Daily WHUFC News - 2nd August 2017

Burke and Cullen join Bolton Wanderers on loan
WHUFC.com

West Ham United can confirm that Reece Burke and Josh Cullen have joined
Championship club Bolton Wanderers on a five-month loan agreement. The Youth
Academy graduates will spend the first half of the 2017/18 campaign with the
newly-promoted Trotters, having flown back at the weekend from the Hammers'
pre-season training camp in Germany.

Reece, 20, and Josh, 21, trained with their new team-mates for the first
time today, ahead of Bolton's Championship opener against Leeds United at
the Macron Stadium on Sunday, which is to be televised live on Sky Sports.
The deal sees the pair reunited with Bolton boss Phil Parkinson, who managed
both during their loan spells at Bradford City during the 2015/16 season.
Central defender Burke, who won the Player of the Season award at Valley
Parade that year, subsequently spent last season on loan at Wigan Athletic,
while midfielder Cullen enjoyed another successful spell with Bradford,
reaching the League One Play-Off final at Wembley, where they narrowly lost
out to Millwall.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international heads to Bolton having
yesterday signed a new three-year contract at London Stadium, and manager
Slaven Bilic believes that both players will benefit greatly from the
experience. Bilic says: "This is a perfect opportunity for Reece and Josh to
continue the fantastic progress they have made in recent seasons. "They are
both very promising young players, who have shown that they have the right
attitude, temperament and quality to have a successful future at West Ham
United if they continue in the same manner. "I have been really impressed
with the impact they have made with us during pre-season but it is important
that they continue to play serious, competitive football at this stage of
their development. "I have had a few good, long chats with them both
recently – they know what they have to do, and we agreed that playing
regularly at this level will be far more beneficial for them. "The
Championship will give them the opportunity to test themselves against teams
and players who will be fighting to get to the Premier League, and it will
be a great experience for them. "Bolton are a good club with an excellent
manager in Phil Parkinson, who knows both Reece and Josh well, and we will
be keeping a very close eye on their progress. "I wish them all the very
best in this adventure, and we look forward to welcoming them back to the
Club next year."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Betway to donate pre-season shirt sponsorship to DT38 Foundation
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's principal sponsor Betway will donate its front of shirt
sponsorship to The DT38 Foundation during the upcoming pre-season clash with
Manchester City on Friday 4 August.

The leading online bookmaker is working in conjunction with DT38 and the
Club in a bid to raise awareness of men's health issues, with a particular
focus on testicular cancer.

Shirts from the pre-season friendly, which takes place in Iceland on 4
August, will then be signed by the players and auctioned off by DT38 after
the game to raise valuable funds for the foundation.

The DT38 Foundation was launched in 2015 in memory of West Ham Academy
starlet Dylan Tombides, who lost his three-year battle with testicular
cancer in April 2014, at the age of 20.

Karren Brady, Vice-Chairman of West Ham United, said: "It's fantastic that
our exceptional principal sponsors Betway care about all aspects of the Club
and its supporters, and we are very grateful to them for choosing to replace
their sponsorship with DT38 for the game against Manchester City in Iceland.
We really hope it can raise awareness of a wonderful person and a truly
worthy cause.

"A hugely popular figure among his teammates, coaches, backroom staff,
supporters and opponents alike, Dylan was loved and respected throughout the
football community, and is hugely missed by all at West Ham United.

"The way he battled his disease was truly inspirational, as is his wonderful
family's courage in the face of such adversity. The valuable work they are
doing in Dylan's name is absolutely incredible and a fitting way to ensure
Dylan's legacy continues to inspire others every day."

Anthony Werkman, Betway's Director of Marketing and Operations, said: "The
DT38 Foundation is a charity close to the hearts of everybody involved with
West Ham United and it is a great honour to be able to help such a worthy
cause raise not only valuable funds but also awareness.

"It's important to support the incredible work the foundation is doing to
raise awareness of such important health issues and we're absolutely
thrilled to donate our front shirt sponsorship for the game against
Manchester City."

Tracy Tombides, mother of Dylan, added: "It's a proud day for the DT38
family. Thank you to Betway and West Ham United for supporting our mission
to raise awareness and change the stigma associated with men's health issues
with a focus on testicular cancer.

"Having the team wear DT38 on their strips will allow the DT38 message to
spread to a whole new audience and to help ensure men all over the world
know the importance of conducting regular self- examinations of their
testicles and seeking ultrasound advice should they find any abnormalities."

