Bilic hopeful of new Antonio deal
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic hopeful that Michail Antonio will sign a new contract in the
near future
Winger has been in outstanding form for West Ham United over the last 18
months
Antonio has scored 16 goals in 46 Premier League appearances in Claret and
Blue
Slaven Bilic hopes Michail Antonio will sign a 'deserved' new contract with
West Ham United in the near future. The No30 has been outstanding since
breaking into Bilic's starting XI in December 2015, scoring 16 goals in 46
Premier League appearances and assisting six more. Just 18 months after
moving to the Hammers from Championship club Nottingham Forest, Antonio's
form has seen him become an automatic pick for the manager, while he was
also called-up by England for the first time last October. Speculation has
been rife that Antonio would be offered a new contract to warn off potential
suitors since the January transfer window opened, and Bilic hopes the deal
will be completed shortly. "The players have deals, but he is the player who
came last season to us and he has improved a lot and came from being a
player for the future to one who we gave a chance to one of our most
important players," he said, speaking during his press conference ahead of
Saturday's Premier League trip to Middlesbrough. "It's been long-term, too,
and not just the last few games. Last season, since he scored that goal
against Southampton, he has basically not stopped. "He was very good for us
last season and he has continued to do it for us this season and when
players are playing like that, at a good age as well, then a lot of clubs –
at least in the papers – are interested in them and that puts them in a good
position for a new deal. "He definitely deserved it, so it's a Club decision
together with my own but for me he has a big-time green light to sign a new
deal with us! "I think it [talks] just started but I don't know all the
details about all that, as I leave it to the Chairmen, but I hope it's
close. Well, I hope it's done, to be fair! "I see no problem there because
he is definitely the one who totally deserves it with his behaviour, with
his work-rate, with his quality and, at the end of the day, with the goals,
assists and energy he is providing us with."
When asked how Antonio has blossomed into one of English football's top
performers, just a few years after plying his trade with non-league Tooting
& Mitcham United, Bilic praised the winger's determination to succeed above
all else. "It's a character and that's the main thing," he confirmed. "When
you are a manager judging players, you can say 'he has a great left foot, a
great right foot, pace, skills, vision' and all that, but it's the character
that makes the difference. "For me it's not enough only to have character,
you have to have quality, but what makes the difference long term in your
improvement on a daily basis is character and his character is spot-on.
"Last weekend, for example, he wasn't supposed to play in that game because
he had a temperature of 38.4 degrees the day before the game, which was
definitely high enough to rule him out, but he wanted to play and to play in
those conditions is unbelievable. "To contribute as he did with three
brilliant assists was amazing, so he deserves credit for that game, big
time."
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Four face fitness race
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll, Sofiane Feghouli, Sam Byram and Winston Reid all hoping to
shake off knocks
Carroll suffered whiplash injury but Slaven Bilic is optimistic he will be
fit to face Middlesbrough
Feghouli, Byram and Reid all trained with the first-team squad on Thursday
Slaven Bilic is hopeful of naming an unchanged squad for the Premier League
trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday. The Hammers will again be without Dimitri
Payet, while Cheikhou Kouyate and Andre Ayew are at the Africa Cup of
Nations, and Alvaro Arbeloa, Arthur Masuaku, Havard Nordtveit, Diafra Sakho
and Gokhan Tore are injured.
Bilic revealed in his Thursday press conference that Crystal Palace
goalscorers Andy Carroll and Sofiane Feghouli are both carrying knocks,
while defenders Winston Reid and Sam Byram also picked up minor injuries in
the 3-0 win over the Eagles. However, the boss is confident all four will be
fit to face Boro at the Riverside Stadium.
Byram, Reid and Feghouli all trained at Rush Green on Thursday, while
Carroll worked on an individual basis and is expected to return to the squad
on Friday. "Andy has got a bit of a whiplash injury," said the manager.
"That's what I have been told by the physios, so I went to a dictionary to
find out what that is! "He has a sore neck so hopefully he's going to be OK.
It was at the end of the game [and not when he scored his scissor kick
goal]. He trained on Tuesday and was brilliant in training, but then he
reported some neck pain, but hopefully he's going to be OK. "We have a few
with knocks – Andy, Winston Reid has a painful one and Sam Byram has a knock
on his knee and it was swollen and he missed training on Wednesday, but he
will train on Thursday and he should be OK. "Also Sofiane Feghouli missed
training on Wednesday because of a minor problem with his Achilles, but I'm
very optimistic that all of them are going to be fit for the game on
Saturday."
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Collins has special memories of facing Boro
WHUFC.com
James Collins will always have special memories of facing Middlesbrough and
hopes to be celebrating another big victory at the Riverside Stadium on
Saturday.
Collins enjoyed one of his best moments in a claret and blue shirt when he
helped West Ham record a memorable FA Cup semi-final win over the north east
club back in April 2006 to reach the FA Cup Final for the first time since
1980. Marlon Harewood's second half winner at Villa Park made it a day to
remember for the thousands of Hammers fans who made the trip to Birmingham
and the Welsh defender will never forget the celebrations that followed.
Collins said: "It has to be one of my best days in a West Ham shirt and one
of the highlights of my career. "Everything about it was fantastic. It was
my first year at West Ham and we knew it was going to be a big day. If we
got the victory, we were going to Cardiff to play in the FA Cup Final. "We
played really well and I probably have most of my memories from after the
game when we were celebrating in the big bath tub and enjoyed the
celebrations. That will stay with me forever."
