Angelo Ogbonna signs new contract
WHUFC.com
Angelo Ogbonna has signed a new long-term deal with West Ham United which sees him commit his future to the Club until 2022. The centre-back, who signed for the Club in 2015 from Italian champions Juventus, has put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal ahead of the Hammers' second campaign at London Stadium. Ogbonna missed the majority of the second half of the 2016/17 season through injury, but made a winning return to the side for the final game of the term – the 2-1 win at Burnley's Turf Moor. The defender is set to be fit to start pre-season with the rest of the squad and is delighted to have secured his long-term future in east London. "I'm really grateful for this new deal," said the Italian. "Our position last year was quite high and we are looking forward to improving next season.
"My target is that I can't wait to get back playing. I think we have a long season ahead and for me my target is to be better than last season. We finished in 11th position but very close to 8th position and we know we can do better than what we did last year. "I am excited to show my quality on the pitch and the support is always amazing, even when I had my injury. We have got lots of experience in the team at the moment, which is very good."
After a frustrating five months sidelined with injury, Ogbonna will be keen to re-establish himself in Slaven Bilic's side when the squad travel to the likes of Austria, Germany and Iceland this summer. The fans are really important for us. I cannot compare our fans with other fans because we are West Ham, we are more than a club and we are a family. The 29-year-old was a key man for the Hammers during his debut season in English football, making 39 appearances in the year which saw the Irons finish seventh in the Premier League, their highest top flight placing for 14 years. He also provided one of the most memorable moments of the final season at the Boleyn Ground, nodding home his only Hammers goal – an FA Cup fourth round replay winner late in extra-time – against Liverpool. And now with a long-term deal in place, Ogbonna is hoping to provide the West Ham fans with more of those moments to saviour in years to come. "The fans are really important for us," he added. "I cannot compare our fans with other fans because we are West Ham, we are more than a club and we are a family. "For us it's important, even in this new stadium, that we have people behind us. It makes things much better for us. "I'm very excited (for the start of the season). I cannot wait for the Manchester United game, not just me but also our whole team. Everyone wants to show themselves but we have to be focused and prepare for that game by working hard in pre-season."
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Hammers star Aaron Cresswell vows to ignore Austrian 'nightmare'
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell admits he will need to overcome a 'nightmare' feeling when West Ham United return to Austria on pre-season tour in July. The left-back suffered a serious knee injury during the Hammers' visit to the Central European country a year ago, when a crude challenge late in a 3-0 win over German side Karlsruher SC left him writing in pain on the turf. Cresswell was ruled out for three months, but returned to make 29 first-team appearances and make his England debut last season, and he is keen to avoid a similar fall when Slaven Bilic take his squad to the Alpine mountains. "Going back to Austria, I will have a few nightmares on the plane!" he joked. "But you learn to live with things like injuries in football and just get on with it. "To be honest, I have had a good run of it when it comes to injuries, as I'm 26 now and that problem I had last year was the longest I have ever been out of action. "I've never had any major injuries or operations and, touch wood, that will continue next season and beyond."
Cresswell ended last season with strong performances in the victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley, leading to a call-up for England's June fixtures with Scotland and France. Having made his debut against Spain in November, the No3 doubled his cap tally when he appeared in the 3-2 friendly defeat at the Stade de France. After a well-earned holiday, the defender will return for pre-season training on 10 July before jetting out to Austria for a fitness-building training camp.
"Pre-season is part and parcel of football and I'm looking forward to getting back and putting in the hard work to give myself a platform for the new Premier League season," confirmed Cresswell, who has made 101 top-flight appearances over his three seasons in Claret and Blue. "My summer has been a bit shorter than usual, but when you are representing your country you can't complain, can you! "I've managed to get away with my family to Dubai and get some sun on my back and recharge the batteries, too, so it's certainly not all doom and gloom!"
West Ham travel to Austria for a training camp before heading to Germany to face Werder Bremen twice in the Betway Cup on 28 and 29 July before tackling Altona 93 in Hamburg on 1 August. The Hammers will then complete their pre-season schedule by tackling Manchester City in The Super Match at the Laugardalsvollur national stadium in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Friday 4 August.
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Hammers reject Van Persie offer
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 30th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have been offered the opportunity to sign former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie. The 33-year-old left England in 2015 in order to join Super Lig side Fenerbahce in Turkey, but is keen on a return to the UK after two years away. According to reports, West Ham were one of several clubs offered the opportunity to sign the former Dutch international - an option that was rejected by the club, who are still hoping to lure either Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho or Arsenal's Olivier Giroud to the Olympic Stadium this summer.
* On Giroud, and former French Under 21 manager Rene Girard has told L'Equipe that the Arsenal striker should snub a move to West Ham on order to return to France. "It is clear that his return would be good for Ligue 1," said Girard. "He is a top player, but it in terms of his image it might be a bit complicated for him."
* In other transfer news, Hammers target Yann Karamoh is Premier League-bound after current club Caen reluctantly agreed to cash in on the 18-year-old striker.
News of his availability has however alerted a string of clubs, with the likes of Everton, Newcastle and Southampton having also registered their interest in singing the French Under 21 international, who is entering the final year of his contract with SMC.
* Two forwards heavily-linked with a move to the Olympic Stadium this summer are on the verge of sealing moves. Monaco's Kylian Mbappe has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent days, whilst Stoke City's 19-year-old Belgian international Julien Ngoy is set to replace him at Monaco. Both players have been on West Ham's radar this summer.
* West Ham are one of a number of clubs monitoring the situation regarding Burnley forward Andre Gray. Linked in recent days with a move to Tottenham, 23-year-old Gray has also been watched by Everton and Leicester. He has recently refused to sign a contract extension with Burnley and has just 12 months remaining on his existing deal.
* St Etienne defender Kevin Malcuit is on the verge of leaving his current club - despite his destination remaining unknown. West Ham had been heavily linked with the €7million-rated defender prior to signing Pablo Zabaleta, but retain an interest nonetheless according to Talksport. Newcastle United and Ligue 1 side Lille remain the favourites to complete the deal, however.
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Arsenal must consider selling Olivier Giroud to West Ham, says former Gunner Nigel Winterburn
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard
Arsenal should consider selling Olivier Giroud to West Ham so as to make their frontline more mobile, according to Gunners great Nigel Winterburn. West Ham are eager to recruit Giroud, who carries a price tag of around £20million, this summer and the Frenchman could be allowed to leave Arsenal if the Gunners can find a replacement. Their two leading targets for a central striking role are French duo Alexandre Lacazette and Kylian Mbappe – both of whom are yet to displace the Gunners striker in Didier Deschamps' national side – and though progress has been slow on both it appears unlikely Giroud will start the season as Arsenal's first-choice striker. However Arsene Wenger has consistently spoken of his faith in Giroud – who in December 2015 he labelled one of the best in Europe – and Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas claimed Arsenal wanted to keep the oft-maligned striker. But Winterburn, who played for both Arsenal and West Ham, believes the London Stadium may be a better fit for Giroud than the Emirates bench. "I think Arsenal have stated that they would like to keep Giroud, but they might need to review the situation depending what happens in the summer," Winterburn told beIN Sports. "He's probably looking at his age and thinking 'I need to be playing and I want to make sure that I'm part of the French squad'. "I think he's done a very good job and I just wonder whether Arsenal want a little bit more mobility going forward. He found himself on the bench at the end of the season and he obviously wouldn't want that to happen. "It's again whether the player feels that he is going to play enough games or is it time to make the break? I think there would be a lot more offers from abroad if he did move from Arsenal. "He might also be settled in London and if that is the case, West Ham have a good link with Arsenal and if he wanted to stay in London that could be a good opportunity for West Ham to get a very good striker. "I could see it happening but you have to think whether the player believes he is capable of playing for a top-six club and West Ham are not a top-six club. It'll be a case of whether West Ham can convince the player to join them."
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West Ham's Ashley Fletcher looking to Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane for inspiration ahead of new season
GEORGE ELEK
Evening Standard
Ashley Fletcher has opened up on the difficulties of trying to break into the West Ham first-team as a young player, but says he looks to compatriots Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane for inspiration. The 21-year old was signed by the Hammers from Manchester United last summer on the back of a successful loan spell at Barnsley, but scored just one goal in his opening campaign in the EFL Cup, against his former team. West Ham have made no secret of their desire to bring in at least one goal scorer, but Fletcher is philosophical about his chances next season. "It was the same last year, as everyone was saying we need a £20m striker but they are hard to come by," He told the club site, "It's not easy to go out and find a player who can score goals regularly in the Premier League, especially those who come in from abroad. "As a young player making my way through, if I am given an opportunity and a run in the team, I think that can only benefit me."
Fletcher is a couple of years older than his former team-mate Rashford, but is full of praise for what he has achieved, "I look at Marcus Rashford, for example, who has taken his chance and stayed in the team and he's probably now one of the best strikers in England. The same can be said for Harry Kane as well. "There aren't many young English strikers playing in the Premier League, so hopefully this season I can get even more game-time, as my ambitions are to play and do well for this massive Club "Last season was a learning year for me, so I've been away and worked on getting fitter and stronger over the summer as I want to come back firing in pre-season."
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West Ham in talks to sign FC Koln striker Anthony Modeste
By Kaveh Solhekol, Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 30/06/17 11:08pm
SSN
West Ham are in talks to sign Anthony Modeste from Cologne, according to Sky sources. The 29-year-old Frenchman scored 25 goals in 32 appearances in the Bundesliga last season and the Hammers are prepared to pay £20m for him. Sky Sports News HQ understands that West Ham turned down the chance to sign Modeste for £6m last summer after he scored 15 goals in his first season for Koln, who now want £30m. He was set to join Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian for that amount this month but the move collapsed on Wednesday. Sky sources understand West Ham have also contacted Villarreal about signing striker Cedric Bakambu, who is also of interest to Newcastle United. DR Congo international Bakambu scored 11 goals in all competitions for Villarreal last season and has 34 in 81 appearances since joining the club in 2015 from Bursaspor. Modeste is a former France U21 international but has never earned a senior cap for France.
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WEST HAM IN TALKS TO SIGN £30M-RATED MODESTE
DANIEL EMERY
ReadWestHam
Solhekol claims that West Ham are in negotiations to bring the striker to England this summer but Cologne have set their asking price at £30m. This is – incredibly – after West Ham turned down the opportunity to sign him for £6m at the start of last season. Modeste has since gone on to net 25 Bundesliga goals in 32 appearances for Cologne – 27 in all competitions. The French striker has netted 45 times over the last two seasons and any deal to bring him to West Ham would be a club-record deal. Modeste spent half a season with Blackburn in the Premier League, scoring no goals in nine appearances.
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Battle of the West Ham left backs - Masuaku ahead of Cresswell as number one choice
Our Hammers writer asked you, the fans, who you want as your left back and hundreds of you responded
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
14:28, 30 JUN 2017
It's sure to be a dilemma facing Slaven Bilic this coming season - who starts the campaign as West Ham's first choice left back? The form of Arthur Masuaku last season, especially towards the end of the campaign, and Aaron Cresswell's lack of form throughout the season raised the question much earlier than the final week of June 2017. Masuaku was brought in from Olympiacos for around £6m last summer as a replacement for Cresswell, who was then out injured for the first three months of the season having picked up a knee injury in pre-season. Bar one catastrophic performances, Masuaku did absolutely nothing wrong but his season was blighted by injury and Cresswell returned from his in October, setting up the winner for Manuel Lanzini at Crystal Palace on a rain-lashed evening at Selhurst Park last October. Cresswell then picked up a hamstring injury in the final throngs of the season and Masuaku started four games in a row at left back and was sensational before he then picked up another knock. But, with both expected to be fully fit and raring to go for the start of the season, our Hammers writer Sam Inkersole posted on his Twitter feed a vote for who gets the nod for Man United away on opening day?
It was close, but Frenchman Masuaku was your choice for the left back spot, with 59% of the vote, with Cresswell not far behind with 41%. Some of your responses are below:
Sam Inkersole ✔ @Sam_InkersoleTM
Away from transfer news, who should be the #WHUFC first-choice left back next season? Vote below.
Follow
iRONS UNITED @irons_united
@Sam_InkersoleTM Always be a Creswell fan, and hope he finds form next year but after last seasons displays it will have to be King Arthur
10:47 AM - 30 Jun 2017
Follow
Dave RedgewellOS2016 @redgewd
@Sam_InkersoleTM Cresswell back 4 Masuaku back 5, nice to have 2 good choices.
11:30 AM - 30 Jun 2017
1 1 Retweet likes
The Northern Hammer @NorthernHammer_
@Sam_InkersoleTM Could always try out Mas on the wing above Cress as well, left side vacant- either way great to see young competition on the squad!
11:47 AM - 30 Jun 2017
Retweets 1 1 like
Greg richardson @rakis14
@Sam_InkersoleTM Cresswell massively missed Payet last season. Opp doubled up on Dimi = more space for Cresswell to get forward. Arthur more natural attacker
11:45 AM - 30 Jun 2017
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West Ham named as one of the shock favourites to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma
By James Jones - Jun 30, 2017 0
Online bookmakers Unibet have named West Ham as one of the shock favourites to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to OddsChecker.
The 18-year-old Italy international has recently alerted a number of Europe's elite clubs after refusing to sign an improved deal at AC Milan, a decision that came under increased criticism from the club's fans. As expected, the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United have been consistently linked with a move for the world class teenager this summer but West Ham are the surprise contenders for his signature with Unibet. It is worth noting that Unibet are the only bookies offering odds for West Ham to be Donnarumma's club after the summer transfer window closes at a very short 4/1, while they have Man United as the favourites at odds of 4/9. With question marks over the future of Darren Randolph and many believing the club needs to recruit an improvement on Adrian in the near future, it's no surprise that West Ham are being linked with a move for a goalkeeper, but this particular stopper may be a little out of our price range. Donnarumma is valued at £21.25m by transfermarkt.com.
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Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United interested in Javier Hernandez
HITC
Shane Callaghan
West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the striker it seems. According to Bild, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are among those to harbour a "great interest" in signing Javier Hernandez this summer. The Bayer Leverkusen hitman is out of contract with the Bundesliga side next summer and they could well listen to offers for the 29-year-old in the coming months. And German outlet Bild claim that the former Manchester United striker could be available for around £13 million. The report goes on claim that Tottenham and West Ham are among those interested in the Mexico international, who scored once in the Confederations Cup for his country this summer. Hernandez netted 11 goals in 20 Bundesliga starts last season, and with his Premier League experience, he might just be a smart addition for Spurs or West Ham. It is arguably more important that Hammers boss Slaven Bilic signs up a striker this summer, given that Harry Kane, who won the Premier League's Golden Boot two years in a row, is at Tottenham and will not be displaced in the first XI by Hernandez. But the Lilywhites will need a back-up option after Vincent Janssen managed two goals from open play in 38 appearances last term. West Ham boss Bilic is keen on signing £20 million Olivier Giroud from Arsenal, according to The Telegraph, but perhaps Hernandez is a plan-b option in the event that the Irons cannot prise him from North London, or if he goes to France.
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Liverpool's Lazar Markovic would be ideal for West Ham
HITC
Antony Martin
West Ham United should consider a move for the Liverpool star this summer. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic will be looking to add some real quality to his attacking options this summer, as he looks to build a squad capable of making a sustained push for the Europa League spots this season. Since Dimitri Payet's acrimonious exit from the club in January, West Ham have lacked any kind of creative edge in the final third, and Robert Snodgrass - the Frenchman's supposed replacement, has been well off the pace. The Croatian absolutely must inject some pace into his side in forward areas, and with this in mind, the east Londoners should target Reds winger Lazar Markovic, who has been made available for just £12 million, according to the Mirror. The 23-year-old moved to Anfield in 2014 from Benfica, for a fee believed to be in the region of £20 million, but failed to establish himself with Liverpool. He spent two separate seasons away from Merseyside last term with Sporting Lisbon and Hull City respectively, where he displayed glimpses of his true ability. The Serbian possesses pace in abundance, and is most effective when deployed as an orthodox winger, although he can play anywhere along the front-line - even as an auxiliary centre-forward.
Markovic's technical ability is second-to-none, and he possesses an exceptional delivery, which could prove to be a great asset to the Hammers, what with the height they possess in their side. The Liverpool man would add a much needed level of guile in the final third for West Ham, and the fact that he can play in a whole multitude of positions will surely appeal to Bilic. The Croatian should make a move for the highly-talented 23-year-old as a matter of priority, and for just £12 million, it could turn out to be a real coup for the east London outfit.
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West Ham identify José Izquierdo as Onyekuru alternative
By Adam Leatherbarrow - Jun 30, 2017 0
WestHamWorld.co.uk
West Ham's are preparing a move for Colombian attacker José Izquierdo, according to a source close to WestHamWorld.co.uk. José Izquierdo currently plays for Club Brugge in the Jupiler Pro League in Belgium and in 34 senior appearances, where he has racked up over 2,500 minutes, he has scored 16 goals. The attacker netted in Club Brugge's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Leicester City in November. Izquierdo had recently been called up to the Colombian national squad for fixtures against Spain and Cameroon, scoring in a 4-0 win over the latter. The 24-year-old also won the Belgian Cup for his club in a 2-1 win against Standard Liege where he scored the equaliser and put in a Man of the Match performance. He is a notable presence on the pitch by using his electrifying pace and skill to come in wide and attack through the centre.
Slaven Bilic has seen footage of José Izquierdo and is keen to bring his speed to east London in order to improve his attacking width on the left hand side. José Izquierdo's contract expires in 2019 and has a valuation of around £10m. Our source has told us a £12.5m deal is on the cards. Bilic is also keen on Izquierdo's strength and at 5ft 7" his low centre of gravity of getting past players has been key to his success. He is the quality player Bilic has been looking for for some time now. We have been told that Izquierdo has been noticed by the same scout who initially alerted Bilic to Henry Onyekuru. Tony Henry's team had decided to move for Onyekuru first due to his age and cheaper price-tag but now that he is signing for Everton, the club will instead move for Izquierdo as a worthwhile alternative.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, June 30
Daily WHUFC News - 30th June 2017
The amazing story of West Ham United's first home ground
WHUFC.com
Historian John Powles, author of 'Iron in the Blood: Thames Ironworks FC, the Club That Became West Ham United', reflects on the earliest days of the Club at Hermit Road in Canning Town...
In the summer of 1895, Managing Director of Thames Ironworks & Shipbuilding Company Arnold Hills took over the lease of the ground that Old Castle Swifts had vacated at the northern end of Hermit Road, which enabled his newly-formed football club at a ready-made arena.
When manager Syd King wrote a history of the club in 1905 (short though it obviously was) he described the venue as a 'barren waste' and a 'cinder heap'.
Bearing in mind that he joined Thames Ironworks FC in 1899 for its last season under that name and was not there at the time, he was possibly led to the misapprehension that the club was obliged to clear a scrub-like tip before a ball could be kicked.
Nothing could be further from the truth as the Old St.Luke's club had been residents since 1892, before amalgamating with Castle Swifts for the 1894/95 season.
Thames Ironworks FCWhen the ground became available due to the collapse of Old Castle Swifts, Hills was quick to acquire it.
The whole ground was intended to be used for a variety of sports, one of which included the cycling club, which had been inaugurated in June 1894, but had no cycle track for competitive use. A track of 360 yards circumference and six yards two inches wide was laid out by members in June 1895.
The entire length bordering the football pitch was a cinder track, and later on people probably had the mistaken impression that the pitch itself was cinder-based.
Some histories have said that the ground was surrounded by a moat, but this is an exaggeration. On the far edges of the outside area was a system of sluices, which were constructed to drain away excess water as the area was very marshy and formerly known to flood.
Before the Ironworks' first fixture, foreman Dave Taylor had affiliated the club to the FA and had recruited players before handing over to Mr. A.T. Harsent, who became Secretary.
Initially the Hermit Road ground was screened by canvas sheeting to hide the game from non-paying spectators, but later this became stable fencing.
Considering the club was of amateur status and basically part of a company sports section, the committee had an ambitious strategy by entering the team into the FA Cup.
With Hills a generous benefactor, and having players in the shipyard who already possessed experience and ability, why not dive in at the deep end?
As it turned out, a 0-5 defeat at Chatham was perhaps a step too far, but enthusiasm was not dampened and victories were obtained against local sides that led the committee to an idea which was pretty much a pioneering one at the time.
Floodlit football had been tried out at three grounds only—Blackburn, Darwen and Bramall Lane, Sheffield, all in 1878 – but this was still revolutionary, because those three clubs would become League clubs in the competition's earliest days, whereas Thames Ironworks FC was in its first season.
The ten lights were suspended on poles, giving 2,000 candle power for each light, driven by a generator. There were some initial problems in the first two games, with lights going out at various times, and the ball having to be dipped in whitewash which resulted in sarcastic press comments, but the committee ensured seven fixtures were completed without too many hitches, and two First Division sides in Woolwich Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion were among the opponents.
There were no more serious attempts at floodlit football in this country until 1930 and our club's forbearers have not been given the credit historically, that they fully deserve.
The enterprise that the infant club from the East End shipyard had shown, bode well for the future of the club.
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Hammers Heritage: Happy birthday Thames Ironworks FC!
WHUFC.com
Thames Ironworks FC was founded on 29 June 1895, so the Club which served as the precursor to West Ham United is celebrating its 122nd birthday!