For further information about The DT38 Foundation visit www.dt38.org

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ogbonna: West Ham have got winners in our dressing room
WHUFC.com

Angelo Ogbonna believes the presence of 'winners' in the dressing room will
give West Ham United a massive boost this coming Premier League season. The
Italy international won back-to-back Serie A titles and reached the UEFA
Champions League final during his two seasons with Juventus between 2013-15.
The centre-back has since been joined in east London by a succession of
players who have also lifted trophies during their own careers – UEFA Euro
2016 champion Jose Fonte, two-time French League Cup winner Andre Ayew and
Manuel Lanzini, who won three league titles during his time in Brazil and
Argentina. This summer, double Premier League winners Joe Hart, Pablo
Zabaleta and Chicharito have joined them at London Stadium, giving Ogbonna
even more optimism for the 2017/18 campaign ahead. "I think it's very
important to have winners at the Club," the No21 confirmed, "and we have a
lot of international players who have won things, not only our new signings
but also players like Fonte, Ayew and Lanzini. "This is important for us
because these players bring an open and positive mentality. This is the best
thing, because you can look forward to what you want to achieve. "We have
signed experienced players and that's the most important thing for the Club.
They are used to winning things and will bring that to the dressing room, so
we can learn from them."

Ogbonna's two seasons in Claret and Blue have been wildly contrasting. The
2015/16 campaign saw the Hammers challenge for a top-four finish and qualify
for the UEFA Europa League. However, last term was a different story, with
West Ham struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League table for much
of the season before rallying to finish eleventh in May. The 29-year-old is
himself returning after knee surgery ruled him out for much of the second
half of last season, and does not believe setting lofty personal or team
targets is a sensible course of action. Instead, he is hoping the presence
of four top-class signings – Marko Arnautovic being the fourth member of the
quartet – will help the Hammers to improve on their 2016/17 showing. "We
want to show ourselves better than last season and I think the Board have
done well and we have signed good players," he continued. "That is a big
motivation, not just for us but for everyone around, like fans and for the
Club as well. "I think my idea is to start over this new season so that
step-by-step we don't need to make the same mistakes like we did last
season. We don't need to talk about finishing higher or top-four, but we
need to do better than last season. "We need to concentrate on our work –
this is very important."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers star Chicharito reveals his shirt number
WHUFC.com

Chicharito will wear the No17 shirt for West Ham United.

The Mexico superstar has picked the squad number after completing his
eagerly-anticipated move from Bayer Leverkusen a week ago.

The 29-year-old, who has previously worn the No14 and No7 shirts during his
prolific career, will don the No17 for the first time in Tuesday's
pre-season match with Altona 93 in Hamburg, Germany.

Chicharito wore the No14 for Mexico at both the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup
finals, as well as for the duration of his five-season stay at Old Trafford
and his 2014/15 loan spell at Real Madrid.

The striker then took the No7 for his two years in Leverkusen, where
Switzerland international Admir Mehmedi was already in possession of the
No14 shirt.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ten-man Hammers held by Altona 93 in Hamburg
WHUFC.com

Ten-man West Ham United came from behind three times to share an
entertaining 3-3 draw with Altona 93 in Hamburg on Tuesday evening.

Slaven Bilic's side handed a debut to Chicharito and welcomed back Winston
Reid from injury, only for the latter to be shown a red card at the
Adolf-Jager Kampfbahn.

However, goals from Toni Martinez and Andre Ayew and a Joshua Du Preez
own-goal seconds after the Mexican's introduction ensured West Ham shared
the spoils with their German hosts.

Altona, who warmed up to the sound of a chart-full of heavy metal hits,
rocked their Premier League visitors inside five minutes. Pedro Obiang was
penalised for a foul 30 yards out and Nick Brisevac arrowed the resulting
free-kick around the wall and beyond Adrian's full-length dive.

The stadium announcer was midway through congratulating the former Germany
U16 international when Martinez fired the Hammers level. Captain Reid – back
after recovering from shin surgery – pumped a long ball down the right
touchline and the Spaniard outstripped his marker, cut inside and sent a
rasping left-foot shot into the roof of the net.

The Altona fans among the capacity crowd were silenced, but not for long as
first Dennis Thiessen, then Marco Schultz fired low efforts wide of the
target. Clearly full of energy and determined to upset their illustrious
guests the Regionalliga Nord side kept coming, with Samuel Hosseini heading
Schultz's teasing cross alarmingly close to Adrian's far post.