Collins will be making his first appearance at the Riverside Stadium since
2008 when Hayden Mullins got on the scoresheet during a 1-1 draw and will be
hoping for a better outcome this weekend. Following the memorable 3-0 win
over Crystal Palace last weekend, the experienced defender admits the
players are full of confidence as they prepare for the trip to the north
east and hopes to see a repeat performance. Collins added: "It has been a
while since I last played up at Middlesbrough. It is always a tough place to
go and they are doing well back in the top flight. "But we took a hell of a
lot of confidence from the performance on Saturday and all the players look
sharp back in training. The boys who are in the team are hitting top form
and hopefully we can re-produce the form we showed against Crystal Palace.
"We have been threatening to come away with a performance like that. A
couple of games we have conceded a lot of goals, but we knew if we could
keep a clean sheet that we had the players going forward to score us the
goals. "We are delighted to have scored three and it could have been a lot
more."
One of those goals included a memorable scissor kick from Andy Carroll and
Collins says it is one of the best he has ever seen during his career. "I
said to Andy after the game that I don't think I have seen a goal as good as
the one he scored on Saturday. "I was standing right behind it and I have
not seen a strike as good as that. All credit to Andy and he has been trying
it a couple of times in training since I have known him. "To pull it off in
such a big game and such a big goal for the club is great for him. He is
hitting top form now and long may that continue. It comes down to technique
and I have seen a few in my time but that is the best bicycle kick I have
ever seen. A lot people probably thought he was going to head it, but he has
tried it in training and lucky for him it has paid off in the game."
Collins also had nothing but praise for Michail Antonio who was forced to
miss the build-up with a high temperature and produced one of his best
performances as he completed a hat-trick of assists. "It was a brilliant
performance from Michail. He didn't really train with us last week and
credit to him for the way he has played. He was still pretty ill before the
game but the performance he put in was fantastic. "He said it wasn't going
to be a problem and he set up three goals and it could have been more. He is
hitting top form as well so we hope they can do the same again on Saturday.
"He is a top footballer and can do a good job wherever he is asked to play.
He played right wing-back in the first half and did well and then he went
upfront and it gives us a totally different dimension when he is playing
alongside Andy. "Andy can flick the ball into Michail and he has got the
pace to get in behind. He can set up goals as well and is the all-round
footballer at the moment."
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Slaven - We want to keep this positivity
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic wants his team to achieve back-to-back victories by winning at
Middlesbrough
West Ham United defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 at London Stadium last time out
Manager admits four players are battling to overcome 'knocks' to be fit to
face Boro
Slaven Bilic wants his team to build on the momentum they built in beating
Crystal Palace when they head to Middlesbrough on Saturday. West Ham United
ended a challenging week full of speculation about the future of Dimitri
Payet by downing the Eagles 3-0 at London Stadium. Having notched their
first victory of 2017, Bilic wants the Hammers to maintain their feelgood
factor by collecting another three points at the Riverside Stadium. However,
the manager knows defeating a Boro team that has conceded just four goals in
their last six home Premier League matches will be no easy task. "We have a
game on Saturday where we definitely want to keep all this positivity around
us," he confirmed. "We have had it on the training ground this week and we
don't want to lose the momentum. "We have a very difficult game on Saturday
against a team that is very, very solid. They don't score a lot but they
don't concede a lot or give away too many chances. But again, it's a good
opportunity for us and we've got to be on top of our game and I think we
have a good chance. "We're in a good situation now but we want to be in a
really good situation and for that you need points and for points you need
performances and for performances you need confidence and atmosphere and
everything."
Slaven Bilic and Aitor Karanka saw their teams play out a 1-1 draw at London
Stadium in October revealed his respect for the Spaniard, who guided Boro to
promotion last season and has already seemingly established them as
resilient Premier League team. "For every foreigner, especially a manager,
to come a foreign country, is much more difficult than it is for a player –
it was easier for me as I played here," he observed. "For him [Karanka],
especially in the Championship, which is a unique competition where you play
every day basically, to get a promotion in two seasons is brilliant. "He got
them in Premier League and he was very brave to add some players. Although
he got very connected with that squad because they were successful, he knew
he couldn't rely only on them and he needed more quality players. "So, to
get [Spain internationals Alvaro] Negredo, [Victor] Valdes and a few others,
you need character and to be a decision-maker. He has done it all. They are
hard to beat and very organised so Chapeau to him."
While Karanka will set his team up to stifle the Hammers, Bilic himself
hopes to take an unchanged squad to Teesside, but admitted Andy Carroll,
Winston Reid, Sam Byram and Sofiane Feghouli will need to shake off knocks
if they are to feature this weekend.
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PAYET THE LOVE AFFAIR IS OVER!
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 19 JANUARY 2017 AT 9:34PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
This was written by: Aaron Lee aaronlee90@hotmail.com
As we come towards the close of the transfer window many are wondering if we
will see the departure of Dimitri Payet. In my honest opinion last season
Dimitri Payet was probably the best player I've seen pull on a claret and
blue shirt in my time as a West Ham United fan. I absolutely adored Paolo Di
Canio and Joe Cole but Dimitri made a habit of continuously getting people
off their seats on a regular basis. West Ham gave Payet the platform to
perform in the best league in the world and he grabbed his opportunity with
both hands. I'm sure his free kicks against Crystal Palace and Man United
will live long in the memory for us hammers fans but where did it all go
wrong?
Rewind to February 2016,Payet had just been given a new five year contract
and a pay rise for his outstanding performances earlier on in the season and
he was more than happy to sign it. He stated his love for the club and the
fans and made a statement saying the love affair continues,he vowed how he
wanted to be with West Ham for many years to come. Payet swept up award
after award at the end of season player awards ceremony and not many could
argue that he didn't deserve the awards. He stated how much Slaven Bilic was
a father figure to him,he loved the club and was grateful for the tremendous
support from the fans and once again mentioned the love affair he had with
our supporters. Shortly after this he lit up the European championships
showing displays that West Ham fans had become accustom to throughout the
season scoring a stunning strike against Romania and scoring against Albania
to confirm France a place in the last 16. As many of you remember this was
the game where Slaven Bilic climbed on the announce table arms aloft in
celebration at our midfield genius, Payet was voted in the Euro 2016 team of
the tournament and also became shortlisted for the Ballon D'or becoming
only the fourth West Ham player to get nominated for the coveted award
following in the footsteps of Sir Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Bobby
Moore.
