Samuelsen hopeful of Norway debut
WHUFC.com
Martin Samuelsen is hoping to make his full international debut for Norway in Wednesday's meeting with Iceland in Olso. The West Ham United winger was an unused substitute as the Norwegians fell to a 3-0 defeat in Portugal on Sunday evening, having been called into the senior squad from the U21s by coach Per-Mathias Høgmo. Despite the arrival of home-based players in the squad, the 19-year-old has been retained and could be handed his senior bow when Høgmo's side welcome the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers to the Ullevaal Stadium. The Norway coach has said publicly that Samuelsen's opportunity 'will surely come sooner or later' but said he had opted not to throw the Hammers youngster and fellow teenager Ulrik Yttergård Jenssen into Sunday's defeat in Porto. "I wasn't sure I would be retained in the senior squad for this match, but when I heard I would be I was happy," said Samuelsen, who made his Hammers debut in a UEFA Europa League second qualifying round win over Maltese side Birkirkara at the Boleyn Ground in July 2015. "Hopefully I'll make my debut in the next match. "I don't think it makes much difference that this game is at home and the Portugal game was away in Lisbon, but this game is against a slightly different opponent.
"I did allow my expectations to build up on Sunday when I was asked to warm-up, and I was disappointed there and then when I didn't come on, but now my head is clear and I'm ready for the next game. "I'll do my best and hopefully it will be good enough for senior international level."
Elsewhere, fellow teenager Anthony Scully has been named in the Republic of Ireland U18 squad for an Invitational Tournament in Sweden. The Hammers midfielder and his fellow Boys in Green will meet Hungary in Kastvallen on Thursday 2 June at 7pm local time, before tackling the Swedes at Stalringens ishall at 11am local time on Saturday 4 June.
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Proud Carter signs pro deal
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce that 18-year-old midfielder Matt Carter has signed a professional contract with the Club. Having impressed during 19 appearances for the U18s, the youngster capped off a successful campaign by signing a new contract with the club he first joined as a five-year-old. After putting pen to paper, Carter said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have signed my first professional contract, it's been my dream ever since I started at West Ham. "It's a great achievement, I am very proud of myself and my family, I always try to make them proud. "It's been 13 years of hard work to get to this point so I am very glad and hopefully there'll be more to come."
Reflecting on a breakthrough campaign, Carter further impressed while on Development Squad duty, playing a key part in the Hammers' 4-1 victory away at Newcastle United. The east London native rounded off a great personal performance by scoring the Hammers' fourth goal of the evening with a well-executed lob from distance. He continued: "Personally I think I had a good season just finished. I was happy to be out on the pitch as I've had a few injuries in the past few seasons. Now I've been out playing a lot and playing pretty well so I'm happy. I hope that continues into next season. "I think my major highlight so far at West Ham is making my U21 debut at such a young age, I hope that one day I can make it into the first team and play at the new stadium. "Obviously, I've always dreamt of this moment so I am very happy. A lot of the coaches have been here since I started so it's nice to come through with them. I've also been supported by the new coaches so everyone has really helped me become the player I am today."
Having recently returned from the Development Squad's Hong Kong Soccer Sevens campaign which saw them finish runners up for the second consecutive year, Carter is already looking ahead to next term. And in what promises to be a hugely exciting first year at the club's fantastic new stadium, Carter finished by setting his sights high: "I haven't actually been there yet but from what I've heard it's going to be amazing, and I hope I'll play there plenty of times. 60,000 West Ham fans in one place, I hope one day they cheer my name!
"I'd describe myself as a box-to-box midfielder, I'm more of a No8 than a No4 who just sits. My favourite player is Luka Modric, I think he's the best midfielder in the world at the moment. I was watching him closely in the Champions League final, he is the player I want to become in the long run. "Next season I really want to establish myself in the U21s, start every week and hopefully impress Slaven Bilic and get on his radar."
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The Insider
WHUFC.com
The Insider brings you exclusive insight into the behind-the-scenes goings on at West Ham United...
West Ham United have been linked to a number of players in the media in recent days.
Lyon and France pair Samuel Umtiti and Alexandre Lacazette have both been named as Hammers targets, with Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain also reportedly interested in securing the services of the latter.
Another international player who has seen his name mentioned in conjunction with West Ham is AC Milan's Colombia striker Carlos Bacca, who is currently preparing to take part in the centennial Copa America tournament.