The original football club was the brainchild of Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company foreman Dave Taylor and was put into practice by managing director and keen amateur sportsman Arnold Hills.
Over its five-season existence, Thames Ironworks FC won the West Ham Charity Cup, London League and Southern League Division Two, while playing at three different stadia in the local area - Hermit Road, Browning Road and the Memorial Grounds.
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West Ham striker Ashley Fletcher eyes Austria repeat
WHUFC.com
Ashley Fletcher is hoping history will repeat itself when West Ham United travel to Austria in July. The young centre forward arrived from Manchester United a year ago and immediately made his mark, scoring in pre-season fixtures with FC Slovacko and Karlsruher SC in the Central European country. While speculation continues to grow over the possibility of the Hammers bringing in a big-money forward this summer, Fletcher himself is hoping to impress when Slaven Bilic's squad return to the Alpine nation this summer. "It was the same last year, as everyone was saying we need a £20m striker but they are hard to come by," said Fletcher, who netted his first competitive goal for West Ham in an EFL Cup tie at his former club in November. "It's not easy to go out and find a player who can score goals regularly in the Premier League, especially those who come in from abroad. "As a young player making my way through, if I am given an opportunity and a run in the team, I think that can only benefit me."
Fletcher cited the examples of his long-time Manchester United colleague Marcus Rashford and Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, both of whom are young English strikers who have established themselves in the Premier League as two to attempt to emulate. "I look at Marcus Rashford, for example, who has taken his chance and stayed in the team and he's probably now one of the best strikers in England," the 21-year-old observed. "The same can be said for Harry Kane as well. "There aren't many young English strikers playing in the Premier League, so hopefully this season I can get even more game-time, as my ambitions are to play and do well for this massive Club. "Last season was a learning year for me, so I've been away and worked on getting fitter and stronger over the summer as I want to come back firing in pre-season."
Fletcher added that the support of the Claret and Blue Army would continue to aid him in his quest to become a first-team regular. The attitude and talent shown by the No24 last season won recognition from West Ham fans, and he is eager to repay them by hitting the back of the net in the future. "As a young English player, having the fans behind you gives you a massive boost," he confirmed. "I've just got to keep proving to the manager that I deserve minutes and when I get on the pitch, I need to show what I can do and show the fans why I should be playing. "They've been fantastic since I got to the Club, they've really got behind me and I can only thank them for supporting me."
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SHOULD WE GET A DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 29 JUNE 2017 AT 8:47PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @whusam_
Before I write this article I'd like to thank Ex and the West Ham Way for giving me the chance to do so. This week Ex has left twitter and he does a lot for the fans of WH like proving transfer news, the radio show and organising events. He doesn't deserve the abuse he gets. Hopefully we will see him back on twitter soon.
This has been a very interesting week as a West Ham fan if I'm honest, we have been hearing on social media that we have a decent sized transfer budget and this along with our known revenue from sales of Valencia (potentially), Nordveit, TV rights, low stadium costs should mean that we are able to spend freely and compete with the like of Everton this summer.
A major issue for the club so far is that all of our targets rely on other clubs getting replacements in (Giroud/Batushayi) and that will be a waiting game, but missing out on a top youngster in Onyekuru and struggling to negotiate with City for Iheanacho has fans frustrated.
I've seen a lot of talk from fans about bringing in a Director of Football which I think is a great idea. We need someone who can bridge the gap between the football side of the club and the business side of the club. The trouble we have is that we are struggling to attract players to come to West Ham, the owners thought that the stadium would be a massive pull factor in transfers when in actual fact it isn't.
A Director of Football would need to be someone that knows the game and the club very well. Maybe an Ex player or even a Manager who wants more of an oversight role. We need this person who will run the club for the owners, work closely with Bilic and know their stuff when it comes to transfers and talent on the pitch, because at the end of the day, despite their experience at Birmingham, the owner's businessmen and they will always think like businessmen.
A Director of Football would need to be given a set budget from the owners at the start of the window, then he works with Bilic and they together sign who they want to and who will be best for the team, not someone who the owners see getting their money's worth on.
The owners have shot themselves in the foot over the last few years with promising big money signings last year and not delivering and struggling again this year in the transfer market. I know it's still early days yet and the window doesn't close until September but everyone has last summer in the back of their minds, and with Everton spending freely and and being so successful, it is a bit concerning.
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Gold: you'll win nothing with kids
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
David Gold's insistence that young players will find it harder than ever to break into Premier League teams has not been received particularly well by Hammers fans. The club's co-chairman told Talksport that it was now "virtually impossible" for an Academy player to break through to the first team - adding that it would be "very rare" for a teenager to do so. Naturally that caused a degree of consternation from many Hammers fans, some of whom took to the KUMB Forum in order to express their frustration with the octogenarian's comments. "Herein lies the main reason why my interest in us has dwindled dramatically," wrote steveyrockstar. "I simply don't enjoy seeing us become just another squad of randomly assembled overseas stars. "We're barely clasping onto an identity. It's very sad. Part of me thinks DG is simply stating the truth, the other part of me is like 'well do something about it!'"
Meanwhile Hamburg Hammer felt that Gold's comments - added to opinions he shared recently regarding the club's once world-famous Academy - suggested that the Board may be trying to to pull away from investing in it, something he warned against. "If they even tried to lay their hands on the Academy, they should get ready for some serious backlash from the supporters," he wrote. "Our kids just got promoted. It takes time, patience and money to nurture talent. "Spurs, Everton and Southampton are all producing stars regularly and Bournemouth, Arsenal, Liverpool and Leicester all field young British players regularly."
However Gsbgsb felt that Gold made a valid point - but questioned whether enough was being done to keep the Academy at the top of the pile. "This is not a West Ham or West Ham board problem," he said. "It is the problem of money in the modern game and the implications of relegation. "The point DG makes about the number of foreign players in the game is correct, it limits the opportunity of younger players, being good is no longer enough, exceptional is required. Whether the product is broken is a different debate, it is the product we have now."
Speaking to Talksport earlier today, Gold had said: "There is nothing more pleasurable, for a fan, owner or manager, to have a young Academy player breaking through. However, I think we've got to be realistic and say that is now virtually impossible. "It's just not going to happen on a regular basis. It's different now. We have to face the fact that 17, 18 and 19-year-old young men are not going to get into the Premier League first-team. That would be very, very rare. "From a financial point of view we'd like them to come through earlier, but we've got to face up to facts. "The Academy is in place and that's not going to change, what will change is that instead of teenagers breaking into the first team they are going to have to go out on loan - and they may do that for three of four years."
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Liverpool fan secures OS season ticket
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
A Liverpool supporter is looking forward to watching regular Premier League football next season - at the Olympic Stadium. Rather than making the 250-mile pilgrimage to Anfield 18 times every season, Liverpool fan Mo Mayet will instead be visiting the home of West Ham on a regular basis after purchasing a season ticket earlier today. And that will no doubt come as a major surprise to many West Ham fans who have been unable to purchase a season ticket for the forthcoming season - especially those who have previously been told they were on the club's waiting list.
"Season ticket purchased for #westham next season", wrote Mr Mayet, a recruitment agent based in London on his twitter timeline this afternoon. "Look forward to watching live #PremierLeague #football every 2 weeks or so."
Last season there were a number of incidents in the stadium as a result of the club selling tickets to non-West Ham fans in areas of the ground reserved for home supporters. Meanwhile, a number of fans who have been on the club's waiting list since 2015 remain ticketless.
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Paolo Di Canio to return to east London as latest Italian 'Star Sixes' signing
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United legend Paolo Di Canio is heading back to east London as he joins a star-studded Italy squad to take part in the inaugural Star Sixes tournament at The O2 between 13-16 July. The Hammers hero is returning to a place where he was adored by Irons supporters, and admired by football fans in general, for his entertaining – and sometimes controversial – style. Di Canio scored some spectacular goals just a corner-kick away from The O2, when West Ham played down the road at the Boleyn Ground, and he is aiming to reproduce that form as Italy try to lift the first Star Sixes trophy.
Italy's opening fixture at the six-a-side World Cup for legends is a glamorous clash with Brazil (13 July), whose side include Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo and Juninho.
But Italy are led by the great Alessandro Del Piero, and with Fabrizio Ravanelli alongside Di Canio, they have also confirmed Champions League winners Angelo Di Livio and Massimo Oddo, World Cup winner Marco Amelia, Stefano Fiore and Marco Delvecchio in their line-up.
After their Brazil encounter, Italy face a Nigeria squad led by Jay-Jay Okocha, and the Super Eagles have also just added new faces to their exciting team. Former Everton defender Joseph Yobo, Inter Milan icon Taribo West and Monaco striker Victor Ikpeba will be in their squad for the four-day tournament. West is best remembered for his flamboyant hairstyles and rampaging style when he played for Derby County, while Yobo, who won 101 caps, was a firm favourite with both the Goodison faithful and Nigeria fans. England, meanwhile, have also bolstered their ranks with former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie – the ninth addition to skipper Steven Gerrard's squad.
Hendrie joins Phil Neville, Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Danny Murphy Paul Merson and ex-Hammers David James and Rio Ferdinand in the Three Lions set-up.
Star Sixes promises spectacular action at London's O2 Arena, with other world-class stars including Robert Pires of France, Germany's Michael Ballack, Spain's Carles Puyol and Portugal's Deco among a galaxy of stars on show.
Tickets for the inaugural Star Sixes, starting at £30 adults and £10 U16s, are on sale at www.starsixes.com.
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Newcastle, West Ham want Tottenham-linked Suso
HITC
Shane Callaghan
Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United are also interested in signing a reported Tottenham Hotspur target. International Business Times has reported that Newcastle United, Everton and West Ham United are also interested in signing AC Milan winger Suso. It was reported by Marca last weekend that Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing the 23-year-old, whom had been linked to Spurs earlier in the year. This week, The Mirror claimed that Tottenham's efforts of signing him had been boosted by suggestions that Milan would let him join the North Londoners, if it was a choice between them and Italian rivals Roma or Napoli.
That being said, competition for his signature might be hotting up as more Premier League clubs join the queue for the ex-Liverpool attacker. According to The International Business Times, Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United have also "expressed an interest" in the young Spaniard, who would favour a move to Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham according to the report. Suso's stock has risen considerably since leaving Liverpool for Milan in 2015, netting 13 goals over the past two seasons for the Rossoneri - and nine assists last season. West Ham have been mostly linked with strikers this summer and while Newcastle are reported to be in the market for a winger, it remains to be seen who manager Rafael Benitez signs. The Magpies boss has endured a frustrating summer thus far after watching a number of his reported transfer targets slip through his fingers, but if the report from the IBTimes is to be believed then Suso fancies the Lilywhites over Newcastle, West Ham or Everton.
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David Gold says West Ham will get 'the very best strikers we can afford' as club targets Giroud and Iheanacho
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard
West Ham joint-chairman David Gold has vowed to buy "the very best [strikers] we can afford" as the club plot an overhaul of their frontline this summer. The Hammers are targeting ambitious swoops for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud and Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho, for whom they submitted a £20million bid last month. They were however beaten to the punch for Nigerian youngster Henry Onyekuru, who announced yesterday that he was set to join Everton. However the 20-year-old was not West Ham's top priority and Gold is willing to spend big if it means he can furnish Slaven Bilic with strikers such as Giroud and Iheanacho that have a track record in the Premier League. "We are interested in all good players but we have to face the facts here – we have got good midfielders," Gold told talkSPORT when asked about the Hammers' reported interest in Giroud's Arsenal team-mate Jack Wilshere. "We have got a good defence, we have got good midfielders, we have got good wingers. We need strikers and that is the key to everything for this season so we are focused first and foremost on bringing in two strikers. "It's clear to most fans that we are desperate for centre-forwards," Gold continued.
Andy Carroll is injury-prone as we know, we have had an injury problem with [Diafra] Sakho and we have just got to bring in centre-forwards. We have got to find the money. "Without strikers, you struggle in the Premier League. You struggle in any division because strikers are your key players. "You have to spend your money wisely but it must be on strikers, particularly strikers that have had experience with Premier League football - the very best we can afford."
West Ham strikers combined to score just nine goals in all competitions last season, seven of which came from Carroll across 22 games in another injury-plagued campaign. Italian international Simone Zaza had been expected to be the marquee signing West Ham fans had been promised ahead of the 2016-17 season but was shunted off to Valencia in January so the club did not have to pay £20m to buy him from Juventus. Zaza was not the only arrival from that summer to struggle to establish themselves in the Premier League – Havard Nordtveit has already been sent back to the Bundesliga and Alvaro Arbeloa has retired – and West Ham are keen to recruit players with greater experience in England. That has already been proven through the arrival of Pablo Zabaleta from Manchester City on a free transfer, the only business West Ham have so far conducted this summer.
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West Ham ready to offload Robert Snodgrass - just six months after £10million move from Hull
The Hammers only bought Snodgrass in January but after just eight league starts he could be on his way out
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
22:30, 28 JUN 2017
West Ham are ready to offload Robert Snodgrass - just six months after signing him for £10m. Scotland midfielder Snodgrass, 29, struggled to make a big impact at West Ham after arriving from Hull in January. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is now ready to cut his losses and is also set to have a mini shake-up to try and clear the decks to bring in new signings. They are ready to listen to offers for Algeria international Sofiane Feghouli who struggled to make an impact after arriving on a free transfer last summer. West Ham are keen to offload Enner Valencia despite turning down an offer from Mexican side Tigres. Ecuador forward Valencia, 27, spent last season on loan at Everton after originally joining West Ham from Mexican side Pachuca for £12.5m in 2014. But Snodgrass's potential departure is the one that catches the eye but Bilic often started with him on the bench rather than the starting line-up. They will look to get their money back on him but realistically could have to take a financial hit. Snodgrass signed a three and a half year contract. West Ham beat off competition from Middlesbrough and Burnley in January but he struggled to settle in London. Now newly-promoted Brighton could come in for Snodgrass and it remains to be seen if Burnley come back. West Ham have some ambitious targets with Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud the big-name on their summer shopping list and Bilic is keen to improve their transfer dealings.
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Chelsea's Nathan Ake to make £20m Bournemouth move today snubbing Newcastle and West Ham - report
The Blues defender is set to return to the south coast permanently
Football London
BYADAM JONES
06:00, 29 JUN 2017
Chelsea defender Nathan Ake is repotedly set to return to the south coast on a permanent basis with Bournemouth having agreed a £20m deal. The 22-year-old spent part of last campaign on loan with the Cherries and was in impressive form under Eddie Howe until he was recalled to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window. The defender only made two Premier League appearances for the Blues last season compared to 10 whilst on loan at Bournemouth - with the south coast side trying and failing to keep the Dutch international permanently last January. Now, according to reports, the Cherries have agreed a £20 million deal with Chelsea - with Goal understanding that Southampton, Newcastle and West Ham United were all interested. However, the report suggests that Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe played a big part in Ake's decision to return. Ake will become the second Chelsea player to move to the Cherries this window if the deal goes through, with Asmir Begovic also making the move for £12 million earlier in the window.
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Report names three players put up for sale by West Ham United, as Slaven Bilic plans shake-up
HITC
John Verrall
@JohnVerrall
West Ham United are expected to offload some of their fringe players in the coming weeks. According to the Daily Mirror, West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic is planning a mini shake-up at the London Stadium. West Ham suffered a disappointing campaign last time around, where they failed to live up to expectations.
And Bilic has decided that he needs to offload some of the players who fell short of the standards required. Havard Nortdveit has already left West Ham this summer, but more players have been put up for sale. Robert Snodgrass is one name at West Ham, who is available. The Scottish winger only joined West Ham in January but could move on - with Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnely said to be interested by the Mirror. Sofiane Feghouli is another player who West Ham would like to get off their books this summer. The Hammers also want to get rid of Enner Valencia, as Bilic looks to help fund moves for some of his planned additions.
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Arsenal & West Ham receive transfer boost as French giants pull out race for £17.6m ace who has been involved in 69 goals since leaving London
By Emre Sarigul - June 29, 20170
Turkish football.com
Arsenal & West Ham receive transfer boost as French giants pull out race for £17.6m ace Oguzhan Ozyakup Marseille have pulled out of the race for Oguzhan Ozyakup according to reports in France. La Provence report that the Ligue 1 outfit are not interested in Ozyakup and will not be pursuing him this window. Per the source, the 24-year-old does not play a position that Marseille are trying to strengthen. The latest developments follow Fotomac claiming the French giants were ready to offer £8.8 million [€10m]. News that Marseille are not in the running will serve as a transfer boost to Arsenal and West Ham. The report claims that the Hammers are interested in the Turkish international. This is not the first time Slaven Bilic has been linked with a move for the midfielder he coached for two seasons during his time in charge of Besiktas. Turkish-Football report that Arsenal have been tracking their former academy player for months. Arsenal scout Jurgen Kost revealed over the 2016-17 season that a summer move could be on the cards. Kost was quoted by Turkish-Football as saying: "Ozyakup is a player we have been closely tracking and when we do our next search for players in his position there is a possibility he return to Arsenal."
Besiktas value their star man as being worth £17.6 million [€20m] and are reluctant to accept offers below their asking price. Ozyakup has just 12 months remaining on his contract and has yet to sign an extension. The 24-year-old has been directly involved in 69 goals since leaving Arsenal for Besiktas in 2012.
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David Gold interview full transcript: Every word on West Ham academy, Wilshere and other signings
West Ham news includes David Gold's interview on talkSPORT about Reece Oxford, transfer targets and other key topics
Football London
BYROB GUEST
12:30, 29 JUN 2017UPDATED12:34, 29 JUN 2017
AB: There's just no time to blood youngsters, managers are under so much pressure and fans expect so much, especially in the Premier League.
DG: "I think that's true. I think the issue is the changing landscape. I think a good analogy is to look at the FA Cup in 1980 when West Ham were playing Arsenal and we brought in young Paul Allen. "He was 17-years-old and playing in a cup final at Wembley. If I remember rightly Trevor Brooking scored the winning goal and West Ham won 1-0. The important thing was Allen got into that team at 17, but the team had one international and that was Trevor Brooking. "Today, if we're having a cup final, there probably would be 30 internationals on the pitch, so there is a big difference and a changing landscape that's changed the whole dynamics. "There is nothing more pleasurable, for a fan, owner or manager, to have a young academy player breaking through. However, I think we've got to be realistic and say that is now virtually impossible. "I think we had one or two that broke in this season. I think we had Rashford and that was really a freak situation. That wouldn't have happened under normal circumstances and I think there was an injury during the warm-up and he got his chance. "It's just not going to happen on a regular basis. It's different now. We have to face the fact that 17, 18 and 19-year-old young men are not going to get into the Premier League first-team. That would be very, very rare."
AB: Does that mean you will have to cut back on your expenditure on your academy? Chelsea and Manchester City have spent millions.
DG: "We're spending about £5million a year on our academy and we've had young Reece Oxford play a couple of games. "From a financial point of view we'd like them to come through earlier, but we've got to face up to the fact, the academy is in place and that's not going to change, what will change is that instead of teenagers breaking into the first team, they are going to have to go out on loan. "That's what is happening and there is a big drive for players to go out on loan and they may do that for three of four years. "A 17-year-old that may have got into the team 30 years ago will have to go out on loan to a team in the first division or second division and then eventually the Championship. Then he becomes 22 or 23 and breaks into the first team. That's the route that I think the future holds."
AB: How difficult is it for West Ham to bring in a big player?
DG: "It's clear to most fans that we are desperate for centre-forwards. We need strikers. Andy Carroll is injury-prone as we know, we have had an injury problem with [Diafra] Sakho and we have just got to bring in centre-forwards. We have got to find the money. "Without strikers, you struggle in the Premier League. You struggle in any division because strikers are your key players. "You have to bring in and spend your money wisely but it must be on strikers, particularly strikers that have had experience with Premier League football - the very best we can afford."
AB: The wages must be above what you're paying at the moment.
DG: "That's the problem and the difficulty and we have to find a way over that to ensure we bring in the very best that we can afford. We have tried the route of going overseas to bring in players - that hasn't worked. "We had a very difficult season because players we brought in from Europe didn't make the grade and we paid the price. We struggled. "We were actually flirting for some time with relegation because we couldn't score goals. Our other strikers were injured and that is why we have got to bring in players with Premier League experience and that is what we ae working on now. "David Sullivan is working day and night in an effort to solve this problem."
AB: Do you have to balance the books to bring players in?
DG: "If there isn't enough money then we have to sell fringe players. We've done that. The Norwegian player [Havard Nordtveit] has gone to Germany, so there's a player who has taken £45,000 off the wage bill and a little money has come in. "All of that goes in to ensure that we have money for one of two strikers."
AB: A top ten finish will be very difficult for the club
DG: "It is but that's our aim. Our aim is to finish further than we did this year. "We'd like to be knocking on the door of European football, we think we have a good squad but we do need to add a couple of strikers to ensure we are attacking the top end of the table, whereas last year we were flirting with relegation for a long time in the season. "Our fans don't want it and I certainly don't want it."
AB: Do you think it will be easier at the Olympic Stadium next year?
DG: "Yes, I do. I think a lot of our problems have been resolved and we are getting better and better every day as we resolve these issues. "It's a new stadium, it wasn't like Spurs or Arsenal where they are building a brand new football stadium, we've had to convert an athletics stadium into a football stadium. "That's been more difficult but we have improved the matchday experience of our fans. I think they are beginning too warm to the new stadium. There's nothing like winning. If we get on a run or cup run, then things accelerate and the improvements accelerate."