Fast forward nearly a year from when he signed his improved contract,the
same man who declared his love for our club and how proud he was to wear our
famous shirt has now decided to down tools refusing to play so he could
engineer a return to Marseille. This isn't the first time Payet has tried to
force a move by going on strike. He done the same while at Saint-Etienne in
2011, threatening to fake injuries to rule himself out of selection, not
turning up for training sessions. This was revealed by Slav in his press
conference, the same man who only a few months earlier Payet was claiming he
considered a father figure. Slav had the look of a broken man and claimed
how upset and angry he was about the situation. When Dimitri has played this
season the flashes of brilliance that we adored last season have been few
and far between. Many had questioned his commitment and desire this season
suggesting that Payet has the look of a man who didn't want to be here. For
me this became clear even more so in our game in the league cup at Old
Trafford when Ashley Fletcher scored his first goal for the club, Dimitri
decided to jog back instead of celebrating with the rest of his teammates.
As many of you would have picked up on the media have tried to claim that
Slaven done exactly the same back in 1997 when Everton tried to sign him,
this could not be further from the truth as Slaven insisted to the Everton
officials that he had a debt of loyalty to West Ham and he would stay with
the club till the end of the season to ensure we was not relegated and that
turned out to be the case before he departed for the blue half of
Merseyside.
After the brilliant second half performance against Palace on Saturday you
could tell the players were together and behind the manager there was a
sense of urgency to prove that we don't need Payet. Our fans who were
fantastic were behind the team and especially Slaven Bilic from the first
whistle to the last. The good thing to come out of this Payet situation is
that it has seemed to bring us all back together that was without doubt the
best atmosphere in a Premier League game at the London Stadium and I hope
this continues. Obviously the owners and super Slav have stated Dimitri
Payet will not be sold in this window but for me the sooner he goes the
better, there is no way back for Payet at West Ham and as far as I'm
concerned I wouldn't want to see him in our shirt again. His actions and
attitude will do nothing to help the team and this has been stated by the
likes of Andy Carroll and Mark Noble, no player will ever be bigger than the
club and West Ham United will be around long after Payet has gone so as much
as you was adored because of your genius and brilliance the love affair is
now over Dimitri.
Come on you Irons
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Fonte set for Hammers switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th January 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are hoping to complete the capture of experienced
Southampton captain Jose Fonte by the weekend.
The 33-year-old central defender is on the verge of joining the Hammers in a
deal worth in the regoin £8million + add-ons, according to reports, with his
current deal at St Mary's coming to an end.
A Portuguese international, Fonte - who is contracted to Soton until the end
of next season (2017/18) - arrived in England ten years ago when he joined
Crystal Palace on loan from Benfica, a deal that was made permanent in 2008.
Two years later he joined Southampton on a permanent basis, signing for the
Saints in a cut-price £1,2million deal. Since then, Fonte has made more than
250 appearances for the South Coast club.
Fonte is understood to have handed in a transfer request when his current
club failed to offer him an extended contract. The defender is said to have
been seeking a deal worth in the region of £70,000 over two-and-a-half
years.
Slaven Bilic, when asked about potential incomings during his press
conference this morning (Thursday) replied: "I am not talking about names;
all I can say is that we hope to settle something in the next 24 hours."
Speaking about the Fonte situation yesterday, Saints boss Claude Puel
claimed that the club has received several enquiries. "I think he has some
opportunities," he said. "We will see if Jose leaves Southampton; we will
see over the next few days."
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West Ham poised to sign Jose Fonte from Southampton
Last Updated: 19/01/17 9:02pm
SSN
West Ham are close to agreeing a deal to sign defender Jose Fonte from
Southampton, according to Sky sources. Talks continued on Thursday and a fee
of £8m is being discussed for the 33-year-old, who helped Portugal to Euro
2016 glory last summer. Fonte has been at Southampton since 2010, having
joined from Crystal Palace, but expressed his desire to leave the club
earlier this month. Southampton manager Claude Puel confirmed at his press
briefing on Thursday that Fonte could depart. "Jose has different
possibilities," said the Saints boss. "He has the solution and the
opportunity to see this, and we will see what the situation is in a few
days. "He was in training this morning with the players and he works
normally with good spirit, and like a professional."
Southampton have lost their last four Premier League games and Puel admits
the speculation regarding Fonte's future has been a distraction. "This
situation with Jose is difficult for the squad," Puel said. "It's difficult
for him also. "It's not just about this market; it's been since the
beginning of the season. "It's been a difficult situation for Jose because
he's always in discussions with the club, about contracts, or no contracts.
"I took a decision at the beginning of this window to keep Jose out the
team, to study different possibilities, and to protect the team from all
this speculation about Jose. "With this many games it's important to keep
focused about our game, not just on the situation of Jose. It's difficult,
but the squad can take the responsibilities."
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Andy Carroll doubt for West Ham's Middlesbrough trip with whiplash
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 19/01/17 5:14pm
SSN
Slaven Bilic has revealed Andy Carroll is a doubt for West Ham's trip to
Middlesbrough after suffering a whiplash injury. The striker scored a
spectacular, acrobatic scissor kick during last weekend's 3-0 win over
Crystal Palace. But at the end of the match he was feeling a problem with
his neck and had to sit out training earlier this week. We take a look back
at some of the best Premier League overhead kicks after Andy Carroll's
brilliant effort against Crystal Palace. Manager Slaven Bilic was surprised
by the unusual diagnosis, but still expects his big frontman to be fit for
the trip to Teesside. "He's got a whiplash injury, that's what I was told
from the physios," said Bilic. "Then I went to the dictionary basically to
find out what that is. It was a sore neck, but hopefully he will be okay.