The Insider understands the Club are on the lookout for new signings to add to that of Norway midfielder Havard Nordtveit, who will join on a free transfer on 1 July, with the intention that any new players markedly improve the strength of the squad.
The Insider has been told that no senior players will be allowed to leave the Boleyn Ground until after their replacements have been secured.
However, the Insider has learned that Hammers do not want to reveal the names of any targets for fear of alerting rival clubs to their interest.
The media have also been speculating over the future of promising England U19 international Reece Oxford, with Manchester United among the clubs rumoured to be interested in securing the 17-year-old's services.
The Insider has been told that West Ham have no intention of allowing Oxford to leave and are hopeful that the teenager will sign a new long-term contract in the near future.
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From the Terraces - Joe Difford
WHUFC.com
Fan blogger Joe Difford reflects on a memorable 2015/16 season…
What a season it has been at West Ham United. The 38 games seem to have gone from first whistle to last in the blink of an eye.
Slaven Bilic's arrival was never expected to have the immediate impact it did, and the football on show has been an absolute joy to watch almost every game.
So where do you start when talking about the best moments of our strongest league performance in Premier League history?
Dimitri Payet's physics-defying free kicks that managed to find their way into the top corner no matter how far away from goal or how many men are in the wall? James Collins' dramatic last-second blocks that cause the Boleyn Ground to erupt in a chant of 'One Ginger Pele'? Or perhaps seeing Mark Noble complete a 70 yard run to steal the ball off an attacker, before playing a long, accurate through ball to a forward?
The individual moments of greatness have been in abundance this season, and almost every player has done something special that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
As a team, we have picked up some spectacular results, especially against teams who almost always finish above us in the table. We went to Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool to take all three points. Tottenham's title hopes were taken away in our final ever clash at Upton Park and the last game in the ground saw us beat Manchester United in one of the most electrifying matches of football in history.
Euro 2016 and Roy Hodgson's England squad was subject of a great deal of discussion after he overlooked Noble, Michail Antonio, Andy Carroll and Aaron Cresswell, despite the quartet having the best season of their careers.
Antonio in particular has impressed, having had to wait patiently for an opportunity after joining from Nottingham Forest last summer. The wide man has had a part to play in over 15 goals, and has shown his versatility by filling in at right back. His crowning moment, a Simpsons inspired celebration that started a theme of dances every time he scored.
Farewell Boleyn. Arguably the toughest part of the season, having to say goodbye to our home of 112 years. It is difficult to accept the move, even with the magnificent Olympic Stadium awaiting our arrival, but having seen how we can perform with a top manager and a top squad makes you wonder what we could achieve with 60,000 Hammers cheering them on.
It has been a record breaking year for West Ham. We went on our longest home unbeaten run that stretched almost nine months, finished with a positive goal difference for the first time in Premier League history and accumulated our highest points total too, lifting us to seventhth in the league.
When the season started way back in August, many fans would have been happy with a top half finish, but Bilic kept us fighting for the top four until the final few weeks, and still we have a Europa League place and were unlucky not to make it to the FA Cup final.
This season has been one of many highs and few lows, something rare in recent years. Players have shone and some truly wonderful goals have been scored, and with the positive atmosphere around the club and the terraces, who knows how excellent next season will be.
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No deal yet, says Bacca agent
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st June 2016
By: Staff Writer
Sergio Barila is flying to London for talks with West Ham over the possible transfer of Milan striker Carlos Bacca. However Barila, who represents the Columbian international says that any possible deal is some way from being concluded - despite admitting to calciomercato.com that his client is very interested in a move to the Premier League. "For now it's time to wait and to see what the future will hold,"he told calciomercato.com. "I have to evaluate what is best for Carlos and, above all, confirm the options that are being presented. "Carlos is a player with great value on the [transfer] market. It 's normal to have clubs interested in knowing his situation. "For now, we have to be quiet and wait. There is nothing concrete and I can not say anything more concrete on this issue at present."
Milan, who are currently experiencing serious financial difficulties are looking for a fee in the region of €25million for 29-year-old Bacca. West Ham's current offer stands at €20million.
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Hands off Champions sculpture, say Newham residents KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st June 2016
By: Staff Writer
Local residents have launched a campaign to keep the iconic Champions statue at the junction of Green Street and the Barking Road. The Newham Recorder reports today that a local resident, Cecilia Walsh, has set up a petition aimed at keeping the statue in Newham which has already attracted more than 1,000 signatures. "It seems right to keep it where it is," Ms Walsh told the Recorder. "They're taking everything to Stratford, all the memories of West Ham. Can't they leave us something to remember?" A spokesman for the Council said: "Councillors agreed it could only be moved once a fully funded plan was in place to improve the junction where the sculpture currently stands after it has been relocated."