MQ: Would you be interested in Jack Wilshere coming to the club?
DG: "We are interested in all good players but we have to face the facts here - we have got good midfielders. We have got a good defence, we have got good midfielders, we have got good wingers. "We need strikers and that is the key to everything for this season, so we are focused first and foremost on bringing in two strikers. They are top of our list."
AB: Would Slaven have been interested in signing Tammy Abraham?
DG: "We want proven, experienced centre-forwards. Maybe in another season, when you've got experienced strikers in place, you bring him in. We've got young Fletcher that could be anything, we don't know. "In this moment in time we can't rely on, and forgive me as this is part of the issue, teenagers and youngsters.
"We must get top, top quality players in at this time. It's nice to have youngsters coming through and when they're 22 or 23 they will be superstars. "You can only have that if you have a number of top class strikers in your squad. Then in the background you can have them coming through slowly that will next year make the first team."
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Stephen Hendrie joins Blues
Southendunited.co.uk
@SUFCRootsHall
Southend United are delighted to announce the signing of former loanee Stephen Hendrie on a two year deal with an option of a third. Left-footed Hendrie can play in a number of positions and impressed for Blues during the 2015/16 season after joining on loan from Premier League West Ham United. Hendrie, who has played U21 football for Scotland, played five games for Blues and scored his first professional goal against Shrewsbury Town at Greenhous Meadow. The 22 year old joined West Ham United on 1st July 2015 from Hamilton Academical clocking up over 100 appearances for the Scottish Club including promotion to the Scottish Premiership via the play-offs. Hendrie also spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, who now join Blues in the Sky Bet League One. Hendrie was pleased to return to Roots Hall "I'm buzzing to be back, I came here on loan for a short spell and it's a great club, I can't wait to start playing. The Scot had fond memories from his previous loan spell at Blues and he can't wait to push on. "I enjoyed my spell here last time and last season I kept a look out on the results and it was frustrating to just miss out on the play-offs, I can't wait for the season ahead and hopefully we can go one step further. "I'm glad it's all sorted ahead of the start of pre-season, I'm looking forward to getting fit, meet all the boys and get going again."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Historian John Powles, author of 'Iron in the Blood: Thames Ironworks FC, the Club That Became West Ham United', reflects on the earliest days of the Club at Hermit Road in Canning Town...
In the summer of 1895, Managing Director of Thames Ironworks & Shipbuilding Company Arnold Hills took over the lease of the ground that Old Castle Swifts had vacated at the northern end of Hermit Road, which enabled his newly-formed football club at a ready-made arena.
When manager Syd King wrote a history of the club in 1905 (short though it obviously was) he described the venue as a 'barren waste' and a 'cinder heap'.
Bearing in mind that he joined Thames Ironworks FC in 1899 for its last season under that name and was not there at the time, he was possibly led to the misapprehension that the club was obliged to clear a scrub-like tip before a ball could be kicked.
Nothing could be further from the truth as the Old St.Luke's club had been residents since 1892, before amalgamating with Castle Swifts for the 1894/95 season.
Thames Ironworks FCWhen the ground became available due to the collapse of Old Castle Swifts, Hills was quick to acquire it.
The whole ground was intended to be used for a variety of sports, one of which included the cycling club, which had been inaugurated in June 1894, but had no cycle track for competitive use. A track of 360 yards circumference and six yards two inches wide was laid out by members in June 1895.
The entire length bordering the football pitch was a cinder track, and later on people probably had the mistaken impression that the pitch itself was cinder-based.
Some histories have said that the ground was surrounded by a moat, but this is an exaggeration. On the far edges of the outside area was a system of sluices, which were constructed to drain away excess water as the area was very marshy and formerly known to flood.
Before the Ironworks' first fixture, foreman Dave Taylor had affiliated the club to the FA and had recruited players before handing over to Mr. A.T. Harsent, who became Secretary.
Initially the Hermit Road ground was screened by canvas sheeting to hide the game from non-paying spectators, but later this became stable fencing.
Considering the club was of amateur status and basically part of a company sports section, the committee had an ambitious strategy by entering the team into the FA Cup.
With Hills a generous benefactor, and having players in the shipyard who already possessed experience and ability, why not dive in at the deep end?
As it turned out, a 0-5 defeat at Chatham was perhaps a step too far, but enthusiasm was not dampened and victories were obtained against local sides that led the committee to an idea which was pretty much a pioneering one at the time.
Floodlit football had been tried out at three grounds only—Blackburn, Darwen and Bramall Lane, Sheffield, all in 1878 – but this was still revolutionary, because those three clubs would become League clubs in the competition's earliest days, whereas Thames Ironworks FC was in its first season.
The ten lights were suspended on poles, giving 2,000 candle power for each light, driven by a generator. There were some initial problems in the first two games, with lights going out at various times, and the ball having to be dipped in whitewash which resulted in sarcastic press comments, but the committee ensured seven fixtures were completed without too many hitches, and two First Division sides in Woolwich Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion were among the opponents.
There were no more serious attempts at floodlit football in this country until 1930 and our club's forbearers have not been given the credit historically, that they fully deserve.
The enterprise that the infant club from the East End shipyard had shown, bode well for the future of the club.
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Hammers Heritage: Happy birthday Thames Ironworks FC!
WHUFC.com
Thames Ironworks FC was founded on 29 June 1895, so the Club which served as the precursor to West Ham United is celebrating its 122nd birthday!
The original football club was the brainchild of Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company foreman Dave Taylor and was put into practice by managing director and keen amateur sportsman Arnold Hills.
Over its five-season existence, Thames Ironworks FC won the West Ham Charity Cup, London League and Southern League Division Two, while playing at three different stadia in the local area - Hermit Road, Browning Road and the Memorial Grounds.
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West Ham striker Ashley Fletcher eyes Austria repeat
WHUFC.com
Ashley Fletcher is hoping history will repeat itself when West Ham United travel to Austria in July. The young centre forward arrived from Manchester United a year ago and immediately made his mark, scoring in pre-season fixtures with FC Slovacko and Karlsruher SC in the Central European country. While speculation continues to grow over the possibility of the Hammers bringing in a big-money forward this summer, Fletcher himself is hoping to impress when Slaven Bilic's squad return to the Alpine nation this summer. "It was the same last year, as everyone was saying we need a £20m striker but they are hard to come by," said Fletcher, who netted his first competitive goal for West Ham in an EFL Cup tie at his former club in November. "It's not easy to go out and find a player who can score goals regularly in the Premier League, especially those who come in from abroad. "As a young player making my way through, if I am given an opportunity and a run in the team, I think that can only benefit me."
Fletcher cited the examples of his long-time Manchester United colleague Marcus Rashford and Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, both of whom are young English strikers who have established themselves in the Premier League as two to attempt to emulate. "I look at Marcus Rashford, for example, who has taken his chance and stayed in the team and he's probably now one of the best strikers in England," the 21-year-old observed. "The same can be said for Harry Kane as well. "There aren't many young English strikers playing in the Premier League, so hopefully this season I can get even more game-time, as my ambitions are to play and do well for this massive Club. "Last season was a learning year for me, so I've been away and worked on getting fitter and stronger over the summer as I want to come back firing in pre-season."
Fletcher added that the support of the Claret and Blue Army would continue to aid him in his quest to become a first-team regular. The attitude and talent shown by the No24 last season won recognition from West Ham fans, and he is eager to repay them by hitting the back of the net in the future. "As a young English player, having the fans behind you gives you a massive boost," he confirmed. "I've just got to keep proving to the manager that I deserve minutes and when I get on the pitch, I need to show what I can do and show the fans why I should be playing. "They've been fantastic since I got to the Club, they've really got behind me and I can only thank them for supporting me."
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SHOULD WE GET A DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 29 JUNE 2017 AT 8:47PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @whusam_
Before I write this article I'd like to thank Ex and the West Ham Way for giving me the chance to do so. This week Ex has left twitter and he does a lot for the fans of WH like proving transfer news, the radio show and organising events. He doesn't deserve the abuse he gets. Hopefully we will see him back on twitter soon.
This has been a very interesting week as a West Ham fan if I'm honest, we have been hearing on social media that we have a decent sized transfer budget and this along with our known revenue from sales of Valencia (potentially), Nordveit, TV rights, low stadium costs should mean that we are able to spend freely and compete with the like of Everton this summer.
A major issue for the club so far is that all of our targets rely on other clubs getting replacements in (Giroud/Batushayi) and that will be a waiting game, but missing out on a top youngster in Onyekuru and struggling to negotiate with City for Iheanacho has fans frustrated.
I've seen a lot of talk from fans about bringing in a Director of Football which I think is a great idea. We need someone who can bridge the gap between the football side of the club and the business side of the club. The trouble we have is that we are struggling to attract players to come to West Ham, the owners thought that the stadium would be a massive pull factor in transfers when in actual fact it isn't.
A Director of Football would need to be someone that knows the game and the club very well. Maybe an Ex player or even a Manager who wants more of an oversight role. We need this person who will run the club for the owners, work closely with Bilic and know their stuff when it comes to transfers and talent on the pitch, because at the end of the day, despite their experience at Birmingham, the owner's businessmen and they will always think like businessmen.
A Director of Football would need to be given a set budget from the owners at the start of the window, then he works with Bilic and they together sign who they want to and who will be best for the team, not someone who the owners see getting their money's worth on.
The owners have shot themselves in the foot over the last few years with promising big money signings last year and not delivering and struggling again this year in the transfer market. I know it's still early days yet and the window doesn't close until September but everyone has last summer in the back of their minds, and with Everton spending freely and and being so successful, it is a bit concerning.
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Gold: you'll win nothing with kids
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
David Gold's insistence that young players will find it harder than ever to break into Premier League teams has not been received particularly well by Hammers fans. The club's co-chairman told Talksport that it was now "virtually impossible" for an Academy player to break through to the first team - adding that it would be "very rare" for a teenager to do so. Naturally that caused a degree of consternation from many Hammers fans, some of whom took to the KUMB Forum in order to express their frustration with the octogenarian's comments. "Herein lies the main reason why my interest in us has dwindled dramatically," wrote steveyrockstar. "I simply don't enjoy seeing us become just another squad of randomly assembled overseas stars. "We're barely clasping onto an identity. It's very sad. Part of me thinks DG is simply stating the truth, the other part of me is like 'well do something about it!'"
Meanwhile Hamburg Hammer felt that Gold's comments - added to opinions he shared recently regarding the club's once world-famous Academy - suggested that the Board may be trying to to pull away from investing in it, something he warned against. "If they even tried to lay their hands on the Academy, they should get ready for some serious backlash from the supporters," he wrote. "Our kids just got promoted. It takes time, patience and money to nurture talent. "Spurs, Everton and Southampton are all producing stars regularly and Bournemouth, Arsenal, Liverpool and Leicester all field young British players regularly."
However Gsbgsb felt that Gold made a valid point - but questioned whether enough was being done to keep the Academy at the top of the pile. "This is not a West Ham or West Ham board problem," he said. "It is the problem of money in the modern game and the implications of relegation. "The point DG makes about the number of foreign players in the game is correct, it limits the opportunity of younger players, being good is no longer enough, exceptional is required. Whether the product is broken is a different debate, it is the product we have now."
Speaking to Talksport earlier today, Gold had said: "There is nothing more pleasurable, for a fan, owner or manager, to have a young Academy player breaking through. However, I think we've got to be realistic and say that is now virtually impossible. "It's just not going to happen on a regular basis. It's different now. We have to face the fact that 17, 18 and 19-year-old young men are not going to get into the Premier League first-team. That would be very, very rare. "From a financial point of view we'd like them to come through earlier, but we've got to face up to facts. "The Academy is in place and that's not going to change, what will change is that instead of teenagers breaking into the first team they are going to have to go out on loan - and they may do that for three of four years."
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Liverpool fan secures OS season ticket
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
A Liverpool supporter is looking forward to watching regular Premier League football next season - at the Olympic Stadium. Rather than making the 250-mile pilgrimage to Anfield 18 times every season, Liverpool fan Mo Mayet will instead be visiting the home of West Ham on a regular basis after purchasing a season ticket earlier today. And that will no doubt come as a major surprise to many West Ham fans who have been unable to purchase a season ticket for the forthcoming season - especially those who have previously been told they were on the club's waiting list.
"Season ticket purchased for #westham next season", wrote Mr Mayet, a recruitment agent based in London on his twitter timeline this afternoon. "Look forward to watching live #PremierLeague #football every 2 weeks or so."
Last season there were a number of incidents in the stadium as a result of the club selling tickets to non-West Ham fans in areas of the ground reserved for home supporters. Meanwhile, a number of fans who have been on the club's waiting list since 2015 remain ticketless.
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Paolo Di Canio to return to east London as latest Italian 'Star Sixes' signing
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 29th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United legend Paolo Di Canio is heading back to east London as he joins a star-studded Italy squad to take part in the inaugural Star Sixes tournament at The O2 between 13-16 July. The Hammers hero is returning to a place where he was adored by Irons supporters, and admired by football fans in general, for his entertaining – and sometimes controversial – style. Di Canio scored some spectacular goals just a corner-kick away from The O2, when West Ham played down the road at the Boleyn Ground, and he is aiming to reproduce that form as Italy try to lift the first Star Sixes trophy.
Italy's opening fixture at the six-a-side World Cup for legends is a glamorous clash with Brazil (13 July), whose side include Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo and Juninho.
But Italy are led by the great Alessandro Del Piero, and with Fabrizio Ravanelli alongside Di Canio, they have also confirmed Champions League winners Angelo Di Livio and Massimo Oddo, World Cup winner Marco Amelia, Stefano Fiore and Marco Delvecchio in their line-up.
After their Brazil encounter, Italy face a Nigeria squad led by Jay-Jay Okocha, and the Super Eagles have also just added new faces to their exciting team. Former Everton defender Joseph Yobo, Inter Milan icon Taribo West and Monaco striker Victor Ikpeba will be in their squad for the four-day tournament. West is best remembered for his flamboyant hairstyles and rampaging style when he played for Derby County, while Yobo, who won 101 caps, was a firm favourite with both the Goodison faithful and Nigeria fans. England, meanwhile, have also bolstered their ranks with former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie – the ninth addition to skipper Steven Gerrard's squad.
Hendrie joins Phil Neville, Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Danny Murphy Paul Merson and ex-Hammers David James and Rio Ferdinand in the Three Lions set-up.
Star Sixes promises spectacular action at London's O2 Arena, with other world-class stars including Robert Pires of France, Germany's Michael Ballack, Spain's Carles Puyol and Portugal's Deco among a galaxy of stars on show.
Tickets for the inaugural Star Sixes, starting at £30 adults and £10 U16s, are on sale at www.starsixes.com.
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Newcastle, West Ham want Tottenham-linked Suso
HITC
Shane Callaghan
Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United are also interested in signing a reported Tottenham Hotspur target. International Business Times has reported that Newcastle United, Everton and West Ham United are also interested in signing AC Milan winger Suso. It was reported by Marca last weekend that Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing the 23-year-old, whom had been linked to Spurs earlier in the year. This week, The Mirror claimed that Tottenham's efforts of signing him had been boosted by suggestions that Milan would let him join the North Londoners, if it was a choice between them and Italian rivals Roma or Napoli.
That being said, competition for his signature might be hotting up as more Premier League clubs join the queue for the ex-Liverpool attacker. According to The International Business Times, Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United have also "expressed an interest" in the young Spaniard, who would favour a move to Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham according to the report. Suso's stock has risen considerably since leaving Liverpool for Milan in 2015, netting 13 goals over the past two seasons for the Rossoneri - and nine assists last season. West Ham have been mostly linked with strikers this summer and while Newcastle are reported to be in the market for a winger, it remains to be seen who manager Rafael Benitez signs. The Magpies boss has endured a frustrating summer thus far after watching a number of his reported transfer targets slip through his fingers, but if the report from the IBTimes is to be believed then Suso fancies the Lilywhites over Newcastle, West Ham or Everton.
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David Gold says West Ham will get 'the very best strikers we can afford' as club targets Giroud and Iheanacho
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard
West Ham joint-chairman David Gold has vowed to buy "the very best [strikers] we can afford" as the club plot an overhaul of their frontline this summer. The Hammers are targeting ambitious swoops for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud and Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho, for whom they submitted a £20million bid last month. They were however beaten to the punch for Nigerian youngster Henry Onyekuru, who announced yesterday that he was set to join Everton. However the 20-year-old was not West Ham's top priority and Gold is willing to spend big if it means he can furnish Slaven Bilic with strikers such as Giroud and Iheanacho that have a track record in the Premier League. "We are interested in all good players but we have to face the facts here – we have got good midfielders," Gold told talkSPORT when asked about the Hammers' reported interest in Giroud's Arsenal team-mate Jack Wilshere. "We have got a good defence, we have got good midfielders, we have got good wingers. We need strikers and that is the key to everything for this season so we are focused first and foremost on bringing in two strikers. "It's clear to most fans that we are desperate for centre-forwards," Gold continued.
Andy Carroll is injury-prone as we know, we have had an injury problem with [Diafra] Sakho and we have just got to bring in centre-forwards. We have got to find the money. "Without strikers, you struggle in the Premier League. You struggle in any division because strikers are your key players. "You have to spend your money wisely but it must be on strikers, particularly strikers that have had experience with Premier League football - the very best we can afford."
West Ham strikers combined to score just nine goals in all competitions last season, seven of which came from Carroll across 22 games in another injury-plagued campaign. Italian international Simone Zaza had been expected to be the marquee signing West Ham fans had been promised ahead of the 2016-17 season but was shunted off to Valencia in January so the club did not have to pay £20m to buy him from Juventus. Zaza was not the only arrival from that summer to struggle to establish themselves in the Premier League – Havard Nordtveit has already been sent back to the Bundesliga and Alvaro Arbeloa has retired – and West Ham are keen to recruit players with greater experience in England. That has already been proven through the arrival of Pablo Zabaleta from Manchester City on a free transfer, the only business West Ham have so far conducted this summer.
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West Ham ready to offload Robert Snodgrass - just six months after £10million move from Hull
The Hammers only bought Snodgrass in January but after just eight league starts he could be on his way out
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
22:30, 28 JUN 2017
West Ham are ready to offload Robert Snodgrass - just six months after signing him for £10m. Scotland midfielder Snodgrass, 29, struggled to make a big impact at West Ham after arriving from Hull in January. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is now ready to cut his losses and is also set to have a mini shake-up to try and clear the decks to bring in new signings. They are ready to listen to offers for Algeria international Sofiane Feghouli who struggled to make an impact after arriving on a free transfer last summer. West Ham are keen to offload Enner Valencia despite turning down an offer from Mexican side Tigres. Ecuador forward Valencia, 27, spent last season on loan at Everton after originally joining West Ham from Mexican side Pachuca for £12.5m in 2014. But Snodgrass's potential departure is the one that catches the eye but Bilic often started with him on the bench rather than the starting line-up. They will look to get their money back on him but realistically could have to take a financial hit. Snodgrass signed a three and a half year contract. West Ham beat off competition from Middlesbrough and Burnley in January but he struggled to settle in London. Now newly-promoted Brighton could come in for Snodgrass and it remains to be seen if Burnley come back. West Ham have some ambitious targets with Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud the big-name on their summer shopping list and Bilic is keen to improve their transfer dealings.
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Chelsea's Nathan Ake to make £20m Bournemouth move today snubbing Newcastle and West Ham - report
The Blues defender is set to return to the south coast permanently
Football London
BYADAM JONES
06:00, 29 JUN 2017
Chelsea defender Nathan Ake is repotedly set to return to the south coast on a permanent basis with Bournemouth having agreed a £20m deal. The 22-year-old spent part of last campaign on loan with the Cherries and was in impressive form under Eddie Howe until he was recalled to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window. The defender only made two Premier League appearances for the Blues last season compared to 10 whilst on loan at Bournemouth - with the south coast side trying and failing to keep the Dutch international permanently last January. Now, according to reports, the Cherries have agreed a £20 million deal with Chelsea - with Goal understanding that Southampton, Newcastle and West Ham United were all interested. However, the report suggests that Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe played a big part in Ake's decision to return. Ake will become the second Chelsea player to move to the Cherries this window if the deal goes through, with Asmir Begovic also making the move for £12 million earlier in the window.
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Report names three players put up for sale by West Ham United, as Slaven Bilic plans shake-up
HITC
John Verrall
@JohnVerrall
West Ham United are expected to offload some of their fringe players in the coming weeks. According to the Daily Mirror, West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic is planning a mini shake-up at the London Stadium. West Ham suffered a disappointing campaign last time around, where they failed to live up to expectations.
And Bilic has decided that he needs to offload some of the players who fell short of the standards required. Havard Nortdveit has already left West Ham this summer, but more players have been put up for sale. Robert Snodgrass is one name at West Ham, who is available. The Scottish winger only joined West Ham in January but could move on - with Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnely said to be interested by the Mirror. Sofiane Feghouli is another player who West Ham would like to get off their books this summer. The Hammers also want to get rid of Enner Valencia, as Bilic looks to help fund moves for some of his planned additions.