"It was at the end of the game, I don't know how he got it. "He then trained
Tuesday very hard, he was brilliant in training, but then reported some neck
pain. But as I say, hopefully he will be okay. "We have a few with knocks -
Winston Reid has a painful one and Sam Byram has a knock on his knee, it was
swollen and he missed training on Wednesday. "Also Sofiane Feghouli missed
training on Wednesday because of a minor problem with his Achilles. "But I'm
very optimistic that all of them are going to be fit for the game on
Saturday."
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Slaven Bilic reveals West Ham are close to making new signing
By Andrew Dickson
Last Updated: 19/01/17 1:10pm
SSN
Slaven Bilic is optimistic West Ham will make a new signing before the
weekend as Dimitri Payet's future remains in the balance. The France
midfielder is still working with the London club's U23 squad after initially
training on his own when he said he no longer wanted to play for Bilic's
team. Payet remains intent on rejoining Marseille and Sky sources understand
he has turned down weekly wages of £500,000 from three Chinese clubs because
he wants a return to the Velodrome so much. The 29-year-old is understood to
be willing to take a pay cut of at least 30 per cent from his current wage
of £125,000 per week in order to make the move happen. All the while, West
Ham - who have so far rejected two bids and want at least £30m for Payet -
are planning for the future and Bilic is optimistic of an imminent arrival.
He said: "We are not looking for big numbers as I have strong belief in our
qualities now in the dressing room, but we need one or two players. "Are any
deals close? Close is very relative in football. Many times something that
looks close doesn't happen. And sometimes something that looks distant
suddenly happens. But in 24 hours, hopefully."
One name West Ham have been linked with is that of Jose Fonte, with the
Southampton defender wanting to leave St Mary's this month. Liverpool have
said they will not be signing the Portuguese defender in the January
transfer window and Bilic has denied the 33-year-old has had a medical with
his club. "Not a medical," the Croatian coach added. "Look, I said a few
times already I'm not going to talk about names."
The ongoing situation with Payet is clearly one which attracts much
attention given the spectacular impact he made in his first season in the
Premier League last term. While it might continue making headlines, Bilic
maintains a stand-off means there is no sign of compromise either way. He
said: "Is his departure inevitable? I don't know. "What has changed?
Nothing. Dimi took his stance clearly. We took our stance very clearly and
it stays the same. "We are not going to sell our best players on the cheap
just because someone wants to sign them or even because they want to go
home. "I left it with the chairman and I'm sure he's going to do the best
thing. The ball is in Marseille's court. They are the ones who expressed
interest. Now they should act. "I don't talk about numbers. All I'm saying
is we were very firm, we know the market, we know how good or great he is as
a player. Like everybody he has his price."
Bilic, meanwhile, revealed West Ham are working to convince winger Michail
Antonio to sign a new contract, with Chelsea reportedly interested in him.
Antonio, 26, whose current deal expires in 2019, set up all three goals
against Crystal Palace last weekend and has scored eight times this season.
Bilic said: "When players play like that and are at a good age then they are
attracting interest from other clubs and that puts them in a good position
for a new deal. Definitely, he deserves it.
"It's a club decision, of course, but Mikey's got a big time green light to
sign a new deal. I leave it to the chairman but I hope it's close. I hope
it's done to be fair."
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic says Michail Antonio's new deal is 'close'
By Joe Shread
Last Updated: 19/01/17 1:47pm
SSN
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says that Michail Antonio deserves a new
contract and hopes an agreement is "close". The winger is the Hammers' top
scorer this season with eight Premier League goals in 20 matches, and Bilic
is keen to reward Antonio for his fine form. Antonio only signed a new
contract until 2020 in July last year but the Croatian confirmed the club
are discussing improved terms for the attacker. Bilic said: "He definitely
deserves it, with his behaviour, his work-rate, his quality, his energy, and
his goals and assists that he's providing us. "The player came to us last
season and he improved a lot. He came basically from one of the players for
the future to the stage where he is one of the most important players for us
in the long term. "It is not like a few games or whatever. It was last
season since he scored that goal against Southampton (his first for the
club), and basically then he didn't stop. "He was very good for us last
season and then he continued to do the same this season. When the players
are playing like that, in a good age as well, that has put him in a good
position for a new deal." "It's a club decision of course, together with
mine. But I give him a big time green light to sign a new deal with us. I
hope it is close. Well I hope it is done, to be fair, but I see no problem
there." Antonio, 26, who had no top-flight experience before signing for
West Ham from Nottingham Forest at the start of last season, has scored 16
goals in 46 Premier League games. He chose to represent England over
Jamaica, who he was also eligible for, last year and was called up to an
England squad by former boss Sam Allardyce earlier this season, but he is
yet to win his first cap.
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Dimitri Payet should take a leaf out of Alexis Sanchez's book - a warrior
who wants to play EVERY minute
The Frenchman is refusing to play for West Ham, while his Chilean
counterpart across London runs his blood to water for Arsenal
The Mirror
BYSTEVE STAMMERS
17:34, 19 JAN 2017
Three of the Premier League big hitters have been in the headlines in the
last week. Down at West Ham, Dimitri Payet claims he family cannot settle in
England and wants to go back to France with Olympique Marseille in his
sights. He will move in this window. He has to… West Ham fans are an
unforgiving lot and his life will be hell in claret and blue. Strange all
seemed well domestically last season when the Hammers gave him the platform
on which to excel and help him all the way to the European Championship
finals with France. Down at Chelsea, Diego Costa opted to take on
billionaire owner Roman Abramovich using an offer to move to China on
£30million a year as the reason to leave. Only one winner there, Diego.