Martinez flashed a low shot wide, but it was Altona who continued to look
the more threatening, and it was Thiessen who curled the Germans back into
the lead with an exquisite 25-yarder. It could have been 3-1 before the
break too, but Milaim Buzhala volleyed Thiessen's deep cross over the top
from ten yards.

West Ham's night went from bad to worse when the returning Reid, who had
been booked just after Thiessen's goal for dissent, repeated the offence and
was sent-off after being whistled for a push inside the Altona box and was
sent-off on the stroke of half-time.

Altona changed nine of their outfield players at the break and also
introduced a third goalkeeper, while Bilic opted to make two alterations of
his own – Jose Fonte and Arthur Masuaku replacing Robert Snodgrass and Aaron
Cresswell.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Hammers were an improved team
after the break and levelled within eight minutes of the restart when Andre
Ayew smashed a bouncing through ball past the third stopper Tobias Grubba.

It was only a temporary respite, however, as Serhat Cayir lifted a diagonal
free-kick into the penalty area and the ball dropped to centre-half Darius
Stode, who prodded past Adrian.

The game was now end-to-end and, after Ayew had been fouled, Marko
Arnautovic rattled the base of the post with a long-range free-kick.

Chicharito arrived with 20 minutes to go and his impact was immediate as the
impressive Sam Byram raced down the right and crossed. The new boy drew two
defenders, allowing the unmarked Nathan Holland too shoot, and the ball
bounced into the net via a deflection off unlucky goalkeeper Joshua Du
Preez. The new No17 then played in Edimilson Fernandes, but the Swiss
dragged his shot wide.

Altona were not done, though, as Adrian raced from his line to deny the home
side's 13th substitute Tobias Lechler. Moments later, the No7 nicked the
ball off the toe of Pedro Obiang but dragged his shot wide.

The stage was set for Chicharito to net the winner when he went clean
through with three minutes remaining, only to round Du Preez and see his
shot cleared off the line by Jakob Sachs.

Then, with seconds to go, the Mexican had his heels clipped inside the
Altona penalty area, stayed on his feet and flashed a shot wide.

That proved to be the final chance of a frenetic game and West Ham's
three-match visit to Germany.

The Hammers will complete their pre-season schedule by taking on Manchester
City in Iceland on Friday afternoon.

Altona 93: Grundmann (Matthai 27, Grubba 46, Du Preez 61), Aniteye (Stode
46), Yilmaz (Kunter 46), Hosseini (Lechler 74), Buzhala (Holz 46), Brisevac
(Wachowski 46), Rettstadt (Cayir 46), Hinze (Edeling 46), Novotny (Sachs
46), Schultz (Correia Ca 46), Thiessen (Hadid 46, Schultz 83)

Goals: Brisevac 5, Thiessen 39, Stode 58

West Ham United: Adrian, Zabaleta (Byram 57), Reid ©, Ogbonna (Rice 57),
Cresswell (Masuaku 46), Obiang, Fernandes, Arnautovic (Holland 67),
Snodgrass (Fonte 46), Ayew (Makasi 70), Martinez (Chicharito 70)
Sub not used: Hart (GK)

Goals: Martinez 6, Ayew 53, Du Preez 72(own-goal)

Sent-off: Reid 42

Attendance: 5,000

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jurcevic: Chicharito debut gives us a feel of things to come
WHUFC.com

Assistant manager Nikola Jurcevic believes Chicharito will be a 'really
important player' for West Ham United after the Mexico star made an
eye-catching debut in Germany.

The new No17 played for just 20 minutes against Altona 93 in Hamburg, but
could easily have scored two goals, assisted another and won a penalty for
his side during an exciting cameo.

Speaking to whufc.com, Jurcevic felt both the striker and his new teammates
would have benefitted hugely from spending game-time together on the pitch
during a 3-3 draw at the Adolf-Jager-Kampfbahn.

"He was a plus point from this game," Jurcevic told whufc.com. "He spent a
few days with us and played about 20 minutes which was very important for
him to feel how he will play with West Ham United.

"In this moment he is not 100 per cent physically fit, but he is working
hard and for him it was very important for him to play 20 minutes. He showed
in that short time that he is a very different offensive player.

"He likes to have the ball in space, he is always on the offside line and I
think he will be a really important player for us."

While the performance of Chicharito was promising, the Hammers had to work
hard for their share of the spoils with fourth-tier Altona 93. The hosts led
three times, while West Ham also lost Winston Reid to a red card seconds
before half-time.