The statue, which was erected in 2003, stands 16 feet tall and weighs four tons is set to be moved to the Hammers' new home at the Olympic Stadium later this summer. Sculpted by Royal Sculptor Philip Jackson and formally titled 'The Champions or The World Cup Sculpture', it was jointly commisioned by Newham Council and West Ham United FC. It took two years and cost £725,000 to build - £400,000 of which came from a Government grant.
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Bacca agent in London for West Ham talks KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st June 2016
By: Staff Writer
Carlos Bacca's agent is flying to London for talks with representatives of West Ham. It was revealed earlier this week that they Hammers had made an offer, thought to be in the region of €20million (circa £15million), for the 29-year-old Milan striker. And Gianluca Di Marzio, who broke that particular piece of news has revealed that the player's agent is on his way to England for talks with the Hammers - even though Milan are yet to formally accept West Ham's opening offer. The Columbian international is said to be earning in the region of £130,000 per week with I Rossoneri, whom he joined from Sevilla in a €30million deal just 12 months ago. Since moving to Serie A, Bacca - who has maintained 'a goal every two games' throughout his professional career - has netted 20 times in 42 games for the Serie A side.
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Lacazette deal must be concluded by July KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st June 2016
By: Staff Writer
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas says any deal for striker Alexandre Lacazette must be concluded by 1 July - otherwise he will remain with Lyon. Aulus, who has stolen the limelight in recent weeks with his regular updates on the striker's situation has told L'Equipe that unless a deal is concluded by the end of the month, Lacazette will remain with Les Gones. And that will be the case even if Lyon were offered €80million, insisted Aulus. "If, on 28 August, we are offered €80m for Alexandre Lacazette, he will not leave," he told L'Equipe. "However if he comes to me in the days to come, because he has an offer he cannot refuse, it's possible. If there must be departures, they will be before June 30th. There will be none after, except for minor players."
PSG remain the hot favourites to sign Lacazette after West Ham's interest cooled, although Tottenham are reported to be keen to hold talks with the 24-year-old goalscorer.
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Oggs off to France
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st June 2016
By: Staff Writer
Angelo Ogbonna will be joining fellow Hammers Dimi Payet, James Collins and Darren Randolph in France for the European Championships. The centre half, who joined West Ham in an £8million switch from Serie A champions Juventus has been handed the #5 shirt in Italy's squad for this summer's extravaganza, which begins in France next week. Manager Antonio Conte, speaking on Italian TV last night revealed he was very happy with his 23-man selection. "The choices are made, we reflected a great deal and picked the best players at our disposal," he said. "As far as I am concerned, I have some pretty precise ideas." The most notable omissions from Conte's roster are Napoli midfielder Jorginho and Riccardo Montolivo, who is ruled out of the tournament with a calf problem.
Italy: Euro 16 squad
1 Buffon, 2 De Sciglio, 3 Chiellini, 4 Darmian, 5 Ogbonna, 6 Candreva, 7 Zaza, 8 Florenzi, 9 Pelle, 10 Motta, 11 Immobile, 12 Sirigu, 13 Marchetti, 14 Sturaro, 15 Barzagli, 16 De Rossi, 17 Eder, 18 Parolo, 19 Bonucci, 20 Insigne, 21 Bernardeschi, 22 El Shaarawy, 23 Giaccherini.
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Under-represented? West Ham way down in Euro 16 table KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st June 2016
By: Staff Writer
West Ham will be represented by just four players at this summer's Euro 16 - one of the lowest numbers for an established Premier League club. Of 552 players registered to take part in this summer's tournament, 134 come from the top two divisions in England (103 from the Premier League and 33 from the Championship). That's way more than the Bundesliga (57 players), Serie A (52), the Super Lig (35) and La Liga, which had produced both European club champions this season (just 34). And with regards to the Premier League, nine clubs will will be represented with more players than West Ham, who finished the 2015/16 season in seventh place. Liverpool lead the pack with 12 players whilst Tottenham (11) and Manchester United (10) complete the top three. Way down the table, in joint ninth, are West Ham, whose meagre total of four players is matched by the likes of Crystal Palace, relegated Norwich City and Championship side Reading. The most represented clubs at Euro 16 - as compiled by Ekstra Stats - will be as follows. West Ham's four representatives at the tournament will be Dimitri Payet (France), James Collins (Wales), Darren Randolph (RO Ireland) and Angelo Ogbonna (Italy).