Abramovich has the financial resources to let him rot in the background
rather than cave in to Chinese pressure. Then there is Alexis Sanchez at
Arsenal. A totally different character to the other pair. Payet has downed
tools. Costa has been ostracised by manager Antonio Conte while he gets his
head right and realises that Abramovich is an unbeatable foe. With Sanchez,
he captured the limelight because he actually WANTS to play. He was pictured
sulking because he was taken off late in the 4-0 win against Swansea. The
Chilean had contributed massively to the win. His persistence and sheer will
to win had created the crucial first goal when he made an apparently lost
cause into a profitable one. He got possession of a ball the rest had given
up as an inevitable throw-in, crossed and that created the goal for Olivier
Giroud. Then he scored the fourth before manager Arsene Wenger decided to
take him off. Sanchez was furious NOT to finish the game. Unlike Payet, he
wants to play every minute of every match. Wenger is protective of him.
Sanchez reckons he doesn't need protection. At the start of last season,
after helping Chile to win the Copa America after a penalty shoot-out
against Argentina after extra-time on July 4, Sanchez was back in at Arsenal
training after a fortnight. Wenger was staggered. Even more so when Sanchez
said he wanted to play in the opening game against West Ham. In the end, he
was on the bench and played the 23 minutes. Sanchez, you see, is a warrior.
He has an aggressive streak to go with his undoubted ability and football is
his life. He cannot understand why he is NOT playing. He cannot understand
if he is taken off. That philosophy is why he seemed to sulk at Swansea.
That is why he kicked away his gloves and sat draped in a stadium coat. That
is why he is a winner and has qualities that Wenger so admires. He wants to
play every minute of every game. Not that Dimitri Payet would understand. He
just wouldn't understand.
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Dimitri Payet's car vandalised outside his house as wantaway West Ham star
is deleted from team WhatsApp group
West Ham United's Dimitri Payet had his car was targeted outside his house
Payet has refused to play for West Ham and has trained with the Under 23s
The 29-year-old wants to move away from England and back to France
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says the club won't sell its best players
By MATT LAWTON FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 19 January 2017 | UPDATED: 22:30, 19 January 2017
Dimitri Payet's return to France appeared inevitable on Thursday night after
it emerged the West Ham rebel's car had been vandalised. The car was
targeted outside Payet's house, with suggestions a brick was thrown through
a window. The 29-year-old is refusing to play for West Ham and has been
training with their Under 23 team. He has been ostracised by some
team-mates and senior players have cut him out of their WhatsApp group, with
the Frenchman also unwelcome at team meetings and bonding dinners. Wantaway
Payet is desperate to join wife Ludivine in the south of France. His former
club Marseille are set to make a third bid, this time of £25million, and are
confident that will get the deal done. West Ham bought Payet from Marseille
for £10.7m 18 months ago and Hammers boss Slaven Bilic insists they will
hold out for the best price.
Bilic said: 'Dimi took his stance clearly. We took our stand very clearly
and it stays the same. We are not going to sell our best players on the
cheap just because someone wants to sign them or even because they want to
go home. We know the market. Like everybody, he has his price. 'The ball is
in Marseille's court. They expressed interest, now they should act.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fans jailed after violent clash with Arsenal supporters at
Islington pub
MARK CHANDLER
The Evening Standard
A horde of fans have been handed prison sentences and banned from football
after a violent clash between Arsenal and West Ham supporters at a north
London pub. The rival supporters confronted each other outside the White
Swan in Upper Street, Islington, after the Hammers won 2-0 last August.
Tables, chairs and bottles were hurled during the melee before police
arrived to break-up the carnage. Terrified families with children were left
trapped inside the pub as the violence raged. Matthew Fallon told the
Standard: "My nan, auntie and her kids were in the back of the Wetherspoon
when fans ran in flipping tables around. "The kids were scared with them
being eight and five because they have never experienced anything like that
before."
A group of men were later charged with violent disorder after being
identified through CCTV footage. James Bevan, 40, of Grantham Road, Manor
Park, Danny Butler, 38 , of Colyton Way, Edmonton, 43-year-old Mark Gittins,
of Basildon, Essex, and Tony Hackett, 57, from Nottingham were all
convicted. West Ham fans Christopher Love, 28, of Benfleet, Essex, and Paul
Ogden, 36, of Church Island, Staines, had previously admitted violent
disorder . On January 13 at Blackfriars Crown Court, they were each given
football banning orders ranging from five to eight years and prison
sentences totalling nine-and-a-half years. Arsenal fans Charlie Barker, 22,
of Redhill Street, King's Cross, Jack Bulley, 23 of Wanstead Park Road,
Ilford, and 43-year-old Lee Bowering, of Percy Road, Romford, all pleaded
guilty.
They were sentenced on January 11 to six months, suspended for 18 months,
and ordered to pay £500 costs. Speaking afterwards, Detective Chief
Inspector John Oldham, from the Met's Public Order Crime team, said: "This
group of men were involved in serious fighting and violent disorder outside
a pub; behaviour that, quite simply, is totally and utterly unacceptable.
"Through our investigations, we have identified a large number of those
responsible and they are now facing the very serious consequences of their
actions. "Those involved in the worst of the disorder are now facing lengthy
custodial sentences and this should serve as a warning to other fans that
this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated."