"It was a very difficult evening," he admitted. "We did very hard sessions
over the last two days and our opponent was also very good and a very tough
team.

"We started not so good. We conceded a few goals and also played the second
half with ten players, but in the end we scored three goals and a draw is
OK.

"Like I said before now, we in pre-season and we are working very hard and
we have had some tough training sessions and matches. The pitch was also not
in the best condition, but this is not an excuse and we must win this game.

"It was only 3-3, but the first half was not good. We were nervous for some
reason but in the second half our action was better and we scored some
goals. We had some good chances to win this game, but in the end it was only
a training game we must forget it very fast and concentrate on the future."

While West Ham went winless in their three-match German tour, adding a 1-0
defeat and 2-2 draw with Bundesliga team Werder Bremen to Tuesday's result,
Jurcevic urged fans not to be concerned ahead of the start of the new
Premier League season.

The Hammers travel to Iceland to face Manchester City on Friday before
returning to England for their top-flight opener at Manchester United on
Sunday 13 August, by which time they will have sharpened their game,
improved fitness and welcomed a number of injured players back.

"I can understand the supporters as they will normally not be happy with
this result," said Slaven Bilic's No2. "We are also not happy, but this is
only pre-season and many teams have different results in pre-season in
England, Germany and all the big leagues.

"Sometimes some big clubs play to draws against small clubs and it is not
something new in pre-season. We also played without some of our important
players and I am 100 per cent sure we will be better. I can say to our
supporters, don't be worried!

"Friday's game will be a very, very good test. We know how good Man City can
be but our first opponent in the Premier League is also good in Man United
so it will be a very good test for our team and I hope we will be good in
Iceland."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlton Cole to be sacked by Indonesian club for not scoring
Last Updated: 01/08/17 11:52am
SSN

Former Premier League footballer Carlton Cole is likely to be sacked by
Indonesian club Persib, after failing to score a single goal this season.
The former West Ham striker, now 33, joined Persib in March but has not
impressed the club's manager Umuh Muchtar. Cole had signed a one-year deal
with the team which is owned by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir, who is
also president of Italian giants Inter Milan.
Boss Muchtar said: "It's the management's decision to dismiss him, we will
have a new player in the second round of the season. "He plays very badly
compared to the other [foreign players] who have joined Persib. He had the
worst performance."
Bandung-based Persib compete in an 18-team league which was formed following
a row between Indonesia's sports ministry and their football association.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Winston Reid sent-off for West Ham in pre-season friendly as former Man
United star Javier Hernandez makes debut
The Hammers defender was making his first appearance of pre-season following
injury but was sent off for two bookable offences against the German fourth
tier team
The Mirror
BYMARC ISAACS
19:56, 1 AUG 2017UPDATED20:25, 1 AUG 2017

West Ham defender Winston Reid was sent-off in a pre-season friendly against
German fourth tier team Altona 93. Reid could not believe his luck when the
referee brandished a red card on the stroke of half-time after he received
his second caution of the game for dissent. The New Zealand international
was shown his second yellow card for clapping at the referee and paid the
price as he was shown his marching orders. Slaven Bilic was not impressed as
Reid was making his first pre-season appearance following a shin injury
which forced him to miss the opening friendlies in Austria and Germany. The
talented defender has recently been linked with a move to Everton, but
despite this bizarre dismissal, Bilic will not want to lose his star
defender. The Hammers were forced to play half the game with ten-men and had
to settle for a 3-3 draw. The one positive consolation was big summer
signing Javier Hernandez making his debut for the club after he appeared as
late substitute. The former Manchester United star almost got on the
scoresheet as he took the ball round the keeper but saw his shot cleared off
the line.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former West Ham and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole axed by Indonesian side
Persib Bandung
Cole has had his contract terminated after a string of "very bad"
performances in which he failed to score a single goal
The Mirror
BYAARON FLANAGAN
12:15, 1 AUG 2017UPDATED12:18, 1 AUG 2017

Carlton Cole has been given the bullet by Indonesian side Persib Bandung.
The former West Ham striker moved to Asia in March but has been axed after
failing to score a single goal. Cole, who has been playing alongside his
former Chelsea team-mate Michael Essien at Persib, is has been criticised
for his "very bad" performances. The 33-year-old Londoner's last career goal
came in a cup game during his spell at Celtic in the 2015/16 season. He also
failed to score during a short stint at Sacramento Republic. Cole was only
on a 10-month contract with Persib. "It's the management's decision to
dismiss him, we will have a new player in the second round of the season,"
Persib manager Umuh Muchtar told AFP. "He plays very badly compared to the
other (foreign players) who have joined Persib. He had the worst
performance."
Ambitious Persib are owned by Inter Milan president Erick Thor. But they are
falling short of targets having won five of their 17 Liga 1 games so far
this season, scoring just 16 times.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM LEAD NEWCASTLE AND SWANSEA IN RACE FOR LIGUE 1 STAR
Ladbrokes.com
1 August 2017

