London Olympics
West Ham co owner David Gold poses outside the Olympic Stadium. The pictures are sure to whet the appetite of Hammers fans as the clock ticks down to the club's opening game against as yet unknown opposition in the Europa League at the end of July/beginning of August. Co-owner David Gold recently denied rumours the stadium transformation is 12 weeks behind in a post on Twitter. And these pictures seem to prove him right.

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Former England international claims Payet is better than Pogba
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba and West Ham United star Dimitri Payet are France international teammates. Former Manchester City and Derby County striker Franny Lee has suggested on social networking site Twitter that West Ham United's Dimitri Payet is a better player than Paul Pogba of Juventus. Payet and Pogba are France international teammates and are currently on duty at the 2016 European Championship. The midfield duo featured in France's 5-2 victory over Iceland at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sunday evening and scored a goal each. Former England international striker Lee was following the match, and he was impressed with Payet's performance but not of Pogba's. Against Iceland, West Ham attacking midfielder Payet took three shots, had a pass accuracy of 88%, created one chance, put in three crosses and attempted four dribbles. Juventus midfielder Pogba took three shots, had a pass accuracy of 94%, attempted one dribble, and made interceptions and one clearance. According to a report in The Daily Mail earlier this month, Manchester United are interested in signing Pogba from Juventus in the summer transfer window. It was reported that Premier League giants United are ready to offer as much as £100 million to secure the services of the 23-year-old midfielder.

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Diafra Sakho yet to join up with his West Ham team-mates as he calls in specialist to examine back injury
Diafra Sakho has not travelled with his team-mates to America
He is struggling with a back injury and is receiving treatment
Sunderland are interested in the £12million-rated forward
By DAVID KENT FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:53, 4 July 2016 | UPDATED: 22:54, 4 July 2016

Diafra Sakho has called in a specialist from France to examine a back injury. The 26-year-old has stayed behind in England while the West Ham squad have travelled to Seattle for a tour of the US. Sakho complained of illness which has delayed his joining up with the squad who play Seattle Sounders in a friendly on Tuesday. Sakho is the target of a £12million bid from Sunderland though West Ham are eager to bring in new forwards before they let anyone leave. They have made offers for several strikers including Vincent Janssen of AZ Alkmaar who is holding out for a move to Tottenham and Michy Batshuayi who joined Chelsea instead.

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