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West Ham in talks to sign Jose Fonte from Southampton
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 19/01/17 6:17am
SSN
West Ham are in advanced talks to sign defender Jose Fonte from Southampton,
according to Sky sources. The Portugal international, who has 18 months
remaining on his contract at St Mary's, expressed his desire to leave
Southampton earlier this month. Fonte revealed on social media in December
he had not rejected a new deal to stay at Southampton and confirmed he would
not be offered fresh terms by the south-coast club. The 33-year-old, who
helped Portugal win Euro 2016 last summer, has played 286 times for the
Saints since joining from Crystal Palace in 2010. West Ham manager Slaven
Bilic is looking to bolster his defensive ranks this month, with Winston
Reid, James Collins and Angelo Ogbonna currently his only recognised senior
central defenders. The Hammers also remain in negotiations for Brentford
forward Scott Hogan and have had an improved £6m bid for Robert Snodgrass
rejected by Hull City.
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AC Milan pave way for West Ham to sign £13m forward M'Baye Niang
PIETRO LAZZERINI
Evening Standard
AC Milan are willing to let M'Baye Niang leave — paving the way for West Ham
to follow up their interest in the forward. Milan coach Vincenzo Montella
has lost patience with Niang after a disappointing first half of the season.
The 22-year-old has other admirers, with Leicester also interested, but West
Ham will need a replacement for Dimitri Payet should the France
international get his wish to return to Marseille. Niang does not want to
leave Milan but the feeling is that he will go in either this window or the
summer.
The Serie A club will want around £13million and they might be prepared to
let Niang leave on loan, with any deal including an agreement to buy him at
the end of the season. Meanwhile, striker Jonathan Calleri, who is on loan
at West Ham from Deportivo Maldonado, is set to join Las Palmas on loan.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic tells Marseille to cough up the cash if they want to sign
Dimitri Payet from West Ham
KEN DYER
Evening Standard
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has called on Marseille to cough up the cash
if they want to sign Dimitri Payet this month. At last week's pre-match
press conference, Bilic revealed that Dimitri Payet had refused to play for
the Hammers, telling the club he wanted to rejoin Marseille. The France
international has been banished to train with the Under-23 squad, with his
future in limbo. West Ham want £35m, but Marseille's best bid so far has
been £22m. Bilic said: "You want to solve the problems in-house but it was
not possible. I am sad it happened, it's not good for him, for us, for
football in general, but it happens. "We will not sell our best players on
the cheap just because someone wants him. The ball is in their court. They
are the ones who expressed interest. We are very firm, we know the market."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham will only sell Dimitri Payet for 'best possible price', says Slaven
Bilic as Marseille prepare £25m bid
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says Dimitri Payet likely to be sold this
January
Payet is keen to return to Marseille because his wife is ill and his family
live there
The Ligue 1 outfit are preparing a £25m bid but the Hammers want £35m
Bilic also confirms West Ham star Michail Antonio has almost agreed a 'long
deal'
By Adam Shergold for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 12:12, 19 January 2017 | UPDATED: 12:12, 19 January 2017
Slaven Bilic says West Ham will hold out for the best possible price for
Dimitri Payet, insisting their talisman won't be 'sold on the cheap.'
Marseille are expected make another bid, this time of £25million, before the
end of the week but West Ham are holding out for £30million for the wantaway
Frenchman. Payet, who has spent the week training with the under 23 squad,
will once again not be involved in the Hammers' Premier League trip to
Middlesbrough on Saturday as he tried to force through his return to
Marseille. The 29-year-old wants to return to France because his wife is ill
and his family are still living there. Bilic said: 'Dimi took his stance
clearly. We took our stand very clearly and it stays the same, we are not
going to sell our best players on the cheap just because someone wants to
sign them or even because they want to go home. 'I always like to solve the
situations in-house but sometimes it's impossible. You have to draw the line
to protect the team, there's nothing more important than the team. 'I'm sad
the situation has happened. It's not good for anyone, for him, the club,
it's not good for football in general but it's happened, it's not the first
time, it's not the last time. 'We know the market, we know how good or great
he is as a player. Like everybody he has his price.'
Firing a message to Marseille, he added: 'The ball is in their court. They
are the ones who expressed interest. Now they should act.'
As Payet departs, one player Bilic is keen to tie down to a longer-term deal
is Michail Antonio, who has impressed in a number of matches this season.
And the manager hinted that progress has been made in securing his future at
the club. He said: 'Mikey's got the green light to sign a new deal. He's got
a long deal. I leave it to the chairman but I hope it's close. I hope it's
done to be fair.
'I see no problem there, he totally deserves it with his behaviour, his
quality and his work rate, his goals, his assists, his energy. He was very
good last season and has continued this season.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham still have option to sign classy midfield target, could be a coup
By Sport Witness Team - 19th January 2017
In November West Ham were linked with Lyon's Clement Grenier by France's
Canal+, who, in our experience, are in the top bracket for transfer claims.
Grenier is at the stage with Lyon where he needs a fresh start and an exit
in January is very much on the cards. French newspaper L'Equipe touch on the
situation on Thursday and say no transfer has been sorted out yet. West Ham
aren't mentioned, no clubs are, it's all very much waiting for someone to
come in and do the deal. A central midfielder with a natural instinct to go
forward, West Ham could likely sign Grenier on a try-before-you-buy basis,
with a loan mentioned as a possible outcome.
Earlier this month the Lyon player said: "I have a few approaches from
French clubs. A little bit in Germany, Italy and two in England. But nothing
is done yet. We move a little faster with one club than others."
It's an opportunity for Slaven Bilic to look at, with West Ham needing to
strenghten their squad in several areas before the January transfer window
closes. Grenier is 26 years of age, right footed, and has a contract with
Lyon until June 2018.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rules out January move for West Ham's Dimitri
Payet
SAM LONG
Evening Standard
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he is not interested in signing West
Ham's Dimitri Payet this month. Payet is determined to leave the Hammers,
having refused to play in last week's London derby against Crystal Palace.