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Arsenal & West Ham receive transfer boost as French giants pull out race for £17.6m ace who has been involved in 69 goals since leaving London
By Emre Sarigul - June 29, 20170
Turkish football.com
Arsenal & West Ham receive transfer boost as French giants pull out race for £17.6m ace Oguzhan Ozyakup Marseille have pulled out of the race for Oguzhan Ozyakup according to reports in France. La Provence report that the Ligue 1 outfit are not interested in Ozyakup and will not be pursuing him this window. Per the source, the 24-year-old does not play a position that Marseille are trying to strengthen. The latest developments follow Fotomac claiming the French giants were ready to offer £8.8 million [€10m]. News that Marseille are not in the running will serve as a transfer boost to Arsenal and West Ham. The report claims that the Hammers are interested in the Turkish international. This is not the first time Slaven Bilic has been linked with a move for the midfielder he coached for two seasons during his time in charge of Besiktas. Turkish-Football report that Arsenal have been tracking their former academy player for months. Arsenal scout Jurgen Kost revealed over the 2016-17 season that a summer move could be on the cards. Kost was quoted by Turkish-Football as saying: "Ozyakup is a player we have been closely tracking and when we do our next search for players in his position there is a possibility he return to Arsenal."
Besiktas value their star man as being worth £17.6 million [€20m] and are reluctant to accept offers below their asking price. Ozyakup has just 12 months remaining on his contract and has yet to sign an extension. The 24-year-old has been directly involved in 69 goals since leaving Arsenal for Besiktas in 2012.
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David Gold interview full transcript: Every word on West Ham academy, Wilshere and other signings
West Ham news includes David Gold's interview on talkSPORT about Reece Oxford, transfer targets and other key topics
Football London
BYROB GUEST
12:30, 29 JUN 2017UPDATED12:34, 29 JUN 2017
AB: There's just no time to blood youngsters, managers are under so much pressure and fans expect so much, especially in the Premier League.
DG: "I think that's true. I think the issue is the changing landscape. I think a good analogy is to look at the FA Cup in 1980 when West Ham were playing Arsenal and we brought in young Paul Allen. "He was 17-years-old and playing in a cup final at Wembley. If I remember rightly Trevor Brooking scored the winning goal and West Ham won 1-0. The important thing was Allen got into that team at 17, but the team had one international and that was Trevor Brooking. "Today, if we're having a cup final, there probably would be 30 internationals on the pitch, so there is a big difference and a changing landscape that's changed the whole dynamics. "There is nothing more pleasurable, for a fan, owner or manager, to have a young academy player breaking through. However, I think we've got to be realistic and say that is now virtually impossible. "I think we had one or two that broke in this season. I think we had Rashford and that was really a freak situation. That wouldn't have happened under normal circumstances and I think there was an injury during the warm-up and he got his chance. "It's just not going to happen on a regular basis. It's different now. We have to face the fact that 17, 18 and 19-year-old young men are not going to get into the Premier League first-team. That would be very, very rare."
AB: Does that mean you will have to cut back on your expenditure on your academy? Chelsea and Manchester City have spent millions.
DG: "We're spending about £5million a year on our academy and we've had young Reece Oxford play a couple of games. "From a financial point of view we'd like them to come through earlier, but we've got to face up to the fact, the academy is in place and that's not going to change, what will change is that instead of teenagers breaking into the first team, they are going to have to go out on loan. "That's what is happening and there is a big drive for players to go out on loan and they may do that for three of four years. "A 17-year-old that may have got into the team 30 years ago will have to go out on loan to a team in the first division or second division and then eventually the Championship. Then he becomes 22 or 23 and breaks into the first team. That's the route that I think the future holds."
AB: How difficult is it for West Ham to bring in a big player?
DG: "It's clear to most fans that we are desperate for centre-forwards. We need strikers. Andy Carroll is injury-prone as we know, we have had an injury problem with [Diafra] Sakho and we have just got to bring in centre-forwards. We have got to find the money. "Without strikers, you struggle in the Premier League. You struggle in any division because strikers are your key players. "You have to bring in and spend your money wisely but it must be on strikers, particularly strikers that have had experience with Premier League football - the very best we can afford."
AB: The wages must be above what you're paying at the moment.
DG: "That's the problem and the difficulty and we have to find a way over that to ensure we bring in the very best that we can afford. We have tried the route of going overseas to bring in players - that hasn't worked. "We had a very difficult season because players we brought in from Europe didn't make the grade and we paid the price. We struggled. "We were actually flirting for some time with relegation because we couldn't score goals. Our other strikers were injured and that is why we have got to bring in players with Premier League experience and that is what we ae working on now. "David Sullivan is working day and night in an effort to solve this problem."
AB: Do you have to balance the books to bring players in?
DG: "If there isn't enough money then we have to sell fringe players. We've done that. The Norwegian player [Havard Nordtveit] has gone to Germany, so there's a player who has taken £45,000 off the wage bill and a little money has come in. "All of that goes in to ensure that we have money for one of two strikers."
AB: A top ten finish will be very difficult for the club
DG: "It is but that's our aim. Our aim is to finish further than we did this year. "We'd like to be knocking on the door of European football, we think we have a good squad but we do need to add a couple of strikers to ensure we are attacking the top end of the table, whereas last year we were flirting with relegation for a long time in the season. "Our fans don't want it and I certainly don't want it."
AB: Do you think it will be easier at the Olympic Stadium next year?
DG: "Yes, I do. I think a lot of our problems have been resolved and we are getting better and better every day as we resolve these issues. "It's a new stadium, it wasn't like Spurs or Arsenal where they are building a brand new football stadium, we've had to convert an athletics stadium into a football stadium. "That's been more difficult but we have improved the matchday experience of our fans. I think they are beginning too warm to the new stadium. There's nothing like winning. If we get on a run or cup run, then things accelerate and the improvements accelerate."
MQ: Would you be interested in Jack Wilshere coming to the club?
DG: "We are interested in all good players but we have to face the facts here - we have got good midfielders. We have got a good defence, we have got good midfielders, we have got good wingers. "We need strikers and that is the key to everything for this season, so we are focused first and foremost on bringing in two strikers. They are top of our list."
AB: Would Slaven have been interested in signing Tammy Abraham?
DG: "We want proven, experienced centre-forwards. Maybe in another season, when you've got experienced strikers in place, you bring him in. We've got young Fletcher that could be anything, we don't know. "In this moment in time we can't rely on, and forgive me as this is part of the issue, teenagers and youngsters.
"We must get top, top quality players in at this time. It's nice to have youngsters coming through and when they're 22 or 23 they will be superstars. "You can only have that if you have a number of top class strikers in your squad. Then in the background you can have them coming through slowly that will next year make the first team."
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Stephen Hendrie joins Blues
Southendunited.co.uk
@SUFCRootsHall
Southend United are delighted to announce the signing of former loanee Stephen Hendrie on a two year deal with an option of a third. Left-footed Hendrie can play in a number of positions and impressed for Blues during the 2015/16 season after joining on loan from Premier League West Ham United. Hendrie, who has played U21 football for Scotland, played five games for Blues and scored his first professional goal against Shrewsbury Town at Greenhous Meadow. The 22 year old joined West Ham United on 1st July 2015 from Hamilton Academical clocking up over 100 appearances for the Scottish Club including promotion to the Scottish Premiership via the play-offs. Hendrie also spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, who now join Blues in the Sky Bet League One. Hendrie was pleased to return to Roots Hall "I'm buzzing to be back, I came here on loan for a short spell and it's a great club, I can't wait to start playing. The Scot had fond memories from his previous loan spell at Blues and he can't wait to push on. "I enjoyed my spell here last time and last season I kept a look out on the results and it was frustrating to just miss out on the play-offs, I can't wait for the season ahead and hopefully we can go one step further. "I'm glad it's all sorted ahead of the start of pre-season, I'm looking forward to getting fit, meet all the boys and get going again."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, June 29
Daily WHUFC News - 29th June 2017
PL2 pre-season: The lowdown
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Premier League 2 side face a packed pre-season as they prepare for their 2017/18 campaign in Premier League 2 Division 1. After winning promotion in a dramatic Play-Off game at Newcastle United in May, Terry Westley's side will fine-tune their preparations with a series of games in England and overseas.
We take a look at the schedule here
Barnet
Barnet v West Ham United PL2
Saturday 15 July, 3pm
Terry Westley's team kick-off pre-season with a trip to north London, where they will face League 2 side Barnet. The Bees now play at the Hive, which has been their home since leaving Underhill in 2013. Barnet, who are under the management of 32-year-old Rossi Eames, came 15th in League 2 last year and they have made the transition to the EFL well since winning promotion back there in 2015. Ticket information for this fixture will be available soon.
Colchester United v West Ham United PL2
Tuesday 18 July, 7.45pm
Three days later it's a short hop up the A12 and a visit to Colchester United, also of League 2. The U's Weston Homes Community Stadium was opened in 2008 and John McGreal's team only just missed out on the Play-Offs last term, finishing eighth, a point away from the end-of-season shootout. Colchester will fancy their chances of going one better this season, and are sure to provide the Hammers' young professionals with a stern test.
Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge v West Ham United PL2
Saturday 22 July, 3pm
The Hammers' third pre-season fixture is one back on familiar ground, as they take on Dagenham & Redbridge - their host club for PL2 games. Dagenham were back in the National League last term, and almost secured an immediate return to the Football League, only losing out in the Play-Off semis to the eventual promoted team Forest Green Rovers. With veteran manager John Still at the helm, few would bet against the Daggers being in the promotion shake-up once again.
Tour to Slovakia, games v Spartak Trnava & FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce
The Hammers then depart for Slovakia, where they will take on top flight sides Spartak Trnava and FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce. Trnava are three-time runners-up in the Slovak league and finished sixth last term. They have also appeared in European competition for the last three seasons, reaching the third qualifying round of the Europa League last term. FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce were tenth last term and have won the domestic cup once, in 2007.
Billericay Town v West Ham United PL2
Tuesday 8 August, 7.45pm
When the Hammers head back to these shores, they take on Isthmian Premier League side Billericay Town. Billericay have been making waves in the non-league scene with significant investment under owner and manager Glenn Tamplin, with Paul Konchesky and Jamie O'Hara high-profile playing arrivals. They play at New Lodge and will provide Westley's team with their final tune-up before the season gets underway.
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Aaron Cresswell excited by Zabaleta 'quality and experience'
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell believes Pablo Zabaleta's experience and quality will have a hugely positive impact on West Ham United. The Hammers left-back is looking forward to sharing a dressing room, training ground and pitch with the experienced Argentinian, who will formally complete his move to east London from Manchester City on Saturday. Cresswell revealed he had received a glowing report on the new No5 from Joe Hart, who won two Premier League titles alongside Zabaleta at the Etihad Stadium, while on England duty. "Watching him throughout his time with Manchester City, which was nearly a decade, the things Pablo Zabaleta did for that club were fantastic, winning Premier League titles cups and the like," Creswell observed. "He will now bring those qualities, his loyalty and experience to West Ham and his presence will only help us, not only his fellow defenders but the whole team. "I spoke to Joe Hart while I was away with England and Joe could not have spoken any higher of him, saying he is a great teammate, a great lad and top professional. "His quality is there for all to see, so he is a great addition to the squad. Pablo will not only make his presence felt on the pitch, but his experience will rub off on the young lads around the training ground."
Cresswell also reflected positively on his recent international experience, which saw him win a second senior cap in a friendly with France in Paris. The 27-year-old made his Three Lions debut against Spain at Wembley last November, just weeks after returning from a serious knee injury, having been called up as a replacement for injured Leicester City star Danny Drinkwater. This time around, Cresswell was named in Gareth Southgate's original squad and he is hoping a productive pre-season and strong start to the new Premier League campaign will see him keep his place for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with Malta and Slovakia in September. "Obviously it was another proud moment for me and my family to get another cap for England," confirmed the No3, who will return for pre-season training on 10 July after being given a few extra days to recharge his batteries by manager Slaven Bilic. "I enjoyed being part of the squad again and everything that goes with it. "Now, I want to hit the ground running when I come back for pre-season training, because I want to keep my place in the squad and add to my tally of caps in the future. "Last year, I sprained my medial knee ligament in pre-season and was out for three months, which was not a great start, but I then got a shock call-up after only three games as an injury replacement and make my debut against Spain back in November, which was a very proud moment.
"To then get called up again this summer was fantastic and it was great to double my tally in France earlier this month. I'm now looking forward to getting back in for pre-season and putting the hard yards in again."
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Three-time Hammer of the Year Scott Parker announces retirement
WHUFC.com
Three-time Hammer of the Year Scott Parker has thanked West Ham United and the Claret and Blue Army after announcing his retirement from professional football. The England international midfielder enjoyed four outstanding seasons in east London between 2007-11, making 129 appearances, scoring 12 goals and being named Footballer of the Year in 2011. Parker hung up his boots at the age of 36, ending a career that spanned 20 seasons, 572 senior games for West Ham, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Newcastle United Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, 18 England caps and countless crunching tackles and lung-bursting runs. "I have enjoyed so many incredible moments during my career," Parker wrote in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon. "From making my first team debut at Charlton, to playing regularly in the Premier League, playing in the Champions League to then playing in a major tournament for England, as well as ultimately fulfilling a lifelong dream by captaining my country. There are just too many highlights to mention. "I would like to thank everyone at Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham for the unbelievable support that I've been shown throughout my time at each and every one of the club's I've been proud to represent. "Thank you to the fans of all of the clubs that I've been lucky enough to play for. Your support has meant everything to me and you've supported me throughout all of the ups and downs during my career. I hope I was able to repay the faith shown in me by my commitment and performances on the pitch. "I would like to thank all of my teammates over the course of my career as well as the coaches and managers that I've played under. I've learnt a huge amount from everyone that I've worked with that I have no doubt will hugely benefit me in my next career chapter. "When was a boy I dreamt of becoming a professional football player and I feel very honoured to have accomplished my dream. I have always tried to set high standards on and off the pitch. I hope most of all throughout my career I have been a good role model not only to my sons but also to all of my teammates who played with me as well as all those who supported me."
A central midfielder with boundless energy, unrivalled commitment and inspirational leadership qualities, Parker joined West Ham from Newcastle United for £7m in June 2007. Over the next four seasons, he produced arguably the best football of his illustrious career, first under Gianfranco Zola and then during an otherwise disappointing 2010/11 campaign, when his seven goals and sensational personal performances were unable to save the Club from relegation. Parker was voted Hammer of the Year for the first time in 2009, before winning the accolade again in 2010 and 2011, while his form also earned a recall to the senior England squad after a four-and-a-half year absence. Everyone at West Ham United would like to thank Scott for his efforts, for the unforgettable memories he gave us, and wish him well in his retirement and whatever he chooses to do next.
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ROBERT SNODGRASS, DOES HE STAY? OR DOES HE GO?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 28 JUNE 2017 AT 9:05PM
TheWesTHamWay.co.uk
Written by Max Reader @reader_max
Robert Snodgrass was a valuable player at Hull, scoring and regularly getting assists for team mates, at one point looked like an exceptional signing in January. Since then Snodgrass has divided opinion amongst the fans, same say he should go where as others want him to have a chance. I feel we should give Robert Snodgrass a chance especially seeing that we forked out £10.2 million on him we must give him until January with the quality he possesses of which we are yet to see.
Over feghouli I feel Snodgrass should stay as he has a difference in playing style compared to other wingers or attacking midfielders within the squad. Snodgrass offers qualities of which some players do not have and qualities we can use to our advantage. Snodgrass is a dead ball specialist who can work well with players such as Carroll or the frequently linked Olivier Giroud. Also, Snodgrass even with a partial lack of pace is a hard worker on the pitch something of which is needed especially when seeing out games and defending from the front. I'm not saying Snodgrass should be a starter but with these qualities in his game he is an excellent player to have in around the squad and the first team. Given time we could have the same Snodgrass that was excellent for Hull not so long ago and in Snodgrass's words players do not turn bad overnight.
With players, up for sale within the current squad of players I feel feghouli should be the one to leave not Snodgrass. Feghouli has been at West Ham for near enough a year now and has plenty of chances to impact the squad. Even with a couple of goals last season I feel Feghouli is a player we can sell to our advantage rather than Snodgrass for more money especially with the inflation within the current transfer market. Feghouli is younger and lacks as much premier league experience compared to Snodgrass. Feghouli is much easier to replace with a younger signing who could be a sign of improvement by a large margin the likes of both Thorgan Hazard and Adama traore should be signed as young creative replacements.
Another point for keeping Snodgrass is that he is a great personality to have within the squad. He seems to be great mates with the likes of Collins, Carroll and Noble of whom are all big character in the dressing room as well as his experience to benefit younger members of the team. Being Scottish is another beneficial factor within the means of British talent within the squad and premier league rules set.
Finally, I hope you would all agree that Snodgrass with the backing of supporters can play back to his best in the West Ham shirt and provide goals and assists to the team. With a number of signings, I hope this can be another great year for West Ham. Names linked like Giroud, Batshauyi, Hazard, Troare, Ozyakup or lemina to replace Nordtivet and maybe a keeper will be key in allowing players to develop with factors such as squad depth with quality players will help the squad achieve more in various competitions. Back the team this season and we can aim to achieve our hopes for the season! Transfers may be frustrating now but give it time as the only people who are able to conclude business would be our owners, judge after the window has closed and more importantly there is a lot of time left!
Written by Max Reader
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Triple Hammer of the Year hangs up his boots
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer of the Year Scott Parker has announced his retirement from football. The 36-year-old midfielder confirmed this morning (Wednesday) that he will be hanging up his boots following a professional career that spanned some 20 years. Parker, who was born in Lambeth began his career at Charlton, where he became a first team regular in 2000 following a spell on loan at Norwich City. In 2004 - and much to the annoyance of Addicks Alan Curbishley, who accused Parker of poor conduct - he signed a four-year contract with Chelsea, after the two clubs had agreed a fee in the region of £10million. However his spell at Stamford Bridge was to prove short-lived and unhappy, with a metatarsal injury playing a major role in Parker making just four appearances for Chelsea's first team. Just a year after joining the Blues, Parker was on his way to Newcastle United in a £6.5million deal - although his first season at St James' Park was also blighted by injury with a bout of glandular fever ending his season prematurely in March - thus ruling him out of the 2006 World Cup Finals.
His second season was far more productive and he was named club captain by Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder. But he failed to fully settle on Tyneside and in June 2007 was brought back to London by West Ham's ambitious new Icelandic owners, in a £7million deal. Injury prevented Parker from making his debut for the Hammers until the end of September, and he was sidelined again after making his Premier League debut against Arsenal. However he recovered sufficiently to be voted Signing of the Season by KUMB readers and the KUMB Writers' Player of the Year. Parker was named as Hammer of the Year and KUMB Player of the Year for the first time at the end of the 2008/09 season - an achievement he went on to emulate in 2009/10 and 2010/11, thus becoming the first player to win the award three times consecutively.
However relegation at the end of that season was the beginning of the end for Parker at West Ham. After just four games in the Championship - during which he was accused of not giving 100 per cent, in much the same way as Curbishley had claimed prior to his Chelsea move - he joined Tottenham in deal worth in the region of £5million. Parker spent the next two season at White Hart Lane before moving to Fulham, with whom he ended his career. KUMB would like to wish Scott the very best for his impending retirement.
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New deals for ex-Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
Two former West Ham youngsters have secured contracts with Football League clubs. Blair Turgott, who was released by West Ham in 2015 has joined League Two side Stevenage, having been released by Bromley Town earlier this month.
And fellow former Hammer Stephen Hendrie, who was released on a free transfer last month having failed to make a single competitive appearance for West Ham's first team has agreed a deal with League One Southend, with whom he spent time on loan last season.
Turgott - who also spent time at Coventry and Orient after leaving West Ham - was charged with fraud and money laundering charges back in April. He left Bromley shortly after.
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West Ham's Reece Burke to join Bolton on loan
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 28/06/17 8:18pm
SSN
West Ham defender Reece Burke is expected to join Bolton on a season-long loan. Burke will become manager Phil Parkinson's fourth addition of the summer following the signings of Adam Le Fondre, Mark Little and Andrew Taylor. The 20-year-old, a product of the West Ham academy, has previously spent time on loan at Wigan and Bradford. Burke made his West Ham debut in January 2014 and has since featured a further 11 times for the Hammers. He has also been capped by England at U18, U19 and U20 level.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's Premier League 2 side face a packed pre-season as they prepare for their 2017/18 campaign in Premier League 2 Division 1. After winning promotion in a dramatic Play-Off game at Newcastle United in May, Terry Westley's side will fine-tune their preparations with a series of games in England and overseas.
We take a look at the schedule here
Barnet
Barnet v West Ham United PL2
Saturday 15 July, 3pm
Terry Westley's team kick-off pre-season with a trip to north London, where they will face League 2 side Barnet. The Bees now play at the Hive, which has been their home since leaving Underhill in 2013. Barnet, who are under the management of 32-year-old Rossi Eames, came 15th in League 2 last year and they have made the transition to the EFL well since winning promotion back there in 2015. Ticket information for this fixture will be available soon.
Colchester United v West Ham United PL2
Tuesday 18 July, 7.45pm
Three days later it's a short hop up the A12 and a visit to Colchester United, also of League 2. The U's Weston Homes Community Stadium was opened in 2008 and John McGreal's team only just missed out on the Play-Offs last term, finishing eighth, a point away from the end-of-season shootout. Colchester will fancy their chances of going one better this season, and are sure to provide the Hammers' young professionals with a stern test.
Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge v West Ham United PL2
Saturday 22 July, 3pm
The Hammers' third pre-season fixture is one back on familiar ground, as they take on Dagenham & Redbridge - their host club for PL2 games. Dagenham were back in the National League last term, and almost secured an immediate return to the Football League, only losing out in the Play-Off semis to the eventual promoted team Forest Green Rovers. With veteran manager John Still at the helm, few would bet against the Daggers being in the promotion shake-up once again.
Tour to Slovakia, games v Spartak Trnava & FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce
The Hammers then depart for Slovakia, where they will take on top flight sides Spartak Trnava and FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce. Trnava are three-time runners-up in the Slovak league and finished sixth last term. They have also appeared in European competition for the last three seasons, reaching the third qualifying round of the Europa League last term. FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce were tenth last term and have won the domestic cup once, in 2007.
Billericay Town v West Ham United PL2
Tuesday 8 August, 7.45pm
When the Hammers head back to these shores, they take on Isthmian Premier League side Billericay Town. Billericay have been making waves in the non-league scene with significant investment under owner and manager Glenn Tamplin, with Paul Konchesky and Jamie O'Hara high-profile playing arrivals. They play at New Lodge and will provide Westley's team with their final tune-up before the season gets underway.
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Aaron Cresswell excited by Zabaleta 'quality and experience'
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell believes Pablo Zabaleta's experience and quality will have a hugely positive impact on West Ham United. The Hammers left-back is looking forward to sharing a dressing room, training ground and pitch with the experienced Argentinian, who will formally complete his move to east London from Manchester City on Saturday. Cresswell revealed he had received a glowing report on the new No5 from Joe Hart, who won two Premier League titles alongside Zabaleta at the Etihad Stadium, while on England duty. "Watching him throughout his time with Manchester City, which was nearly a decade, the things Pablo Zabaleta did for that club were fantastic, winning Premier League titles cups and the like," Creswell observed. "He will now bring those qualities, his loyalty and experience to West Ham and his presence will only help us, not only his fellow defenders but the whole team. "I spoke to Joe Hart while I was away with England and Joe could not have spoken any higher of him, saying he is a great teammate, a great lad and top professional. "His quality is there for all to see, so he is a great addition to the squad. Pablo will not only make his presence felt on the pitch, but his experience will rub off on the young lads around the training ground."
Cresswell also reflected positively on his recent international experience, which saw him win a second senior cap in a friendly with France in Paris. The 27-year-old made his Three Lions debut against Spain at Wembley last November, just weeks after returning from a serious knee injury, having been called up as a replacement for injured Leicester City star Danny Drinkwater. This time around, Cresswell was named in Gareth Southgate's original squad and he is hoping a productive pre-season and strong start to the new Premier League campaign will see him keep his place for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with Malta and Slovakia in September. "Obviously it was another proud moment for me and my family to get another cap for England," confirmed the No3, who will return for pre-season training on 10 July after being given a few extra days to recharge his batteries by manager Slaven Bilic. "I enjoyed being part of the squad again and everything that goes with it. "Now, I want to hit the ground running when I come back for pre-season training, because I want to keep my place in the squad and add to my tally of caps in the future. "Last year, I sprained my medial knee ligament in pre-season and was out for three months, which was not a great start, but I then got a shock call-up after only three games as an injury replacement and make my debut against Spain back in November, which was a very proud moment.
"To then get called up again this summer was fantastic and it was great to double my tally in France earlier this month. I'm now looking forward to getting back in for pre-season and putting the hard yards in again."
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Three-time Hammer of the Year Scott Parker announces retirement
WHUFC.com
Three-time Hammer of the Year Scott Parker has thanked West Ham United and the Claret and Blue Army after announcing his retirement from professional football. The England international midfielder enjoyed four outstanding seasons in east London between 2007-11, making 129 appearances, scoring 12 goals and being named Footballer of the Year in 2011. Parker hung up his boots at the age of 36, ending a career that spanned 20 seasons, 572 senior games for West Ham, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Newcastle United Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, 18 England caps and countless crunching tackles and lung-bursting runs. "I have enjoyed so many incredible moments during my career," Parker wrote in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon. "From making my first team debut at Charlton, to playing regularly in the Premier League, playing in the Champions League to then playing in a major tournament for England, as well as ultimately fulfilling a lifelong dream by captaining my country. There are just too many highlights to mention. "I would like to thank everyone at Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham for the unbelievable support that I've been shown throughout my time at each and every one of the club's I've been proud to represent. "Thank you to the fans of all of the clubs that I've been lucky enough to play for. Your support has meant everything to me and you've supported me throughout all of the ups and downs during my career. I hope I was able to repay the faith shown in me by my commitment and performances on the pitch. "I would like to thank all of my teammates over the course of my career as well as the coaches and managers that I've played under. I've learnt a huge amount from everyone that I've worked with that I have no doubt will hugely benefit me in my next career chapter. "When was a boy I dreamt of becoming a professional football player and I feel very honoured to have accomplished my dream. I have always tried to set high standards on and off the pitch. I hope most of all throughout my career I have been a good role model not only to my sons but also to all of my teammates who played with me as well as all those who supported me."
A central midfielder with boundless energy, unrivalled commitment and inspirational leadership qualities, Parker joined West Ham from Newcastle United for £7m in June 2007. Over the next four seasons, he produced arguably the best football of his illustrious career, first under Gianfranco Zola and then during an otherwise disappointing 2010/11 campaign, when his seven goals and sensational personal performances were unable to save the Club from relegation. Parker was voted Hammer of the Year for the first time in 2009, before winning the accolade again in 2010 and 2011, while his form also earned a recall to the senior England squad after a four-and-a-half year absence. Everyone at West Ham United would like to thank Scott for his efforts, for the unforgettable memories he gave us, and wish him well in his retirement and whatever he chooses to do next.
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ROBERT SNODGRASS, DOES HE STAY? OR DOES HE GO?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 28 JUNE 2017 AT 9:05PM
TheWesTHamWay.co.uk
Written by Max Reader @reader_max
Robert Snodgrass was a valuable player at Hull, scoring and regularly getting assists for team mates, at one point looked like an exceptional signing in January. Since then Snodgrass has divided opinion amongst the fans, same say he should go where as others want him to have a chance. I feel we should give Robert Snodgrass a chance especially seeing that we forked out £10.2 million on him we must give him until January with the quality he possesses of which we are yet to see.
Over feghouli I feel Snodgrass should stay as he has a difference in playing style compared to other wingers or attacking midfielders within the squad. Snodgrass offers qualities of which some players do not have and qualities we can use to our advantage. Snodgrass is a dead ball specialist who can work well with players such as Carroll or the frequently linked Olivier Giroud. Also, Snodgrass even with a partial lack of pace is a hard worker on the pitch something of which is needed especially when seeing out games and defending from the front. I'm not saying Snodgrass should be a starter but with these qualities in his game he is an excellent player to have in around the squad and the first team. Given time we could have the same Snodgrass that was excellent for Hull not so long ago and in Snodgrass's words players do not turn bad overnight.
With players, up for sale within the current squad of players I feel feghouli should be the one to leave not Snodgrass. Feghouli has been at West Ham for near enough a year now and has plenty of chances to impact the squad. Even with a couple of goals last season I feel Feghouli is a player we can sell to our advantage rather than Snodgrass for more money especially with the inflation within the current transfer market. Feghouli is younger and lacks as much premier league experience compared to Snodgrass. Feghouli is much easier to replace with a younger signing who could be a sign of improvement by a large margin the likes of both Thorgan Hazard and Adama traore should be signed as young creative replacements.
Another point for keeping Snodgrass is that he is a great personality to have within the squad. He seems to be great mates with the likes of Collins, Carroll and Noble of whom are all big character in the dressing room as well as his experience to benefit younger members of the team. Being Scottish is another beneficial factor within the means of British talent within the squad and premier league rules set.
Finally, I hope you would all agree that Snodgrass with the backing of supporters can play back to his best in the West Ham shirt and provide goals and assists to the team. With a number of signings, I hope this can be another great year for West Ham. Names linked like Giroud, Batshauyi, Hazard, Troare, Ozyakup or lemina to replace Nordtivet and maybe a keeper will be key in allowing players to develop with factors such as squad depth with quality players will help the squad achieve more in various competitions. Back the team this season and we can aim to achieve our hopes for the season! Transfers may be frustrating now but give it time as the only people who are able to conclude business would be our owners, judge after the window has closed and more importantly there is a lot of time left!
Written by Max Reader
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Triple Hammer of the Year hangs up his boots
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammer of the Year Scott Parker has announced his retirement from football. The 36-year-old midfielder confirmed this morning (Wednesday) that he will be hanging up his boots following a professional career that spanned some 20 years. Parker, who was born in Lambeth began his career at Charlton, where he became a first team regular in 2000 following a spell on loan at Norwich City. In 2004 - and much to the annoyance of Addicks Alan Curbishley, who accused Parker of poor conduct - he signed a four-year contract with Chelsea, after the two clubs had agreed a fee in the region of £10million. However his spell at Stamford Bridge was to prove short-lived and unhappy, with a metatarsal injury playing a major role in Parker making just four appearances for Chelsea's first team. Just a year after joining the Blues, Parker was on his way to Newcastle United in a £6.5million deal - although his first season at St James' Park was also blighted by injury with a bout of glandular fever ending his season prematurely in March - thus ruling him out of the 2006 World Cup Finals.
His second season was far more productive and he was named club captain by Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder. But he failed to fully settle on Tyneside and in June 2007 was brought back to London by West Ham's ambitious new Icelandic owners, in a £7million deal. Injury prevented Parker from making his debut for the Hammers until the end of September, and he was sidelined again after making his Premier League debut against Arsenal. However he recovered sufficiently to be voted Signing of the Season by KUMB readers and the KUMB Writers' Player of the Year. Parker was named as Hammer of the Year and KUMB Player of the Year for the first time at the end of the 2008/09 season - an achievement he went on to emulate in 2009/10 and 2010/11, thus becoming the first player to win the award three times consecutively.
However relegation at the end of that season was the beginning of the end for Parker at West Ham. After just four games in the Championship - during which he was accused of not giving 100 per cent, in much the same way as Curbishley had claimed prior to his Chelsea move - he joined Tottenham in deal worth in the region of £5million. Parker spent the next two season at White Hart Lane before moving to Fulham, with whom he ended his career. KUMB would like to wish Scott the very best for his impending retirement.
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New deals for ex-Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 28th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
Two former West Ham youngsters have secured contracts with Football League clubs. Blair Turgott, who was released by West Ham in 2015 has joined League Two side Stevenage, having been released by Bromley Town earlier this month.
And fellow former Hammer Stephen Hendrie, who was released on a free transfer last month having failed to make a single competitive appearance for West Ham's first team has agreed a deal with League One Southend, with whom he spent time on loan last season.
Turgott - who also spent time at Coventry and Orient after leaving West Ham - was charged with fraud and money laundering charges back in April. He left Bromley shortly after.
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West Ham's Reece Burke to join Bolton on loan
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 28/06/17 8:18pm
SSN
West Ham defender Reece Burke is expected to join Bolton on a season-long loan. Burke will become manager Phil Parkinson's fourth addition of the summer following the signings of Adam Le Fondre, Mark Little and Andrew Taylor. The 20-year-old, a product of the West Ham academy, has previously spent time on loan at Wigan and Bradford. Burke made his West Ham debut in January 2014 and has since featured a further 11 times for the Hammers. He has also been capped by England at U18, U19 and U20 level.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, June 28
Daily WHUFC News - 28th June 2017
Portugal call-up Domingos Quina for UEFA U19 European Championship
WHUFC.co
Midfielder Domingos Quina has been called up to Portugal's U19 squad for the upcoming UEFA European Championship. Quina and Portugal get their campaign underway against hosts Georgia on July 2 before two more group matches against Czech Republic three days later and then Sweden on July 8. The young star has enjoyed a terrific first season at West Ham United, since joining from Chelsea last summer, and his call up to the Portugal camp is another huge achievement in the 17-year-old's young career. He was part of the national squad that won the UEFA U17 European Championship last year and Quina believes the team can draw on the success from last year as this year's tournament progresses. "I'm not sure if [last year] will help at the start because we have to make sure we get through the group first but if we get through to final, we can start thinking about last year because we won," he said. "We know we are ready for the competition and we know we have a long way to go to get to the final. "I'm happy to be selected because it's a unique competition for the U19s and I cannot wait to get started and show people what I can do."
Portugal's U17 triumph last summer kickstarted a wonderful year for Quina on a personal level. I'm happy to be selected because it's a unique competition for the U19s and I cannot wait to get started and show people what I can do. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic spotted Quina's talent within weeks of his arrival in east London and he made the young star a regular at first team training sessions at Rush Green. The midfielder's main source of game time came with Terry Westley's U23s and he produced a moment of magic in the Hammers first Premier League Cup fixture of the season, lobbing the Leicester City goalkeeper from the halfway line in a 2-0 victory at Loughborough University. Just a few weeks later, Quina was nominated for the October Premier League 2 Player of the Month. He continued his consistent performances in the heart of the Hammers PL2 midfield throughout the season and, despite missing the promotion run-in through injury, Quina won the Dylan Tombides Award at the Player Awards evening in May after being recognised as the outstanding player from the Academy of Football.
Quina has also had a taste of first team matchdays after being named on the bench 12 times in Premier League fixtures over the course of the season, and he hopes to achieve his dream of making a full West Ham debut next season. "I wasn't expecting this year to go as well as it has but I always believe in my ability and I know what I can do," he continued. "Last year could have been even better if my dream [of playing for the West Ham first team] came true but I know I still have a lot to learn and hopefully that will happen."
Like Quina, goalkeeper Nathan Trott will also be at the U19 Euros in Georgia after being selected in the England squad. You can watch the progress of our young stars on Eurosport when the tournament gets underway on July 2.
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Nearly 5,000 seats sold for West Ham United's Altona test
WHUFC.com
Nearly 5,000 tickets have already been sold for West Ham United's pre-season tour fixture at German side Altona 93.
The visit of the Hammers to the Hamburg-based club has clearly caught the imagination of fans in Germany's second-largest city, with the Adolf-Jäger-Kampfbahn stadium set to be rocking come kick-off at 6.30pm CEST on Tuesday 1 August.
Altona 93 spokesman Andy Sude said the competitive ticket prices had encouraged thousands of home supporters to see their team take on the visiting Premier Leaguers.
Tickets for West Ham supporters in the Stehplatz Gaster – Guest Terrace – section can be purchased online for just €10 now here.
"We are very happy that we can present these treats to our spectators and football fans in and around Hamburg," said Sude.
"It's been a few years since a Premier League club has played in Hamburg and we are sure that many football fans are looking forward to this event at our time-honoured Adolf-Jäger-Kampfbahn."
Secure your Altona 93 tickets now!
Altona 93 enjoyed a fine 2016/17 season, finishing third in the Oberliga Hamburg – the regional fifth tier of German football – before missing out on promotion by a single goal in the promotion play-offs.
Founded in 1893 as a cricket club by a group of local students, Altona became a football club a year later and were one of the founder members of the German Football Association. They were crowned Northern Germany champions in 1909 and 1914 and twice reached the semi-finals of the German Cup in 1955 and 1964.
The Hammers will spend ten days in Germany and, prior to facing Altona, will tackle Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen in the Betway Cup at the Sportzentrum Osterwald, Schneverdingen at 6.30pm CEST on Friday 28 July. Tickets for this match, priced at €15 for Adults and €10 for Concessions, can be bought here.
The two historic clubs will square-off again the following afternoon at 3.30pm CEST in a second Betway Cup tie at the Heinz-Dettmer-Stadion in Lohne. Seats for this fixture priced at €25 for Adults and €15 for Children, and standing tickets priced at €15/€8 respectively, are available online here.
West Ham will return to Germany for the fourth time in the last six summers next month, having competed in the Schalke 04 Cup in Gelsenkirchen in 2014, faced 1. FSV Mainz, SV Hamburg and Eintracht Braunschweig in 2013 and FC Rot-Weiss Erfurt, SG Dynamo Dresden and Energie Cottbus in 2012.
The Hammers also faced Germany opposition last summer in the shape of Bilic's former club Karlsruher SC in Austria, while Slaven Bilic's side also welcomed Werder Bremen to the Boleyn Ground for the Betway Cup in August 2015.
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ARE WEST HAM SET TO SMASH THEIR RECORD TRANSFER FEE IN THE BID TO SIGN OLIVIER GIROUD FROM LONDON RIVALS ARSENAL?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 27 JUNE 2017 AT 8:32PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Thomas Nott
According to national newspaper 'The Telegraph' that might not be the only thing that they will break this window with West Ham looking to match or slightly increase on Giroud's £120,000 a week contract at Arsenal, this would see Giroud become West Ham's highest paid player overtaking Dimitri Payet (£125,000).
However, any deal for Giroud will only be struck if Arsenal are successful in their pursuit of Alexandre Lacazette from Olympique Lyonnais for a reported fee worth £49 million (€55.7 million). With Lyon recently signing Bertrand Traoré from Chelsea in a deal worth £8.8 million after recently coming off a good season with Ajax picking up 13 goals and 6 assists last season playing as a versatile player playing in multiple positions.
West Ham however, will have competition from Lyon for Giroud's signature if Lacazette is set to leave. Giroud however, confirmed to French television show Telefoot that he is not interested in returning to Ligue 1. "I am not insensitive to the approaches of the French clubs and especially that of Marseille… But my future is in the Premier League".
With Arsène Wenger currently reluctant to sell Giroud until he has signed another striker West Ham could be made to wait to make any contact with Giroud and his representatives. However French newspaper L'Equipe has reported that Wenger has told Giroud he is free to leave in his quest to find first team football.
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REMEMBERING WEST HAM'S LAST "£20 MILLION" STRIKER
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 27 JUNE 2017 AT 9:41PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Dwayne Hawkins
He had pace that belied his size and a hunger to prove himself at the highest level of English Football. A poacher with the innate ability to find the back of the net with both his head and his feet, Dean Ashton was arguably the most natural goal scorer England had produced since Jermaine Defoe and would produce until the emergence of Daniel Sturridge and Harry Kane.
Ashton joined the Hammers at 22 years old for an initial fee of £7 Million – an amount that could easily be triple that in today's market. How far he could have gone and what he could have achieved in game we will never know as he was forced to cut his career short and call time only four years later.
In the 2005/2006 West Ham had just made their return to the Premier League. After finishing sixth in the Championship and getting promoted through the play offs the clubs early form stunned critics and pundits as they made a mockery of early predictions of a relegation battle by dabbling in the top half of the league. Yet, the strike force did need some work. Boasting Marlon Harewood – who was in the midst of his best spell for the club – an ageing Teddy Sheringham, the all glitz but no goals Jeremy Aliadiere and Bobby Zamora who had not yet been able to turn in the level of performances at the top level that we would see from him in the following season. It was clear as it has been for so many years since that we were lacking some firepower. Alan Pardew would turn to one of the most talented prospects in the country and for a record fee, Dean Ashton would be set to lead the line for West Ham for years to come.
His career would begin in 2000 as a 17 year old coming through the ranks at Crewe Alexandra. He would be described later by his first manager Dario Grodi as "the best finisher he had ever worked with". His first professional goal came aged 18 in a 4-2 victory over Burnley. He would end his first season with eight crucial goals in Crewe's fight against relegation the first division. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising young strikers in the country and would go on to score 61 goals in 158 appearances for Crewe. He would represent England at Under 17's, Under 19's and Under 20 level. He made a scoring debut for the Under 21 side in a 3-2 victory against the Netherlands on the 17th February 2004 after converting a cross from future strike partner Carlton Cole. He would make a further 8 appearances for the Under 21 side, scoring 3 goals.
Ashton would soon get the chance to prove himself in the Premiership when he signed for Norwich for a then club record fee of £3 million in January 2005. He made an instant impact by scoring on his home debut in a 4-4 draw against Middlesboro and would go on to prove that he was more than capable of playing in the highest division by bagging 7 goals in 16 games. Unfortunately his goals were not enough to save Norwich from relegation that season.
On the 22nd January 2006 West Ham announced the signing of Dean Ashton. He made his debut during the 3-2 victory against Arsenal, helping the Hammers to become the last team to defeat Arsenal at Highbury. He then scored 3 in his next 3 games in victories against Sunderland and Birmingham and a 2-2 draw with Everton. He was pivotal in the FA Cup run of that season, scoring twice to sink Manchester City in the Quarter Finals before doubling the Hammer's lead in the ill-fated cup final against Liverpool. Dean Ashton had made an impressive start to his West Ham career, leading the line with guile and fortitude that made him a thorn in the side of any defence he came up against. He had the dream of representing his country at the 2006 World Cup. His form in the second half of the season, coupled with his work rate and natural goal scoring ability suggests he should have been given that chance. Instead then England Manager Sven Goran Erickson picked unproven 17 year old prospect Theo Walcott as his fourth striker instead of Ashton.
He got his opportunity to fulfil his dream for the first time in August 2006. Unfortunately it was an incident in a training session that had geared toward him starting in a friendly against that would mar and define his career. A challenge by international team mate and then Chelsea player , Shaun Wright Phillips, that would shatter his ankle. Left on the side-lines to go through a gruelling rehabilitation, Ashton could do nothing but watch as his opportunity to play for England would come and go. In his absence West Ham would struggle domestically and flirt with relegation before dramatically surviving on the final day of the season.