A trio of Premier League clubs are fighting it out for Montpellier's star
winger Ryad Boudebouz. The 27-year-old enjoyed arguably his best year yet
last time out, scoring 11 times while supplying his team-mates on nine
further occasions. But the rest of his Montpellier squad offered little in
addition as the side slumped to a 15th-place finish in Ligue 1 last term.
And now it's believed Boudebouz could leave for a relative bargain at £15m.
West Ham United are leading the way at 2/1, as the Hammers search for a
successor to Dimitri Payet. Having already signed Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta,
Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez, landing Boudebouz would cap a fine
summer for the Hammers. But they'll face competition from Newcastle United
at 9/2, and Swansea City at 5/1. The Toon Army have spent less than half of
the £75m Rafa Benitez was reportedly promised this summer. And Swansea are
still sweating on the future of playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson. Should the
Icelander head for pastures new, Boudebouz could be the ideal solution for
the Welsh club. Spanish side Real Betis have reportedly launched a bid for
the versatile forward, but at £6m it's unlikely to be accepted by
Montpellier and our traders have the Basque club behind the Premier League
trio at 6/1. AC Milan (12/1) and Sevilla (16/1) are the outsiders in the
betting. Algerian international Boudebouz has only been with Montpellier for
two years, arriving from SC Bastia in 2015 for just £1.45m.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Javier Hernandez in line to make West Ham debut against Atlona 93
ALEX YOUNG
Evening Standard

West Ham fans are expected to get their first glimpse of new signing Javier
Hernandez in Tuesday night's friendly against Altona 93. The striker
completed his £16million move from Bayer Leverkusen eight days ago and flew
out to Germany on Thursday to join his new team-mates on their pre-season
tour. Fellow new arrivals Joe Hart and Marko Arnautovic have already made
their bows, the latter scoring in a 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Hernandez has been working on his fitness over the weekend having missed
preparation time with Leverkusen due to his Confederations Cup commitments
with Mexico. Slaven Bilic is now ready to give 'Chicharito' his first run
out as a Hammer with their opening game of the Premier League season,
against Manchester United, just 12 days away.
Altona 93 are a fifth-tier German outfit and welcome West Ham to their
8,000-seater stadium on Tuesday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 5.30pm
BST.
West Ham then travel to Iceland's Laugardalsvollur national stadium to face
Manchester City on Friday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DO WE REALLY NEED TO BUY ANOTHER STRIKER OR SHOULD MARTINEZ BE GIVEN HIS
CHANCE?
By Iain Dale 1 Aug 2017 at 08:00
WTID

At the moment we have three recognised first team strikers in Javier
Hernandexz, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho. Most people would agree that we
need four, even though in extremis Michail Antonio and Andre Ayew can both
play in a central striking role if necessary. I don't know how many of you
saw Toni Martinez's (pictired) well taken header against Werder Bremen on
Saturday, but given the number of goals he was scoring for the Under 23s,
you just wonder if rather than being sent out on loan again, he might now
graduate to a first team role.

We are continually linked with a move for Andre Gray, who scored 9 goals in
32 games for Burnley last season. He certainly scored some cracking goals
and has always had a good goals to games ratio in the lower leagues. A
friend of mine who goes to every Burnley game, home and away thinks Gray is
vastly overrated and is basically a championship player. He'd be delighted
if we parted with £15 million for him and thinks Burnley would be robbing
us. Wolves are now said to be trying to sign him.

Given that our outgoings in this transfer windown haven't been massive,
there is still money in the pot. I wonder whether we are going to be
surprised by a marquee signing – one that would really make people sit up
and take notice. I imagine Ross Barckley is out of our league, but what a
signing he would be. Everton are quoting £50 million for him, but given he's
in his last year there, pundits reckon he would cost £30 million. Trouble
is, it's difficult to see where he would fit in. Lanzini is getting better
with every game and has replaced Payet in the playmaker role. To me, they
are too similar to play in the same team, but then again what do I know?