Marseille have had two bids for the Frenchman knocked back, with West Ham
determined not to let their talisman leave on the cheap. The Ligue 1 club's
latest offer of £20milliion is believed to have fallen some way short of
West Ham's asking price. And Wenger is adamant the Gunners are not actively
trying to sign Payet, despite his admiration for the 29-year-old's talent.
"I don't need Payet. I rate Payet as a player but it's not an area where we
look," Wenger said. "We have many players who can play in this position.
You're interested by the quality of the player but we have no need in this
domain."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A Blessing in Disguise
Written by Rhys Paul.
http://alloutfootball.co.uk/
With the dust settling on the Dimitri Payet situation, West Ham's future
without the Frenchman continues to look much clearer. Saturday's 3-0 victory
over Crystal Palace was the first indication of life post-Payet and it
certainly did not look as bleak as many had suggested. In fact, I hope this
will be the last time I write about Payet, because the team showed that we
are much better without him. In all honesty, all this talk of Payet is
beginning to get a bit boring and, to many of us, he is no longer a part of
West Ham. It has been clear that there has been something going on behind
the scenes at West Ham and if there is one word that can be used to describe
this season it would be unsettled. The extent to which Payet has caused this
disruption will only be known once the player inevitability leaves the club.
As I have previously said, it seems obvious that Marseille have tapped the
player up with players and fans already anticipating his return and the club
itself were quick to try and get their former star on the cheap. West Ham's
official stance on the situation appears to have loosened just as the
supporters has. The anger stemming from Payet's betrayal saw the immediate
response be to hold 'Le Sulk' to his recently signed long-term contract
(currently with four-and-a-half years still on it) and let him rot in the
reserves. Truthfully, the owners and the manager should be admired with
their handling of the situation. Had they conceded that they wanted the
player out of the club, they might have been forced to sell the player for a
lower price than they would have otherwise received.
Saying that, it still has not stopped Marseille from testing the water with
a £19 million and £20 million bid. Rumours of his family moving back to
France and Payet's claims that he only wants to leave for Marseille suggest
that there is only one destination for the player. Officials from the two
clubs have already met to negotiate a transfer fee, but West Ham have made
it abundantly clear that is a case of Marseille meeting their demands as
opposed to the former wanting a quick sale. It really would not be
surprising to see the deal fall through and Payet to be stuck in limbo if
David Sullivan's hard-ball tactics are anything to go by. Plus, the player
realistically only has two or three years left at the top level, so it is
possible that he could disappear just as quickly as he came to relevance at
West Ham.
There has been a lot of talk on social media about the Frenchman
apologising. It is difficult to believe personal reasons have been the sole
driving force behind his behaviour, especially when you consider this is not
the first time he has acted like this. Regardless of what happens next,
there should be one certainty. Dimitri Payet should never play for West Ham
again. Some journalists (who shall remain nameless) have suggested that
everything would be forgotten if Payet was to take to the field again and
others have claimed there is no loyalty left in the game. The former shows a
complete misunderstanding of West Ham supporters, though that is
unsurprising given the fact he compares the situation to Chris Martin's loan
at Fulham. The latter might be true among players, but it is still a trait
many supporters value – perhaps even more so at West Ham with the likes of
Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking having their talents elevated by the fact
they stayed with the club. When all this is said and done, we might actually
be willing to thank Payet. Not for the goals or moments of magic, but for
something far greater. This whole saga has made it all feel like the fans
have their West Ham United back.
For the first time this season, the board, the manager, the players and the
supporters are all united. That was shown in the second half against Palace.
Everyone was playing for each other on the pitch and the atmosphere itself
was arguably the best the London Stadium has produced so far. It felt like
West Ham again. The passion of Feghouli, Carroll and Lanzini's celebrations
embodied that. Payet's (hopefully soon-to-be former) teammates seem relieved
that everything is out in the open. Before, they seemed desperate to get the
ball to Payet and that, whilst occasionally paying off, was detrimental to
the team's overall performance on the pitch. This season a temperamental
Payet has ensured that's been the case for many games this season.
On the pitch, Manuel Lanzini is primed to benefit most from Payet's
departure. The Argentinian has already made a name for himself in East
London, but it is fair to say he has still found himself in Payet's shadow.
At times, it has felt like he has been played out of position to accommodate
the playmaker. Lanzini would thrive if deployed in a free role in midfield
and it might allow him to achieve some consistency to his game. He might
only be 23 years old, but Bilic needs to give the 'Jewel' a licence to roam
freely. It would certainly get the best out of the player and the opposition
would struggle to contain him – as has already been proven against Palace.
Bilic also looks like a changed man on the touchline. Gone was the brooding
and frustrating figure that has marshaled the Hammers bench, he demonstrated
an energy and passion that has rarely been seen since last season. He had
almost become disillusioned after seeing the sudden breakdown of a
relationship with a player he valued so highly. The team responded and that
can only spell the beginning of better things from them and Bilic.
West Ham's willingness to part with last season's 'Hammer of the Year' has
also grown in appeal. Whilst I think the club should be aiming to cash in
for more than £30 million (a measly sum when you consider that Yannick
Bolasie and Moussa Sissoko moved for the same amount in the summer), it
could act as a catalyst for better things. A similar thing happened at
Tottenham with the money from the then-world record transfer of Gareth Bale
being spent across the team. Payet might not go for a sum anywhere near
that, but it would be a considerable amount nonetheless. It should be enough
– when combined with the money that should be available (e.g. what was saved
on Zaza, the £10 million for Tomkins, etc) – to finally bring in the players
the squad has been crying out for since last season.