Dean Ashton would work his way back to something resembling fitness for the beginning of the 2007/2008 season. The loss of cartilage in his ankle was so severe that his bones were rubbing together when he ran, something he once described as making a "crunching" sound. Despite still being in pain the desire to return to the pitch would win out and even though he was never anything close to 100 percent he ended the season with 12 goals. In June 2008 he would finally make his England international debut in the friendly against Trinidad and Tobago. After scoring twice on the opening day of 2008/2009 season Dean Ashton would sprain his already injured ankle in training. He underwent a procedure to fuse the two fragmented pieces of bone together and on the 11th December 2009, he would follow medical advice and retire from professional football, aged only 26.
In an era where players regularly do not reach their potential because of outside distractions and fragile mind-sets Dean Ashton stands alone as a man who had the hunger, the drive and most importantly the ability to be a striker of the highest quality. He was tenacious and graceful, and to this day aged only 33 still has the eye for goal that the Hammers so often lack – as he reminded us all with his overhead kick during his cameo appearance at Mark Noble's testimonial last season. With the exception of the short spells of Carlos Tevez and arguably Demba Ba, the club have been unable to replace with anyone who had the same quality that he had and certainly not with anyone who had the potential to be the player he could have become.
Looking back on a career that should have lasted a lot longer we are left thinking how different the last ten years could have been if we had had a striker who had half the ability of putting the ball in the back of the net that Deano had.
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Giroud deal in the balance
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's attempt to sign Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud are dependent on Lyon signing a replacement for Gunners target Alexandre Lacazette. Lacazette - who was courted by West Ham last summer, to no avail - is set to join the North London club in the near future. However Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has insisted that he will not allow the 26-year-old to leave until such time as he has signed an adequate replacement. And the knock-on effect of Aulas' decision is that Giroud - who has expressed a preference to remain in London, despite offers from France, including Lyon - cannot join West Ham until Lacazette has been signed. "Our position is that as long as we have not signed his [Lacazette's] replacement, we will keep him," Aulas said. "He expressed a wish to leave and he was given an agreement to go to the club of his heart, but things did not happen."
Lyon recently signed forward Bertrand Traore from Chelsea in a deal worth just under £9million, but Aulus insists that he is seeking at least one more striker before he will allow Lacazette to leave. Meanwhile West Ham continue to chase his namesake, the £8million-rated Adama Traore, who is moving closer to a move away from current club Middlesbrough.
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Hammers snubbed by young striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's attempt to sign Eupen's Henry Onyekuru collapsed this morning when the striker opted to join Everton instead. Despite having chased the talented youngster for several weeks, the Hammers were pipped to the post by the Merseysiders who have agreed an undisclosed fee with his former club.
As part of the deal, Onyekuru - who had also been heavily linked with Arsenal - will return to Belgium in order to join Anderlecht on a season-long loan as he was unable to secure a work permit in the UK for the forthcoming season.
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Enner Valencia transfer bid rejected by West Ham
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 27/06/17 5:56pm
SSN
West Ham have turned down an offer for Enner Valencia from Mexican side Tigres, according to Sky sources. Sky Sports News HQ understands the Hammers are keen to offload the forward this summer and remain hopeful a deal can be struck. Valencia joined West Ham from Mexican side Pachuca for £12.5m in 2014 after impressing for Ecuador at the World Cup in Brazil. The 27-year-old struggled for consistency following his move to the Premier League and managed to score only 10 goals in 66 appearances for West Ham. Valencia spent last season on loan at Everton after being told he was surplus to requirements at West Ham by manager Slaven Bilic. He scored only three goals in 23 appearances and Everton decided not to activate the option to make his move to Goodison Park permanent at the end of last season.
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EXCLUSIVE Q&A WITH EXWHUEMPLOYEE – ALL THINGS WEST HAM
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
As always during transfer season, West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee will be providing all the information you need to know about the Hammers' transfer business and other snippets on The West Ham Way. Make sure you tune into Phoenix 98.0 FM Wednesday evenings for 'The West Ham Way Radio Show' – listen live here tomorrow from 7 PM.
In the first of hopefully many Q&A's with Ex over the course of the summer, we sat down with the West Ham insider to discuss the club's summer transfer plans and what he feels about some of the major talking points surrounding the club right now.
1) If reported figures are to be believed, West Ham spent in the region of £70m on transfers during the 2016/17 season. Do you think the club plan to go even bigger this season?
I wouldn't say the budget is that big, well not that I have heard. The budget has been added to due to the sales of Nordtveit and soon to be Valencia but in my opinion, the figure that I have heard as the budget is slightly below what I think is required to really improve us so some shrewd deals are needed.
2) The club earmarked ~£20m of their budget last season for the permanent transfer of Simone Zaza which never materialised. This, in addition to the reported £25m the club received for the sale of Dimitri Payet in January, hands us, in theory at least, an extra £45m of funds to spend that wasn't originally budgeted for. Are the club planning to use this cash on multiple big-ticket signings or make one big splash and supplement the squad with 'lesser' additions?
It really depends on who is available but I think the club have learnt from their mistakes last year and will be investing a bigger amount in at least one forward but probably two. We would pay over £20m for either Giroud, Iheanacho and Bathsuayi. I think we could also spend a fair amount on a new winger too.
3) West Ham have allowed Reece Oxford to leave on loan, with Reece Burke likely to follow. In your opinion, is this the right move, or should they have been given a look in the first-team squad?
I think it is the right move for Oxford who hasn't really shown what he can do on a loan yet and I think he will learn a lot from playing in Germany. I am, however, disappointed that Burke hasn't been given his chance. I think he has proven himself on loan at Bradford before injuries affect his time at Wigan and he looked good in his few games in the Claret and Blue and I would have liked to have seen him stick around and feature maybe in some cup games and be in and around the squad. I suspect there will be a number of youngsters who will leave on loan this summer.
4) Havard Nordtveit has also left the club. He joins Jonathan Calleri, Simone Zaza and Alvaro Arbeloa on an ever-growing list of transfer failures from last summer. Do you think the club still have faith in Slaven Bilic to recruit the right players?
I think the board, Tony Henry and Bilic all have to take an element of responsibility for the failure of some of those signings. I think Bilic proved in his first season he can bring in talent so I see this year as a make or break one in the transfer market.
5) West Ham switched between multiple different formations last season. What do you think is their best formation moving forward? Also, do you think the club will recruit players to fit this system, seeing as last summer the players brought in were seen as more versatile options and haven't really been successful?
I suspect that we have bought Zabaleta to play at right back which to me suggest we will be playing a 4-2-2-1-1 formation which is similar to what we played last year for the majority of games. Players will be brought in with this formation in mind. I think we also have the option of bringing in Byram and going for five at the back with wing backs if we need it.
6) Bilic's future was a big talking point during last season – have the club made the right decision to stick with him?
I believe that they have. Despite what people on other social media tended to believe about me I backed the manager and felt he should have been given this season to prove himself. Don't get me wrong, he made a lot of mistakes last year especially with playing players out of position but I felt with the circumstances around the stadium and Payet he deserved a third season as a make or break one. At the end of the day, 11th wasn't a bad position in the end if you ignore some of the dreadful performances.
7) Where do you think the Hammers need to strengthen the most going into next season, and what are the plans to address them?
It has to be the forward position. We have lacked a great goalscorer for so long now. We are probably going as far back as Dean Ashton to the last one. The plans are to buy at least two top forwards and those names have been well and truly covered in my columns.
8) We start next season with three straight away games. Given our up and down form at the London Stadium last season, do you think this could be a positive thing?
It could be a good thing and away games are always more fun for the fans that go then the home fans so if we pick up some good results the season starts in a positive way. That said though, it is harder to play away and we have some tough teams thrown in so personally, I don't think it is a good thing. I would rather play Newcastle further into the season too when they have been found out a little more. Newly promoted teams usually start better than they finish.
9) Finally, Kelechi Iheanacho and Olivier Giroud are two hot names being linked with West Ham at the moment. Who do you think would be the best fit at the club?
I personally would take either of them. I think we are crying out for proven forwards and I wouldn't turn my nose up at either. Given the choice out of the two, I think I would sign Kelechi but that is more down to his age and his potential development.
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West Ham fans will be livid if Everton sign Onyekuru and loan him straight out
HITC
Vincent Ralph
West Ham United have been linked with a move for the attacker all summer but it seems Everton have beaten them to the punch. According to a report from nieuwsblad.be, Everton have reached an agreement to sign Eupen forward Henry Onyekuru, and while that would come as a bitter blow for his alleged suitors West Ham United, it is the Toffees' short-term plans for the player that will really rile Hammers supporters. The report states that Everton will immediately loan Onyekuru to Anderlecht, so not only are they signing a player West Ham have somehow let slip through their fingers, but they are not even going to use him next season.
Earlier this month, Own Goal Nigeria reported that West Ham made an improved £9million offer for the 20-year-old, after seeing an initial £7million bid rejected by Eupen. And while the Hammers can only do so much in pursuit of a player, one wonders if they really did enough in this instance. After all, the Nigerian scored 24 goals and provided nine assists for the Belgian club last season and he is exactly what West Ham need to ensure they improve in Slaven Bilic's third year at the helm.
Considering the cut-price fee it would have taken to get a deal over the line, the West Ham hierarchy should have been moving heaven and earth to get a deal done. While no official announcement has yet been made, if Everton do complete a deal and send him to Anderlecht, Hammers supporters can only sit and wonder what might have been, losing out on a player to a club who do not yet need him.
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ONYEKURU JOINS EVERTON
Date: 27th June 2017 at 12:38pm
Written by: Forever Westham
West Ham target Henry Onyekuru has joined Everton and will spend the next 12 months on loan at Belgian side Anderlecht, say reports from Daily Mail journalists on Twitter. The Hammers were allegedly close to signing the Nigerian only earlier this month, but having failed to meet his release clause, it now appears they have lost out to Premier League rivals Everton, who have made the Nigerian star their third signing of the summer.
Dominic King ✔ @DominicKing_DM
Everton have completed a deal for Henry Onyekuru, last season's top scorer in Belgium. He will spend next 12 months on loan at Anderlecht
12:24 PM - 27 Jun 2017 · Krakow, Poland
234 234 Retweets 190 190 likes
The Toffees have already spent over £50 million on Sunderland's Jordan Pickford and Ajax's Davy Klaassen. Reports state that a deal for the 20-year-old forward was completed late last night after a successful medical at Everton's Finch Farm training facility. Onyekuru, formerly a target of Arsenal, scored an impressive 22 times in his breakthrough season for Eupen, finishing as the Belgian First Division's joint top scorer. West Ham have only signed one player so far this summer, that being Pablo Zabaleta from Manchester City, however are yet to spend any money despite being linked with a number of high profile players, including Onyekuru and most recently Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.
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West Ham bid £20m for Kelechi Iheanacho; Manchester City yet to respond
HITC
Vincent Ralph
It seems West Ham United have not given up their pursuit of the Manchester City forward just yet. According to a report from Sky Sports, West Ham United have submitted a £20million bid for Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, with the Blues yet to respond to the offer. The Hammers have been linked with the 20-year-old for much of the summer, but there appeared to be complications regarding City's insistence on a buyback clause. Given the striker's undeniable talent, it is no surprise that City are only willing to part company with the Nigerian international if they can sign him back at a later date for a previously agreed fee. And while West Ham may be loath to agree to such a clause, it could be the only way they can get a deal over the line. The Hammers need quality strikers now and Iheanacho is certainly that, proven in the Premier League, desperate for regular starts and with the innate talent to improve considerably over the next few years. Iheanacho has already scored 21 goals and provided eight assists for the Blues and he now needs to be playing week in, week out in order to really fulfil his potential. In an inflated transfer market, £20million for such a talented striker could prove to be a steal and West Ham manager Slaven Bilic will be desperately hoping City agree despite the interest of Leicester City. It is unlikely to be long before Pep Guardiola's side respond, and West Ham will either get some great news or potentially have to look elsewhere for a new striker they simply cannot do without next season.
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West Ham and Leicester keen on Thorgan Hazard
HITC
Antony Martin
West Ham United and Leicester City are keen on the Monchengladbach man. Reports emanating from France today suggest that three Premier League clubs including the Hammers and the Foxes are interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach star Thorgan Hazard, according to French media outlet Foot Mercato. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder - brother of Chelsea's Eden Hazard, enjoyed a successful campaign in the Bundesliga last term, scoring six goals and chipping in with four assists in 23 outings for his club. Foot Mercato claim that West Ham and Leicester's interest in the Belgian has intensified following his impressive showings last season, and they have been joined in the race to sign him by fellow Premier League side Stoke City. Hazard would be a useful signing for all of the aforementioned clubs, and the fact that he can play anywhere along the front-line, even in the centre-forward position, would surely be a huge attraction to any potential suitors. The former Chelsea star has just two years remaining on his current deal with Gladbach, so now would seemingly be the ideal time to sell him, as far as his peak value is concerned. From all the clubs listed as holding an interest in the Belgian, the Hammers are arguably the team most in need of someone of Hazard's quality. Slaven Bilic is desperately looking to bolster his forward options, and the potential addition of Hazard could be just what the club needs to help them kick on next season.
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From Giroud to Iheanacho to Onyekuru - the epic list of forwards linked with West Ham
With West Ham desperate to sign a new frontman this summer, this list is exhaustive
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
10:07, 27 JUN 2017
With pre-season training already just a little more than a week away, the West Ham have yet to make their move in the transfer market to find a desperately needed striker. The Hammers were somewhat goal-shy last season with the constant injuries to Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho featuring just three times, with the onus on Michail Antonio to score the goals. Loan moves for Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri completely flopped, while Ashley Fletcher wasn't trusted enough either. The club has been searching for a new frontman for the best part of 12 months and have been linked with a host of forwards but as yet, none of them have arrived in E20. Here, we look at just some of the forwards the club have been touted to make moves for so far this summer.
Olivier Giroud
West Ham are prepared to break the bank for the Arsenal forward, according to reports, with West Ham wanting to entice Giroud with £130,000 a week wages. The Arsenal striker has been heavily linked with the Hammers as the Gunners chase Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, paving the way for Giroud to move on.
Kelechi Iheanacho
The Nigerian forward has been heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium for a few weeks now and, if reports are to be believed, he could soon be signing on the dotted line if the buy-back clause issue can be sorted out. The Hammers are in need of a striker and Iheanacho ticks all the boxes for West Ham.
Shane Long
West Ham have been linked with Long in the past and it seems Bilic is keen to finally get his man. The Ireland striker could be open to a move having spent most of last season on the bench at Southampton.
Michy Batshuayi
Batshuayi scored the goal that won Chelsea the league last season but his future could lie away from Stamford Bridge. West Ham seems a likely destination for the Belgian, whether that be on loan or a permanent deal.
Jermain Defoe
The Hammers were keen on signing Defoe in January but they could not strike a deal with Sunderland for their former striker. Bournemouth are said to be in talks for the England international, although the deal is yet to go through despite reports last week that it was close to completion.
Martin Braithwaite
Denmark international Braithwaite has put clubs on red alert by saying he wants to depart Toulouse this summer. West Ham and Southampton are interested in the 25-year-old but they would face competition from a number of Bundesliga clubs for his signature.
Islam Slimani
Slimani only joined Leicester last season but he could already be on his way out of the club following his £29million move. The Hammers, as well as West Brom, are interested, although a move back to Portugal looks more likely to happen.
Mario Mandzukic
The Croat will be in Champions League final action tomorrow evening but reports suggest that could be his last game for the club.
Bilic is believed to want to bring his fellow compatriot to east London but Besiktas are lining up a move for the frontman.
Max Kruse
Kruse is yet another name to be linked with the club as they bid to strengthen upfront ahead of the new season. German paper Bild suggest the Hammers, Everton, West Brom, Southampton and Stoke City are all lining up moves for the 15-goal striker in the summer.
Henry Onyekuru
The 18-year-old forward is attracting attention from no less than eight Premier League teams but it was West Ham who showed their hand first. Issues over obtaining a work permit for the Nigerian are now resolved but the Hammers will have to work hard to get the in-demand striker over other clubs.
Anthony Modeste
The striker who flopped at Blackburn a few years back has undergone a transformation at Koln and has been scoring goals for fun, leading to the inevitable links with West Ham. However, the club absolutely baulked at the whopping £40m price tag slapped on his head by his clubs and Modeste is now set for a move to China.
Lucas Muriel
Sampdoria's Luis Muriel is the latest name added to the long list of strikers West Ham have been linked with. The Colombian caught the eye in Serie A last season and is reported to have attracted interest from Spain and England, as well as fellow clubs in Italy.
Yann Karamoh
Another youngster who had a good season on the continent, the Ivorian star is ready to leave Ligue 1 side Caen. The Hammers have been linked with a £9m bid for the forward, who made his breakthrough last season, scoring five goals and adding four assists.
Theo Walcott
The Hammers were reportedly readying a £25m for the Arsenal star, who can play up front but is more suited to a wing role. Walcott is concerned a new formation at Arsenal could hamper his England chances in the future and Slaven Bilic is ready to rescue him but the links didn't go down well with Hammers fans.
Lucas Perez
Another Arsenal forward attracting Hammers interest, he has struggled to break through into Arsene Wenger's plans following his move from Deportivo last summer, much to the annoyance of Gunners fans. A return to Spain is more likely and that will be accelerated if Arsenal sign a new forward.
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The Curious Case of Arbeloa Unfolds
verywestham.com
Alvaro Arbeloa arrived at West Ham from Real Madrid with much expectation that he would tighten up a porous defence by bringing his experience to the right back position that has so troubled Slaven Bilic's reign as West Ham manager. However, Arbeloa quickly fell out of favour after a number (three actually) of lukewarm performances and was suddenly out of the frame even despite Sam Byram picking up an injury.
In truth, many Hammers fans were bemused and befuddled by the whole affair. Arbeloa had no apparent injury issues and his history pointed towards a consummate professional. Just exactly what was wrong was very unclear indeed. However, announcing his retirement today, Arbeloa spoke to La Marca and shed some light on his difficulties at West Ham citing that it was not a physical problem but rather " in the end it was a head and motivational issue".
Arbeloa went on to describe how he has no interest in playing in the lucrative US or Chinese Leagues as for him they represent something that he finds less appealing about modern football. Hammers fans will note that he found motivation an issue despite his rumoured £50k per week wage! As the 15th richest club in the world, surely it's time for West Ham to stop buying past it burned out players who lack the desire that a club with our ambitions needs?
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West Ham and Arsenal on alert as Everton join race for wonderkid Henry Onyekuru - report
The Hammers were said to be leading the race, but interest from the Toffees may have changed things
Football London
BYADAM JONES
07:45, 27 JUN 2017UPDATED08:08, 27 JUN 2017
West Ham and Arsenal could be set to lose out on Belgian wonderkid Henry Onyekuru after Everton joined the race for the Nigerian youngster. Both London clubs were said to be battling it out for the 20-year-old - with a fee of around £7 million rumoured by many.
In fact, it was the Hammers who were said to be leading the race according to many recent reports, with Onyekuru claiming that he would turn down any move to an elite club in favour of regular first-team football. However, interest from Everton might have changed the scenario. According to Belgian publication DH, the Toffees would try to sign the winger and then immediately loan him out to Belgian champions Anderlecht to pick up more first-team experience in a league he knows well. The 20-year-old bagged an impressive 22 goals in 38 league appearances last campaign - and also claimed 14 assists. It is yet to be seen whether another year in Belgium would tempt Onyekuru before a guaranteed move to Goodison Park, with Onyekuru having gained an entry visa to the UK but not a full work permit, as was reported last week.
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West Ham reportedly ready to activate £24million release clause to sign South American striker
By Eshlin Vedan - June 27, 2017 0
According to reports, West Ham are interested in signing unsettled Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel and have not been put off by the £24 million buy-out clause in the players' contract. Hammers manager Slaven Bilic is looking to add new strikers to his squad this summer, especially given that Michail Antonio, who plays as a midfielder, was the club's top scorer this past season with nine strikes. Muriel bagged 11 goals in the Serie A this past season and has also reportedly attracted the interest of Leicester City, Roma and Inter Milan.
After two seasons at Sampadoria, Muriel appeared to indicate recently that he is open to leaving the club by saying, "There are a lot of rumours about me and my agent told me he will only call with something concrete. He has not called me yet and hope he will within the next few days."
Muriel is very highly rated and has been nicknamed the Colombian Ronaldo.
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West Ham looking into Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott transfers from Arsenal
Mark Brus for Metro.co.uk
Tuesday 27 Jun 2017 8:45 am
West Ham are reportedly keen on both Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott at Arsenal in this summer's transfer window, though they're likely to only sign one of them. The Hammers are ready to spend big on new attacking players this summer, and have also been linked several times with Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho in that position. However, latest reports suggest they could be focusing on swooping for one of two Arsenal forwards, with Giroud valued at £20million and the most realistic target for Slaven Bilic's side.
The France international looks most likely to make way this summer as Arsenal close in on their own big-money signing of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette in a club-record move. According to Goal, West Ham are also admirers of Walcott, 28, though are slightly put off by the England international's £30m price tag at the Emirates Stadium. Walcott had one of his most personally successful seasons in an Arsenal shirt last term, scoring 19 goals in all competitions – his second highest tally in a single season for the Gunners. Giroud, however, played less often and has suggested he isn't happy to continue being used in a super-sub role. '(Arsene) Wenger is counting on me even though he hasn't used me much,' Giroud said earlier this month. 'I will not settle for limited playing time (next season) like I have this season.' West Ham have reportedly already held initial talks over signing Giroud, who would be offered a four-year contract worth £100,000 per week at the London Stadium.