Slaven Bilic rarely plays with two strikers unless we are chasing the game
so it's difficult to see him blowing the rest of his transfer budget on a
top class striker, but I just don't see the point in buying a player like
Andre Gray who would no doubt be very unhappy to warm the bench. However, we
know that both Sakho and Carroll are injury prone, and we know that if
either could be sold in this transfer window they would be. Sakho would
bring in £7-10 million, while Carroll might get a bit more than that. Put
that with what remains in the kitty and you've probably got enough for a top
class striker.

I have no idea which of these scenarios come to pass, but whatever happens,
I'd like to see Toni Martinez given a chance this season. He's a great size
for a central striker and really looks the part. He's just turned twenty and
is keen to make an impression. I hope he starts tomorrow's friendly in
Germany.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham youngster Toni Martinez hails Andre Ayew assist in Werder Bremen
stalemate
Published on: 01 August 2017
GhanaSoccernet.com

West Ham striker Toni Martinez has lauded Ghana international Andre Ayew for
an excellent cross providing him with an assist in their 2-2 stalemate with
Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in a pre-season game. The Spanish youngster
shot his side ahead after heading home a beautiful finish from Andre Ayew's
cross after coming on as a substitute. The striker who is overly excited for
fetching his first goal for The Hammers has described the cross from the
Black Stars deputy skipper as an excellent assist. "It was a good cross from
[Andre] Ayew and good play from Marko [Arnautovic] too, it was a nice cross
and I put the ball in the net," he told the club's website. Martinez who was
promoted to the first team from The Hammers from their junior side says he
wants to score more. "It's amazing [to score]. It was a great game, we are
working hard to be strong for the first game in the league and we will keep
working hard. "I am happy to stay with the first team and I am grateful for
my opportunities. I wish for more opportunities for sure. I am really happy
to score my first goal for the first team. I thank my team mates for this.
The 20-year old scored 14 goals for the club's under 23's last season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United should look at Andriy Yarmolenko
HITC
Shane Callaghan

West Ham United need a creative outlet - and Andriy Yarmolenko is perfect.
Stoke City are interested in signing Dynamo Kiev star Andriy Yarmolenko,
according to The Mirror. But should West Ham United throw their hat into the
ring and try bring him to East London? Andriy Yarmolenko of Ukraine in
action the UEFA EURO 2016 Group C match between Ukraine and Poland at Stade
Velodrome on June 21, 2016 in Marseille, France. The Hammers hardly need a
winger after smashing their club record to sign Marko Arnautovic for £24
million, while Slaven Bilic also has Michail Antonio. However, Yarmolenko,
who netted 19 goals last season and set up another 10, is also capable of
playing the number 10 role and West Ham are crying out for a creative spark
since Robert Snodgrass proved himself a tame successor for Dimitri Payet.
Having said that, Antonio missed 12 Premier League matches last term, at two
different times of the season, and Bilic could also do with a back-up on the
right wing if the 27-year-old's problems persist into next season.
The Ukraine international is, in truth, a class act who would certainly add
something to the Irons' attack and if his £14.3 million valuation on
Transfermarkt is accurate then Bilic should ask about him. In addition to
the expensive Arnautovic, Bilic has also pulled off a big-money deal to
bring in Javier Hernandez, who will earn around £140,000 per week in the
capital, so it remains to be seen if such funds are still available to the
Croat.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'Welcome to London' Javier Hernandez reveals stunning WAG
WEST Ham's newest signing Javier Hernandez barely had his feet under the
table at the London Stadium before announcing his stunning new WAG.
Daily Star
By Jamie Micklethwaite / Published 1st August 2017

Hernandez has returned to the UK following two years playing for Bayer
Leverkusen in Germany. And it was believed the diminutive striker was on the
market after splitting up with long-term girlfriend Lucia Villalon. But
Hernandez, nicknamed Chicharito, teased his followers after posting pictures
of himself on a date with a mystery woman. This was later revealed to be
stunning Spanish actress Andrea Duro. Andrea, who is best known for her role
in Spanish TV series Love in Difficult Times, has 173,000 followers on
Instagram who have already let her know how jealous they are of the Mexican.
Cayuvvs wrote: "Chicharito 1 - rest of your fans 0."
The former Man United hitman spoke of his joy after signing for the Irons
for £16 million. He said: "The Premier League is the best league in the
world and when the opportunity came, I was desperate to sign for this club.
"West Ham is historic and very ambitious. "I've had three fantastic years
playing in Spain and Germany, but England was really the first big chapter
in my career and I am so happy to be back."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com