The pursuit of a natural goalscorer was an issue even before David Gold &
Sullivan took over. Not only should a decent replacement for the want-away
star be signed, a right-back, a centre-back and a marquee January signing
should also be targeted. Robert Snodgrass fits the bill as a replacement
(although it will take more than £3 million), but recent links to Swansea's
Gylfi Sigurdsson would represent both shrewd and smart business – words not
commonly associated with West Ham in recent transfer windows. Sigurdsson
would be an alternative to the club's existing midfielders. He would
represent something entirely different to Payet and that could be refreshing
after all this recent drama.
West Ham might have lost their former star, but they have gained something
far more invaluable: a team.
Adieu, Dimitri
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star Dimitri Payet would reject lure of China wages to return to
Marseille
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard
Dimitri Payet would turn down the lure of huge wages in China to return to
his former club Marseille. It has been reported in France that Chinese
giants Hebei China Fortune would be prepared to offer Payet £520,000 a month
after tax in a bid to bring West Ham's playmaker to the Far East, a dramatic
increase on what he could hope to earn in Ligue 1. Standard Sport
understands that the French club are, as yet, the only suitors to have
formalised their interest in Payet, though their £20million bid fell well
short of West Ham's asking price of £35m, a fee that Chinese Super League
clubs would have no difficulty in matching. The French international likely
still has other suitors in the Far East and turned down an approach from
Shanghai Shenhua a year ago to sign a new contract with the Hammers. However
such is Payet's desperation to return to Marseille he would not consider a
move anywhere other than the Stade Velodrome even if he could earn
significantly more elsewhere. Indeed he is expected to take a pay cut on
his £125,000-a-week salary at the London Stadium if and when he joins
Marseille. Such a move may be a long time coming with West Ham joint
chairman David Sullivan refusing to be pressured into selling a prime asset
on the cheap. Should Marseille fail to reach Payet's asking price then it
remains a possibility that the Hammers player of the season will remain at
the London Stadium beyond the closing of the transfer window. Payet's
family, however, have already left London and the 29-year-old and his wife
Ludivine are looking for a new home and school for their two sons. West Ham
would take an even dimmer view of Payet, who is training with the Under-23
team, if he were to choose any club other than Marseille having made plain
that he is unhappy in London. Though they remain reluctant to lose their
star player and would prefer he apologise to fans and return to the first
team squad, West Ham are not blind to Payet's desire to return to France.
Indeed they have already begun making plans for his departure and today
upped their bid for Hull's Robert Snodgrass to £6million.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham are reaping the rewards of London Stadium move as they join
Europe's financial elite
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard
In 1997 Slaven Bilic quit West Ham for the lure of a "bigger club" when he
signed on at Everton. Would he make the same decision today? A review of the
two clubs' finances might suggest that in 2017, players are more likely to
be trading in Goodison Park for the London Stadium. Ultimately finances can
only provide part of a picture in the great debate as to which team is
"bigger", but what the 2017 Deloitte Football Money League unquestionably
reveals is that when it comes to the business of football West Ham are going
places.
Just four years ago, in their first season back in the Championship and
their second full season under joint chairman David Gold and David Sullivan,
West Ham's revenue was a paltry £43million. By the 2015/16 season – the
final year at the Boleyn Ground – saw West Ham earn £143.8m in revenue to
reach 18th in the standings, their highest position in the 19 years of
Deloitte's ranking. That placed them ahead of the likes of Inter Milan, Lyon
and Fenerbahce. Everton were 23rd, their revenue around £20m lower than the
Hammers. If this term has not seen the Hammers hit the heights of Upton
Park's final months on the pitch there is at least a sense that off-field
progress will ensure that the footballing storms can be more easily
weathered, with greater funds available to Slaven Bilic and, as Dimitri
Payet is discovering, no pressure to cash in on any star names.
Of course West Ham's financial confidence can predominantly be attributed to
the much-maligned London Stadium. Whatever its merits as a football arena,
its 60,000 capacity will help raise the club's matchday revenue
significantly from the £26.9m they took home in the final year at the Boleyn
Ground. In commercial terms Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group
at Deloitte, told Standard Sport that one season in their new ground could
propel West Ham into a battle with the likes of Schalke, Roma and even
Atletico Madrid for a place in Europe's top 15 earners. At £3m a year in
rent the new ground is certainly proving itself to be the "deal of the
century".
It is paying itself back. Standard Sport understands that the latest
agreement reached over shirt sponsorship between the club and Betway in
August was worth in excess of £10m-per-season, significantly more than the
sort of teams West Ham might consider their current rivals – Southampton,
Everton, Stoke – are believed to be earning. More than that, the London
Stadium projects an aura of where West Ham wants to be - even if they may be
going through growing pains to make it there.
As branding expert Peter Knapp told Standard Sport in October: "Having the
London Stadium is iconic. Having a history with such an interesting
backstory – the Thames Ironworks – is great. "Bringing that together around
the capital gives you accelerated brand recognition as being the London
club."
Branding is one step forward but could West Ham hope to fulfil Gold and
Sullivan's ambitions to overhaul Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham to become
London's most powerful club? Deloitte's report warns they have a very long
way to go. Jones says: "For West Ham to go from 18th to top 10 they would
need to be twice as big financially as they are now and even that wouldn't
put them at where Arsenal and Chelsea are. "The top 10 is a long way off for
them, not least because Chelsea and Tottenham will be growing just like they
are and will be in new stadiums of their own soon." Perhaps London supremacy
is beyond the Hammers – for the time being at least – but in their new
stadium they can at least feel assured that they have firmly arrived among
Europe's financial elite. Now the challenge for Bilic and company is to get
them closer to their peers on the pitch.
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