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TO LOAN OR NOT TO LOAN?
By Dan Coker 27 Jun 2017 at 08:00
WTID
I'll lay my cards on the table from the outset – I personally am a big believer in the loan system. Our big successes from youth to first team level have all benefited from time in the lower leagues. Frank Lampard Junior spent a month at Swansea, while Rio Ferdinand went to Bournemouth. Joe Cole was the exception to the rule as he was fast-tracked to the first team but Michael Carrick had short spells at Swindon and Birmingham. Jermain Defoe had a highly successful stint at Bournemouth and Glen Johnson played a handful of games for Millwall. Mark Noble spent time at Hull and Ipswich while, more recently, James Tomkins had a spell at Derby before becoming a Hammers regular.
Of course, along the way, there are loan spells that didn't work out. Freddie Sears showed at Crystal Palace that he would find it difficult to replicate his excellent youth team form at full league level and he subsequently struggled with the Hammers in the Premier League. Martin Samuelsen and Marcus Browne had disappointing, disrupted spells at Championship level last season while Reece Burke's encouraging development was hampered by a hip injury at Wigan. Conversely, Josh Cullen had an excellent spell at Bradford, following in the footsteps of Burke the season before.
Another factor to throw in of course is that West Ham United's Under-23s recently secured promotion to the top flight of PL2, ensuring their place amongst the best players in their age group. It is of the utmost importance that this elite position is not relinquished. This brings with it a precarious balancing act of sending young players out on loan to gain experience in the Football League, while simultaneously leaving enough quality players to ensure the Under-23 side can adequately compete.
As an aside, I'm very much of the opinion that Reece Oxford has secured a fantastic temporary switch to a very good side in one of the best leagues in the world and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish him the very best of luck at Borussia Monchengladbach. As it currently stands, he will be facing the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Robert Lewandowski, Anthony Modeste, Timo Werner and Mario Gomez next season. It will be a great experience for young Reece and, in my opinion, will be a huge boost to his development and only serve to benefit West Ham United in the long run.
In this article, I give my opinions on which Hammers starlets should be retained and who else, alongside Oxford, would benefit from loan spells.
Reece Burke – LOAN
Burke had a fantastic 2015/16 campaign on loan in League One with Bradford but his spell at Wigan in the Championship last season was disrupted by injury. With Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna, James Collins and Jose Fonte ahead of him in the current pecking order, a further spell out on loan in the Championship may be best for the 20-year-old's development. However, we should look to find him a bigger and better club than we did last season, ideally somewhere where he can play at a big stadium in front of expectant home fans.
Declan Rice – RETAIN
With Oxford and possibly Burke out on loan, the Under-23s will need a centre-half who can help them keep clean sheets. 18-year-old skipper Rice is the ideal man to stay and help his troops through the top-flight transition.
Josh Cullen – LOAN
Cullen (pictured above) had an excellent time at Bradford last season but the jump from League One football to the Premier League is a huge one. The next logical step for the 21-year-old is a similar stint in the Championship. As with Bradford in the league below, a club competing at the top end of the division would only help Cullen's confidence levels.
Marcus Browne – RETAIN
Browne's loan spell at Wigan was not far short of a disaster. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder will almost certainly need a serious boost to his confidence and staying with the Hammers as a top-flight Academy player will hopefully help do that for him.
Martin Samuelsen – RETAIN
Another who had a disastrous loan spell last season, this time at Blackburn. A very promising stint in League One the previous campaign with Peterborough was not built on at Ewood Park, again highlighting the concerns regarding sending players to clubs who struggle against relegation. The 20-year-old, already capped at full international level by Norway, was not the same player when he returned to The Posh in January. Samuelsen (pictured below) will benefit from being in and around the first team squad at West Ham next season and by getting regular game time with the Under-23s in the PL2 top tier.
Domingos Quina – LOAN
Quina spent a lot of time as an unused substitute in the Premier League last season and, at the age of 17, would do well to get regular football elsewhere. Any Championship team with a focus on creativity and attacking football would be a good choice for Quina.
Ashley Fletcher – LOAN
I'm personally not sure that 21-year-old Fletcher has what it takes to be a regular goalscorer at Premier League level but there's no harm in loaning him out and seeing if he can use the Championship as a stepping stone to future top-flight success. There's no doubt the lad has talent but his only regular game time to date has come in League One at Barnsley in 2015/16. A team chasing promotion would be ideal, maybe one of the sides relegated from the Premier League last season as he'd be playing and training alongside players with recent top-level experience.
Toni Martinez – LOAN
Martinez had a decent spell at Oxford, although seemingly performed better in the FA Cup than in League One. Half a season in the Championship would be good for his development, particularly if he had the opportunity to work with a manager who used to be a striker to help guide him through how to be a success against tough, uncompromising defenders. Martinez turns 20 on Friday.
My suggestions above would see the Hammers loan out six youngsters in Burke, Oxford, Cullen, Quina, Fletcher and Martinez. The Under-23 side would therefore consist mainly of:
Trott; Pike, Pask, Rice, Sylvestre; Dobson, Browne; Kemp, Samuelsen, Holland; Hector-Ingram.
That, to me, looks like a side which could have a good go at retaining the club's position in the top tier of the Under-23 league, with players who had spells away from the club on loan last season (Pike, Pask, Dobson, Browne and Samuelsen) being retained to add their loan experiences to the added rigour and challenge of the coming PL2 campaign, as well as being available for the first team for League Cup ties and a place on the bench in the Premier League.
So, what do readers think? Do you agree with the players selected for loan? Would you prefer to keep all our youngsters for the Under-23 campaign or, conversely, loan out even more for full league experience?
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.co
Midfielder Domingos Quina has been called up to Portugal's U19 squad for the upcoming UEFA European Championship. Quina and Portugal get their campaign underway against hosts Georgia on July 2 before two more group matches against Czech Republic three days later and then Sweden on July 8. The young star has enjoyed a terrific first season at West Ham United, since joining from Chelsea last summer, and his call up to the Portugal camp is another huge achievement in the 17-year-old's young career. He was part of the national squad that won the UEFA U17 European Championship last year and Quina believes the team can draw on the success from last year as this year's tournament progresses. "I'm not sure if [last year] will help at the start because we have to make sure we get through the group first but if we get through to final, we can start thinking about last year because we won," he said. "We know we are ready for the competition and we know we have a long way to go to get to the final. "I'm happy to be selected because it's a unique competition for the U19s and I cannot wait to get started and show people what I can do."
Portugal's U17 triumph last summer kickstarted a wonderful year for Quina on a personal level. I'm happy to be selected because it's a unique competition for the U19s and I cannot wait to get started and show people what I can do. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic spotted Quina's talent within weeks of his arrival in east London and he made the young star a regular at first team training sessions at Rush Green. The midfielder's main source of game time came with Terry Westley's U23s and he produced a moment of magic in the Hammers first Premier League Cup fixture of the season, lobbing the Leicester City goalkeeper from the halfway line in a 2-0 victory at Loughborough University. Just a few weeks later, Quina was nominated for the October Premier League 2 Player of the Month. He continued his consistent performances in the heart of the Hammers PL2 midfield throughout the season and, despite missing the promotion run-in through injury, Quina won the Dylan Tombides Award at the Player Awards evening in May after being recognised as the outstanding player from the Academy of Football.
Quina has also had a taste of first team matchdays after being named on the bench 12 times in Premier League fixtures over the course of the season, and he hopes to achieve his dream of making a full West Ham debut next season. "I wasn't expecting this year to go as well as it has but I always believe in my ability and I know what I can do," he continued. "Last year could have been even better if my dream [of playing for the West Ham first team] came true but I know I still have a lot to learn and hopefully that will happen."
Like Quina, goalkeeper Nathan Trott will also be at the U19 Euros in Georgia after being selected in the England squad. You can watch the progress of our young stars on Eurosport when the tournament gets underway on July 2.
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Nearly 5,000 seats sold for West Ham United's Altona test
WHUFC.com
Nearly 5,000 tickets have already been sold for West Ham United's pre-season tour fixture at German side Altona 93.
The visit of the Hammers to the Hamburg-based club has clearly caught the imagination of fans in Germany's second-largest city, with the Adolf-Jäger-Kampfbahn stadium set to be rocking come kick-off at 6.30pm CEST on Tuesday 1 August.
Altona 93 spokesman Andy Sude said the competitive ticket prices had encouraged thousands of home supporters to see their team take on the visiting Premier Leaguers.
Tickets for West Ham supporters in the Stehplatz Gaster – Guest Terrace – section can be purchased online for just €10 now here.
"We are very happy that we can present these treats to our spectators and football fans in and around Hamburg," said Sude.
"It's been a few years since a Premier League club has played in Hamburg and we are sure that many football fans are looking forward to this event at our time-honoured Adolf-Jäger-Kampfbahn."
Secure your Altona 93 tickets now!
Altona 93 enjoyed a fine 2016/17 season, finishing third in the Oberliga Hamburg – the regional fifth tier of German football – before missing out on promotion by a single goal in the promotion play-offs.
Founded in 1893 as a cricket club by a group of local students, Altona became a football club a year later and were one of the founder members of the German Football Association. They were crowned Northern Germany champions in 1909 and 1914 and twice reached the semi-finals of the German Cup in 1955 and 1964.
The Hammers will spend ten days in Germany and, prior to facing Altona, will tackle Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen in the Betway Cup at the Sportzentrum Osterwald, Schneverdingen at 6.30pm CEST on Friday 28 July. Tickets for this match, priced at €15 for Adults and €10 for Concessions, can be bought here.
The two historic clubs will square-off again the following afternoon at 3.30pm CEST in a second Betway Cup tie at the Heinz-Dettmer-Stadion in Lohne. Seats for this fixture priced at €25 for Adults and €15 for Children, and standing tickets priced at €15/€8 respectively, are available online here.
West Ham will return to Germany for the fourth time in the last six summers next month, having competed in the Schalke 04 Cup in Gelsenkirchen in 2014, faced 1. FSV Mainz, SV Hamburg and Eintracht Braunschweig in 2013 and FC Rot-Weiss Erfurt, SG Dynamo Dresden and Energie Cottbus in 2012.
The Hammers also faced Germany opposition last summer in the shape of Bilic's former club Karlsruher SC in Austria, while Slaven Bilic's side also welcomed Werder Bremen to the Boleyn Ground for the Betway Cup in August 2015.
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ARE WEST HAM SET TO SMASH THEIR RECORD TRANSFER FEE IN THE BID TO SIGN OLIVIER GIROUD FROM LONDON RIVALS ARSENAL?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 27 JUNE 2017 AT 8:32PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Thomas Nott
According to national newspaper 'The Telegraph' that might not be the only thing that they will break this window with West Ham looking to match or slightly increase on Giroud's £120,000 a week contract at Arsenal, this would see Giroud become West Ham's highest paid player overtaking Dimitri Payet (£125,000).
However, any deal for Giroud will only be struck if Arsenal are successful in their pursuit of Alexandre Lacazette from Olympique Lyonnais for a reported fee worth £49 million (€55.7 million). With Lyon recently signing Bertrand Traoré from Chelsea in a deal worth £8.8 million after recently coming off a good season with Ajax picking up 13 goals and 6 assists last season playing as a versatile player playing in multiple positions.
West Ham however, will have competition from Lyon for Giroud's signature if Lacazette is set to leave. Giroud however, confirmed to French television show Telefoot that he is not interested in returning to Ligue 1. "I am not insensitive to the approaches of the French clubs and especially that of Marseille… But my future is in the Premier League".
With Arsène Wenger currently reluctant to sell Giroud until he has signed another striker West Ham could be made to wait to make any contact with Giroud and his representatives. However French newspaper L'Equipe has reported that Wenger has told Giroud he is free to leave in his quest to find first team football.
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REMEMBERING WEST HAM'S LAST "£20 MILLION" STRIKER
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 27 JUNE 2017 AT 9:41PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Dwayne Hawkins
He had pace that belied his size and a hunger to prove himself at the highest level of English Football. A poacher with the innate ability to find the back of the net with both his head and his feet, Dean Ashton was arguably the most natural goal scorer England had produced since Jermaine Defoe and would produce until the emergence of Daniel Sturridge and Harry Kane.
Ashton joined the Hammers at 22 years old for an initial fee of £7 Million – an amount that could easily be triple that in today's market. How far he could have gone and what he could have achieved in game we will never know as he was forced to cut his career short and call time only four years later.
In the 2005/2006 West Ham had just made their return to the Premier League. After finishing sixth in the Championship and getting promoted through the play offs the clubs early form stunned critics and pundits as they made a mockery of early predictions of a relegation battle by dabbling in the top half of the league. Yet, the strike force did need some work. Boasting Marlon Harewood – who was in the midst of his best spell for the club – an ageing Teddy Sheringham, the all glitz but no goals Jeremy Aliadiere and Bobby Zamora who had not yet been able to turn in the level of performances at the top level that we would see from him in the following season. It was clear as it has been for so many years since that we were lacking some firepower. Alan Pardew would turn to one of the most talented prospects in the country and for a record fee, Dean Ashton would be set to lead the line for West Ham for years to come.
His career would begin in 2000 as a 17 year old coming through the ranks at Crewe Alexandra. He would be described later by his first manager Dario Grodi as "the best finisher he had ever worked with". His first professional goal came aged 18 in a 4-2 victory over Burnley. He would end his first season with eight crucial goals in Crewe's fight against relegation the first division. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising young strikers in the country and would go on to score 61 goals in 158 appearances for Crewe. He would represent England at Under 17's, Under 19's and Under 20 level. He made a scoring debut for the Under 21 side in a 3-2 victory against the Netherlands on the 17th February 2004 after converting a cross from future strike partner Carlton Cole. He would make a further 8 appearances for the Under 21 side, scoring 3 goals.
Ashton would soon get the chance to prove himself in the Premiership when he signed for Norwich for a then club record fee of £3 million in January 2005. He made an instant impact by scoring on his home debut in a 4-4 draw against Middlesboro and would go on to prove that he was more than capable of playing in the highest division by bagging 7 goals in 16 games. Unfortunately his goals were not enough to save Norwich from relegation that season.
On the 22nd January 2006 West Ham announced the signing of Dean Ashton. He made his debut during the 3-2 victory against Arsenal, helping the Hammers to become the last team to defeat Arsenal at Highbury. He then scored 3 in his next 3 games in victories against Sunderland and Birmingham and a 2-2 draw with Everton. He was pivotal in the FA Cup run of that season, scoring twice to sink Manchester City in the Quarter Finals before doubling the Hammer's lead in the ill-fated cup final against Liverpool. Dean Ashton had made an impressive start to his West Ham career, leading the line with guile and fortitude that made him a thorn in the side of any defence he came up against. He had the dream of representing his country at the 2006 World Cup. His form in the second half of the season, coupled with his work rate and natural goal scoring ability suggests he should have been given that chance. Instead then England Manager Sven Goran Erickson picked unproven 17 year old prospect Theo Walcott as his fourth striker instead of Ashton.
He got his opportunity to fulfil his dream for the first time in August 2006. Unfortunately it was an incident in a training session that had geared toward him starting in a friendly against that would mar and define his career. A challenge by international team mate and then Chelsea player , Shaun Wright Phillips, that would shatter his ankle. Left on the side-lines to go through a gruelling rehabilitation, Ashton could do nothing but watch as his opportunity to play for England would come and go. In his absence West Ham would struggle domestically and flirt with relegation before dramatically surviving on the final day of the season.
Dean Ashton would work his way back to something resembling fitness for the beginning of the 2007/2008 season. The loss of cartilage in his ankle was so severe that his bones were rubbing together when he ran, something he once described as making a "crunching" sound. Despite still being in pain the desire to return to the pitch would win out and even though he was never anything close to 100 percent he ended the season with 12 goals. In June 2008 he would finally make his England international debut in the friendly against Trinidad and Tobago. After scoring twice on the opening day of 2008/2009 season Dean Ashton would sprain his already injured ankle in training. He underwent a procedure to fuse the two fragmented pieces of bone together and on the 11th December 2009, he would follow medical advice and retire from professional football, aged only 26.
In an era where players regularly do not reach their potential because of outside distractions and fragile mind-sets Dean Ashton stands alone as a man who had the hunger, the drive and most importantly the ability to be a striker of the highest quality. He was tenacious and graceful, and to this day aged only 33 still has the eye for goal that the Hammers so often lack – as he reminded us all with his overhead kick during his cameo appearance at Mark Noble's testimonial last season. With the exception of the short spells of Carlos Tevez and arguably Demba Ba, the club have been unable to replace with anyone who had the same quality that he had and certainly not with anyone who had the potential to be the player he could have become.
Looking back on a career that should have lasted a lot longer we are left thinking how different the last ten years could have been if we had had a striker who had half the ability of putting the ball in the back of the net that Deano had.
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Giroud deal in the balance
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's attempt to sign Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud are dependent on Lyon signing a replacement for Gunners target Alexandre Lacazette. Lacazette - who was courted by West Ham last summer, to no avail - is set to join the North London club in the near future. However Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has insisted that he will not allow the 26-year-old to leave until such time as he has signed an adequate replacement. And the knock-on effect of Aulas' decision is that Giroud - who has expressed a preference to remain in London, despite offers from France, including Lyon - cannot join West Ham until Lacazette has been signed. "Our position is that as long as we have not signed his [Lacazette's] replacement, we will keep him," Aulas said. "He expressed a wish to leave and he was given an agreement to go to the club of his heart, but things did not happen."
Lyon recently signed forward Bertrand Traore from Chelsea in a deal worth just under £9million, but Aulus insists that he is seeking at least one more striker before he will allow Lacazette to leave. Meanwhile West Ham continue to chase his namesake, the £8million-rated Adama Traore, who is moving closer to a move away from current club Middlesbrough.
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Hammers snubbed by young striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 27th June 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's attempt to sign Eupen's Henry Onyekuru collapsed this morning when the striker opted to join Everton instead. Despite having chased the talented youngster for several weeks, the Hammers were pipped to the post by the Merseysiders who have agreed an undisclosed fee with his former club.
As part of the deal, Onyekuru - who had also been heavily linked with Arsenal - will return to Belgium in order to join Anderlecht on a season-long loan as he was unable to secure a work permit in the UK for the forthcoming season.
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Enner Valencia transfer bid rejected by West Ham
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 27/06/17 5:56pm
SSN
West Ham have turned down an offer for Enner Valencia from Mexican side Tigres, according to Sky sources. Sky Sports News HQ understands the Hammers are keen to offload the forward this summer and remain hopeful a deal can be struck. Valencia joined West Ham from Mexican side Pachuca for £12.5m in 2014 after impressing for Ecuador at the World Cup in Brazil. The 27-year-old struggled for consistency following his move to the Premier League and managed to score only 10 goals in 66 appearances for West Ham. Valencia spent last season on loan at Everton after being told he was surplus to requirements at West Ham by manager Slaven Bilic. He scored only three goals in 23 appearances and Everton decided not to activate the option to make his move to Goodison Park permanent at the end of last season.
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EXCLUSIVE Q&A WITH EXWHUEMPLOYEE – ALL THINGS WEST HAM
MICHAEL OLIVER @MichaelOIiver
ReadWestHam
As always during transfer season, West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee will be providing all the information you need to know about the Hammers' transfer business and other snippets on The West Ham Way. Make sure you tune into Phoenix 98.0 FM Wednesday evenings for 'The West Ham Way Radio Show' – listen live here tomorrow from 7 PM.
In the first of hopefully many Q&A's with Ex over the course of the summer, we sat down with the West Ham insider to discuss the club's summer transfer plans and what he feels about some of the major talking points surrounding the club right now.
1) If reported figures are to be believed, West Ham spent in the region of £70m on transfers during the 2016/17 season. Do you think the club plan to go even bigger this season?
I wouldn't say the budget is that big, well not that I have heard. The budget has been added to due to the sales of Nordtveit and soon to be Valencia but in my opinion, the figure that I have heard as the budget is slightly below what I think is required to really improve us so some shrewd deals are needed.
2) The club earmarked ~£20m of their budget last season for the permanent transfer of Simone Zaza which never materialised. This, in addition to the reported £25m the club received for the sale of Dimitri Payet in January, hands us, in theory at least, an extra £45m of funds to spend that wasn't originally budgeted for. Are the club planning to use this cash on multiple big-ticket signings or make one big splash and supplement the squad with 'lesser' additions?
It really depends on who is available but I think the club have learnt from their mistakes last year and will be investing a bigger amount in at least one forward but probably two. We would pay over £20m for either Giroud, Iheanacho and Bathsuayi. I think we could also spend a fair amount on a new winger too.
3) West Ham have allowed Reece Oxford to leave on loan, with Reece Burke likely to follow. In your opinion, is this the right move, or should they have been given a look in the first-team squad?
I think it is the right move for Oxford who hasn't really shown what he can do on a loan yet and I think he will learn a lot from playing in Germany. I am, however, disappointed that Burke hasn't been given his chance. I think he has proven himself on loan at Bradford before injuries affect his time at Wigan and he looked good in his few games in the Claret and Blue and I would have liked to have seen him stick around and feature maybe in some cup games and be in and around the squad. I suspect there will be a number of youngsters who will leave on loan this summer.