Most Players at Euro 16 (all Europe)
1. Liverpool, Juventus (12 players)
2. Tottenham (11)
3. Manchester United (10)
4. Barcelona, Bayern Munich (9)
5. Real Madrid, Arsenal, Basel, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce, Roma (8) 6. Besiktas, Dynamo Kiev, Southampton, Shakhtar Donetsk (7) 7. Chelsea, Manchester City, Zenit, Viktoria Pilzno, Napoli, Ferencvaros, Dynamo Zagrzeb (6) 8. Everton, Stoke City, Bursaspor, Dortmund, Fiorentina, Galatasaray, Krasnodar, Legia Warsaw, Lokomotiv, Sparta Prague (5) 9. West Ham Utd, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Norwich, Reading, Swansea, Watford, West Brom + 10 others (4)
All UK Clubs Represented at Euro 16
1. Liverpool (12 players)
2. Tottenham (11)
3. Manchester Utd (10)
4. Arsenal (8)
5. Southampton (7)
6. Chelsea, Manchester City (6)
7. Everton, Stoke City (5)
8. West Ham Utd, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Norwich, Reading, Swansea, Watford, West Brom (4) 9. Burnley, Sheffield Weds (3) 10. Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, MK Dons, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland (2) 11. Aberdeen, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cardiff, Celtic, Charlton, Doncaster, Fleetwood, Hamilton, Hull, Inverness, Ipswich, Kilmarniokc, Leeds, Millwall, Newcastle, QPR, St Johnstone, Wigan, Wolves (1)
Most Represented Leagues
1. Premier League (England) 103
2. Bundesliga (Germany) 57
3. Serie A (Italy) 52
4. Super Lig (Turkey) 35
5. La Liga (Spain) 34
6. Premier League (Russia) 32
7. Championship (England) 31
8. Ligue 1 (France) 22
9. Premier League (Ukraine) 20
10. Super League (Switzerland) 16
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Tore certain to leave Besiktas
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st June 2016
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have been linked to a whole succession of players from Super Lig club Besiktas in recent weeks. So we thought we'd ask an expert for his views on the players currently linked with a move to the Olympic Stadium this summer. Here Kaan Bayazit, the Editor of respected Besiktas website www.besiktas-international.com gives us the lowdown an some of the Black Eagles' stars tipped to move to England this summer...
Gokhan Töre
"Töre is going to happen sooner rather than later, he is 100 per cent leaving Besiktas during this transfer window."
Oguzhan 'Ozzy' Özyakup
"Don't hold your breath on this one as his relationship with Bilic wasn't as strong as Töre's. Bilic benched him a lot during the 2014/15 season. And unlike Töre, Oguzhan [who began his career with Arsenal] isn't desperate to return to England in a hurry.
Veli Kavlak
"If the interest in Kavlak is serious, that shouldn't pose much of an issue for Besiktas given that his place in the team is questionable."
Atiba Hutchinson
"His name gets brought up with West Ham every season and his dream is to play in the Premier League. He had the chance last summer when he was a free agent but he opted to stay in Turkey, so I have a hard time imagining that would happen. Hutchinson is the pillar of the Besiktas team but is already 33, so I doubt West Ham will be willing to offer what he's worth to BJK."
* You may read more from Kaan with view to who will be coming and going at Besiktas this summer here.
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Be encouraged – Slav looking only at very best Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 1, 2016 in News, Whispers C and H
It was very reassuring to learn that Slaven Bilic will be watching those players on his priority list at the Euro 201 Finals. For days we have been told that any number of previously unheard of strikers, midfielders and defenders could be on their way to the club plus of course …Gokham Tore!!! It's par for the course at this time of the year for such stuff to be contantly doing the rounds but with a major tournament in front of us why wouldn't Slav be looking at the very best players aroundbefore making big decisions?
We were told categorically yesterday evening that all his big targets are involved in the competition and any that aren't would be very low on his priorty list. Frankly it's enough for me at the moment to know that is the case and entirely as I expected when we reported people inside the club as saying "no dealings are likely to be done before the tournament." Be encouraged Slav is on the case and in Slav we trust!
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