4) Havard Nordtveit has also left the club. He joins Jonathan Calleri, Simone Zaza and Alvaro Arbeloa on an ever-growing list of transfer failures from last summer. Do you think the club still have faith in Slaven Bilic to recruit the right players?
I think the board, Tony Henry and Bilic all have to take an element of responsibility for the failure of some of those signings. I think Bilic proved in his first season he can bring in talent so I see this year as a make or break one in the transfer market.
5) West Ham switched between multiple different formations last season. What do you think is their best formation moving forward? Also, do you think the club will recruit players to fit this system, seeing as last summer the players brought in were seen as more versatile options and haven't really been successful?
I suspect that we have bought Zabaleta to play at right back which to me suggest we will be playing a 4-2-2-1-1 formation which is similar to what we played last year for the majority of games. Players will be brought in with this formation in mind. I think we also have the option of bringing in Byram and going for five at the back with wing backs if we need it.
6) Bilic's future was a big talking point during last season – have the club made the right decision to stick with him?
I believe that they have. Despite what people on other social media tended to believe about me I backed the manager and felt he should have been given this season to prove himself. Don't get me wrong, he made a lot of mistakes last year especially with playing players out of position but I felt with the circumstances around the stadium and Payet he deserved a third season as a make or break one. At the end of the day, 11th wasn't a bad position in the end if you ignore some of the dreadful performances.
7) Where do you think the Hammers need to strengthen the most going into next season, and what are the plans to address them?
It has to be the forward position. We have lacked a great goalscorer for so long now. We are probably going as far back as Dean Ashton to the last one. The plans are to buy at least two top forwards and those names have been well and truly covered in my columns.
8) We start next season with three straight away games. Given our up and down form at the London Stadium last season, do you think this could be a positive thing?
It could be a good thing and away games are always more fun for the fans that go then the home fans so if we pick up some good results the season starts in a positive way. That said though, it is harder to play away and we have some tough teams thrown in so personally, I don't think it is a good thing. I would rather play Newcastle further into the season too when they have been found out a little more. Newly promoted teams usually start better than they finish.
9) Finally, Kelechi Iheanacho and Olivier Giroud are two hot names being linked with West Ham at the moment. Who do you think would be the best fit at the club?
I personally would take either of them. I think we are crying out for proven forwards and I wouldn't turn my nose up at either. Given the choice out of the two, I think I would sign Kelechi but that is more down to his age and his potential development.
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West Ham fans will be livid if Everton sign Onyekuru and loan him straight out
HITC
Vincent Ralph
West Ham United have been linked with a move for the attacker all summer but it seems Everton have beaten them to the punch. According to a report from nieuwsblad.be, Everton have reached an agreement to sign Eupen forward Henry Onyekuru, and while that would come as a bitter blow for his alleged suitors West Ham United, it is the Toffees' short-term plans for the player that will really rile Hammers supporters. The report states that Everton will immediately loan Onyekuru to Anderlecht, so not only are they signing a player West Ham have somehow let slip through their fingers, but they are not even going to use him next season.
Earlier this month, Own Goal Nigeria reported that West Ham made an improved £9million offer for the 20-year-old, after seeing an initial £7million bid rejected by Eupen. And while the Hammers can only do so much in pursuit of a player, one wonders if they really did enough in this instance. After all, the Nigerian scored 24 goals and provided nine assists for the Belgian club last season and he is exactly what West Ham need to ensure they improve in Slaven Bilic's third year at the helm.
Considering the cut-price fee it would have taken to get a deal over the line, the West Ham hierarchy should have been moving heaven and earth to get a deal done. While no official announcement has yet been made, if Everton do complete a deal and send him to Anderlecht, Hammers supporters can only sit and wonder what might have been, losing out on a player to a club who do not yet need him.
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ONYEKURU JOINS EVERTON
Date: 27th June 2017 at 12:38pm
Written by: Forever Westham
West Ham target Henry Onyekuru has joined Everton and will spend the next 12 months on loan at Belgian side Anderlecht, say reports from Daily Mail journalists on Twitter. The Hammers were allegedly close to signing the Nigerian only earlier this month, but having failed to meet his release clause, it now appears they have lost out to Premier League rivals Everton, who have made the Nigerian star their third signing of the summer.
Dominic King ✔ @DominicKing_DM
Everton have completed a deal for Henry Onyekuru, last season's top scorer in Belgium. He will spend next 12 months on loan at Anderlecht
12:24 PM - 27 Jun 2017 · Krakow, Poland
234 234 Retweets 190 190 likes
The Toffees have already spent over £50 million on Sunderland's Jordan Pickford and Ajax's Davy Klaassen. Reports state that a deal for the 20-year-old forward was completed late last night after a successful medical at Everton's Finch Farm training facility. Onyekuru, formerly a target of Arsenal, scored an impressive 22 times in his breakthrough season for Eupen, finishing as the Belgian First Division's joint top scorer. West Ham have only signed one player so far this summer, that being Pablo Zabaleta from Manchester City, however are yet to spend any money despite being linked with a number of high profile players, including Onyekuru and most recently Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.
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West Ham bid £20m for Kelechi Iheanacho; Manchester City yet to respond
HITC
Vincent Ralph
It seems West Ham United have not given up their pursuit of the Manchester City forward just yet. According to a report from Sky Sports, West Ham United have submitted a £20million bid for Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, with the Blues yet to respond to the offer. The Hammers have been linked with the 20-year-old for much of the summer, but there appeared to be complications regarding City's insistence on a buyback clause. Given the striker's undeniable talent, it is no surprise that City are only willing to part company with the Nigerian international if they can sign him back at a later date for a previously agreed fee. And while West Ham may be loath to agree to such a clause, it could be the only way they can get a deal over the line. The Hammers need quality strikers now and Iheanacho is certainly that, proven in the Premier League, desperate for regular starts and with the innate talent to improve considerably over the next few years. Iheanacho has already scored 21 goals and provided eight assists for the Blues and he now needs to be playing week in, week out in order to really fulfil his potential. In an inflated transfer market, £20million for such a talented striker could prove to be a steal and West Ham manager Slaven Bilic will be desperately hoping City agree despite the interest of Leicester City. It is unlikely to be long before Pep Guardiola's side respond, and West Ham will either get some great news or potentially have to look elsewhere for a new striker they simply cannot do without next season.
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West Ham and Leicester keen on Thorgan Hazard
HITC
Antony Martin
West Ham United and Leicester City are keen on the Monchengladbach man. Reports emanating from France today suggest that three Premier League clubs including the Hammers and the Foxes are interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach star Thorgan Hazard, according to French media outlet Foot Mercato. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder - brother of Chelsea's Eden Hazard, enjoyed a successful campaign in the Bundesliga last term, scoring six goals and chipping in with four assists in 23 outings for his club. Foot Mercato claim that West Ham and Leicester's interest in the Belgian has intensified following his impressive showings last season, and they have been joined in the race to sign him by fellow Premier League side Stoke City. Hazard would be a useful signing for all of the aforementioned clubs, and the fact that he can play anywhere along the front-line, even in the centre-forward position, would surely be a huge attraction to any potential suitors. The former Chelsea star has just two years remaining on his current deal with Gladbach, so now would seemingly be the ideal time to sell him, as far as his peak value is concerned. From all the clubs listed as holding an interest in the Belgian, the Hammers are arguably the team most in need of someone of Hazard's quality. Slaven Bilic is desperately looking to bolster his forward options, and the potential addition of Hazard could be just what the club needs to help them kick on next season.
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From Giroud to Iheanacho to Onyekuru - the epic list of forwards linked with West Ham
With West Ham desperate to sign a new frontman this summer, this list is exhaustive
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
10:07, 27 JUN 2017
With pre-season training already just a little more than a week away, the West Ham have yet to make their move in the transfer market to find a desperately needed striker. The Hammers were somewhat goal-shy last season with the constant injuries to Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho featuring just three times, with the onus on Michail Antonio to score the goals. Loan moves for Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri completely flopped, while Ashley Fletcher wasn't trusted enough either. The club has been searching for a new frontman for the best part of 12 months and have been linked with a host of forwards but as yet, none of them have arrived in E20. Here, we look at just some of the forwards the club have been touted to make moves for so far this summer.
Olivier Giroud
West Ham are prepared to break the bank for the Arsenal forward, according to reports, with West Ham wanting to entice Giroud with £130,000 a week wages. The Arsenal striker has been heavily linked with the Hammers as the Gunners chase Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, paving the way for Giroud to move on.
Kelechi Iheanacho
The Nigerian forward has been heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium for a few weeks now and, if reports are to be believed, he could soon be signing on the dotted line if the buy-back clause issue can be sorted out. The Hammers are in need of a striker and Iheanacho ticks all the boxes for West Ham.
Shane Long
West Ham have been linked with Long in the past and it seems Bilic is keen to finally get his man. The Ireland striker could be open to a move having spent most of last season on the bench at Southampton.
Michy Batshuayi
Batshuayi scored the goal that won Chelsea the league last season but his future could lie away from Stamford Bridge. West Ham seems a likely destination for the Belgian, whether that be on loan or a permanent deal.
Jermain Defoe
The Hammers were keen on signing Defoe in January but they could not strike a deal with Sunderland for their former striker. Bournemouth are said to be in talks for the England international, although the deal is yet to go through despite reports last week that it was close to completion.
Martin Braithwaite
Denmark international Braithwaite has put clubs on red alert by saying he wants to depart Toulouse this summer. West Ham and Southampton are interested in the 25-year-old but they would face competition from a number of Bundesliga clubs for his signature.
Islam Slimani
Slimani only joined Leicester last season but he could already be on his way out of the club following his £29million move. The Hammers, as well as West Brom, are interested, although a move back to Portugal looks more likely to happen.
Mario Mandzukic
The Croat will be in Champions League final action tomorrow evening but reports suggest that could be his last game for the club.
Bilic is believed to want to bring his fellow compatriot to east London but Besiktas are lining up a move for the frontman.
Max Kruse
Kruse is yet another name to be linked with the club as they bid to strengthen upfront ahead of the new season. German paper Bild suggest the Hammers, Everton, West Brom, Southampton and Stoke City are all lining up moves for the 15-goal striker in the summer.
Henry Onyekuru
The 18-year-old forward is attracting attention from no less than eight Premier League teams but it was West Ham who showed their hand first. Issues over obtaining a work permit for the Nigerian are now resolved but the Hammers will have to work hard to get the in-demand striker over other clubs.
Anthony Modeste
The striker who flopped at Blackburn a few years back has undergone a transformation at Koln and has been scoring goals for fun, leading to the inevitable links with West Ham. However, the club absolutely baulked at the whopping £40m price tag slapped on his head by his clubs and Modeste is now set for a move to China.
Lucas Muriel
Sampdoria's Luis Muriel is the latest name added to the long list of strikers West Ham have been linked with. The Colombian caught the eye in Serie A last season and is reported to have attracted interest from Spain and England, as well as fellow clubs in Italy.
Yann Karamoh
Another youngster who had a good season on the continent, the Ivorian star is ready to leave Ligue 1 side Caen. The Hammers have been linked with a £9m bid for the forward, who made his breakthrough last season, scoring five goals and adding four assists.
Theo Walcott
The Hammers were reportedly readying a £25m for the Arsenal star, who can play up front but is more suited to a wing role. Walcott is concerned a new formation at Arsenal could hamper his England chances in the future and Slaven Bilic is ready to rescue him but the links didn't go down well with Hammers fans.
Lucas Perez
Another Arsenal forward attracting Hammers interest, he has struggled to break through into Arsene Wenger's plans following his move from Deportivo last summer, much to the annoyance of Gunners fans. A return to Spain is more likely and that will be accelerated if Arsenal sign a new forward.
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The Curious Case of Arbeloa Unfolds
verywestham.com
Alvaro Arbeloa arrived at West Ham from Real Madrid with much expectation that he would tighten up a porous defence by bringing his experience to the right back position that has so troubled Slaven Bilic's reign as West Ham manager. However, Arbeloa quickly fell out of favour after a number (three actually) of lukewarm performances and was suddenly out of the frame even despite Sam Byram picking up an injury.
In truth, many Hammers fans were bemused and befuddled by the whole affair. Arbeloa had no apparent injury issues and his history pointed towards a consummate professional. Just exactly what was wrong was very unclear indeed. However, announcing his retirement today, Arbeloa spoke to La Marca and shed some light on his difficulties at West Ham citing that it was not a physical problem but rather " in the end it was a head and motivational issue".
Arbeloa went on to describe how he has no interest in playing in the lucrative US or Chinese Leagues as for him they represent something that he finds less appealing about modern football. Hammers fans will note that he found motivation an issue despite his rumoured £50k per week wage! As the 15th richest club in the world, surely it's time for West Ham to stop buying past it burned out players who lack the desire that a club with our ambitions needs?
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West Ham and Arsenal on alert as Everton join race for wonderkid Henry Onyekuru - report
The Hammers were said to be leading the race, but interest from the Toffees may have changed things
Football London
BYADAM JONES
07:45, 27 JUN 2017UPDATED08:08, 27 JUN 2017
West Ham and Arsenal could be set to lose out on Belgian wonderkid Henry Onyekuru after Everton joined the race for the Nigerian youngster. Both London clubs were said to be battling it out for the 20-year-old - with a fee of around £7 million rumoured by many.
In fact, it was the Hammers who were said to be leading the race according to many recent reports, with Onyekuru claiming that he would turn down any move to an elite club in favour of regular first-team football. However, interest from Everton might have changed the scenario. According to Belgian publication DH, the Toffees would try to sign the winger and then immediately loan him out to Belgian champions Anderlecht to pick up more first-team experience in a league he knows well. The 20-year-old bagged an impressive 22 goals in 38 league appearances last campaign - and also claimed 14 assists. It is yet to be seen whether another year in Belgium would tempt Onyekuru before a guaranteed move to Goodison Park, with Onyekuru having gained an entry visa to the UK but not a full work permit, as was reported last week.
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West Ham reportedly ready to activate £24million release clause to sign South American striker
By Eshlin Vedan - June 27, 2017 0
According to reports, West Ham are interested in signing unsettled Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel and have not been put off by the £24 million buy-out clause in the players' contract. Hammers manager Slaven Bilic is looking to add new strikers to his squad this summer, especially given that Michail Antonio, who plays as a midfielder, was the club's top scorer this past season with nine strikes. Muriel bagged 11 goals in the Serie A this past season and has also reportedly attracted the interest of Leicester City, Roma and Inter Milan.
After two seasons at Sampadoria, Muriel appeared to indicate recently that he is open to leaving the club by saying, "There are a lot of rumours about me and my agent told me he will only call with something concrete. He has not called me yet and hope he will within the next few days."
Muriel is very highly rated and has been nicknamed the Colombian Ronaldo.
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West Ham looking into Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott transfers from Arsenal
Mark Brus for Metro.co.uk
Tuesday 27 Jun 2017 8:45 am
West Ham are reportedly keen on both Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott at Arsenal in this summer's transfer window, though they're likely to only sign one of them. The Hammers are ready to spend big on new attacking players this summer, and have also been linked several times with Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho in that position. However, latest reports suggest they could be focusing on swooping for one of two Arsenal forwards, with Giroud valued at £20million and the most realistic target for Slaven Bilic's side.
The France international looks most likely to make way this summer as Arsenal close in on their own big-money signing of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette in a club-record move. According to Goal, West Ham are also admirers of Walcott, 28, though are slightly put off by the England international's £30m price tag at the Emirates Stadium. Walcott had one of his most personally successful seasons in an Arsenal shirt last term, scoring 19 goals in all competitions – his second highest tally in a single season for the Gunners. Giroud, however, played less often and has suggested he isn't happy to continue being used in a super-sub role. '(Arsene) Wenger is counting on me even though he hasn't used me much,' Giroud said earlier this month. 'I will not settle for limited playing time (next season) like I have this season.' West Ham have reportedly already held initial talks over signing Giroud, who would be offered a four-year contract worth £100,000 per week at the London Stadium.
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TO LOAN OR NOT TO LOAN?
By Dan Coker 27 Jun 2017 at 08:00
WTID
I'll lay my cards on the table from the outset – I personally am a big believer in the loan system. Our big successes from youth to first team level have all benefited from time in the lower leagues. Frank Lampard Junior spent a month at Swansea, while Rio Ferdinand went to Bournemouth. Joe Cole was the exception to the rule as he was fast-tracked to the first team but Michael Carrick had short spells at Swindon and Birmingham. Jermain Defoe had a highly successful stint at Bournemouth and Glen Johnson played a handful of games for Millwall. Mark Noble spent time at Hull and Ipswich while, more recently, James Tomkins had a spell at Derby before becoming a Hammers regular.
Of course, along the way, there are loan spells that didn't work out. Freddie Sears showed at Crystal Palace that he would find it difficult to replicate his excellent youth team form at full league level and he subsequently struggled with the Hammers in the Premier League. Martin Samuelsen and Marcus Browne had disappointing, disrupted spells at Championship level last season while Reece Burke's encouraging development was hampered by a hip injury at Wigan. Conversely, Josh Cullen had an excellent spell at Bradford, following in the footsteps of Burke the season before.
Another factor to throw in of course is that West Ham United's Under-23s recently secured promotion to the top flight of PL2, ensuring their place amongst the best players in their age group. It is of the utmost importance that this elite position is not relinquished. This brings with it a precarious balancing act of sending young players out on loan to gain experience in the Football League, while simultaneously leaving enough quality players to ensure the Under-23 side can adequately compete.
As an aside, I'm very much of the opinion that Reece Oxford has secured a fantastic temporary switch to a very good side in one of the best leagues in the world and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish him the very best of luck at Borussia Monchengladbach. As it currently stands, he will be facing the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Robert Lewandowski, Anthony Modeste, Timo Werner and Mario Gomez next season. It will be a great experience for young Reece and, in my opinion, will be a huge boost to his development and only serve to benefit West Ham United in the long run.
In this article, I give my opinions on which Hammers starlets should be retained and who else, alongside Oxford, would benefit from loan spells.
Reece Burke – LOAN
Burke had a fantastic 2015/16 campaign on loan in League One with Bradford but his spell at Wigan in the Championship last season was disrupted by injury. With Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna, James Collins and Jose Fonte ahead of him in the current pecking order, a further spell out on loan in the Championship may be best for the 20-year-old's development. However, we should look to find him a bigger and better club than we did last season, ideally somewhere where he can play at a big stadium in front of expectant home fans.
Declan Rice – RETAIN
With Oxford and possibly Burke out on loan, the Under-23s will need a centre-half who can help them keep clean sheets. 18-year-old skipper Rice is the ideal man to stay and help his troops through the top-flight transition.
Josh Cullen – LOAN
Cullen (pictured above) had an excellent time at Bradford last season but the jump from League One football to the Premier League is a huge one. The next logical step for the 21-year-old is a similar stint in the Championship. As with Bradford in the league below, a club competing at the top end of the division would only help Cullen's confidence levels.
Marcus Browne – RETAIN
Browne's loan spell at Wigan was not far short of a disaster. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder will almost certainly need a serious boost to his confidence and staying with the Hammers as a top-flight Academy player will hopefully help do that for him.
Martin Samuelsen – RETAIN
Another who had a disastrous loan spell last season, this time at Blackburn. A very promising stint in League One the previous campaign with Peterborough was not built on at Ewood Park, again highlighting the concerns regarding sending players to clubs who struggle against relegation. The 20-year-old, already capped at full international level by Norway, was not the same player when he returned to The Posh in January. Samuelsen (pictured below) will benefit from being in and around the first team squad at West Ham next season and by getting regular game time with the Under-23s in the PL2 top tier.
Domingos Quina – LOAN
Quina spent a lot of time as an unused substitute in the Premier League last season and, at the age of 17, would do well to get regular football elsewhere. Any Championship team with a focus on creativity and attacking football would be a good choice for Quina.
Ashley Fletcher – LOAN
I'm personally not sure that 21-year-old Fletcher has what it takes to be a regular goalscorer at Premier League level but there's no harm in loaning him out and seeing if he can use the Championship as a stepping stone to future top-flight success. There's no doubt the lad has talent but his only regular game time to date has come in League One at Barnsley in 2015/16. A team chasing promotion would be ideal, maybe one of the sides relegated from the Premier League last season as he'd be playing and training alongside players with recent top-level experience.
Toni Martinez – LOAN
Martinez had a decent spell at Oxford, although seemingly performed better in the FA Cup than in League One. Half a season in the Championship would be good for his development, particularly if he had the opportunity to work with a manager who used to be a striker to help guide him through how to be a success against tough, uncompromising defenders. Martinez turns 20 on Friday.
My suggestions above would see the Hammers loan out six youngsters in Burke, Oxford, Cullen, Quina, Fletcher and Martinez. The Under-23 side would therefore consist mainly of:
Trott; Pike, Pask, Rice, Sylvestre; Dobson, Browne; Kemp, Samuelsen, Holland; Hector-Ingram.
That, to me, looks like a side which could have a good go at retaining the club's position in the top tier of the Under-23 league, with players who had spells away from the club on loan last season (Pike, Pask, Dobson, Browne and Samuelsen) being retained to add their loan experiences to the added rigour and challenge of the coming PL2 campaign, as well as being available for the first team for League Cup ties and a place on the bench in the Premier League.
So, what do readers think? Do you agree with the players selected for loan? Would you prefer to keep all our youngsters for the Under-23 campaign or, conversely, loan out even more for full league experience?
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