Daily WHUFC News - 22nd June 2017

West Ham United unveil new 2017/18 Umbro Home kit
WHUFC.com

West Ham United and Umbro have unveiled the Club's eye-catching new Home Kit
for the forthcoming 2017/18 Premier League season.

Available to pre-order now in club stores and online here, supporters can
also take advantage of a special pre-order offer by getting 10% off all
2017/18 home shirts plus free UK mainland standard delivery.*

The claret and blue kit takes inspiration from the famous strip worn by
Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking in the 1976 European Cup Winners' Cup final,
with both West Ham legends featuring in the video campaign for the new kit.

Including further contributions from Slaven Bilic and Mark Noble, as well as
historic voiceover from the late, great, Bobby Moore, the video illustrates
the significance of claret and blue to the identity of West Ham United, its
Thames Ironworks founders and the loyal, passionate and ever-present
supporters.

Pre-order the new home kit now by clicking here

"Everyone knows that West Ham United is claret and blue, it's who we are.
This season's kit is a really nice take on that theme and I think the Claret
and Blue Army will really like it," said Club captain Mark Noble.

"It's the material that is the most important for us players and when we
tried it on at the photoshoot the boys were all really impressed with how it
felt, and we are really looking forward to playing in it next season."

The shirt fronts and collar feature the popular chevron design worn by the
Hammers for the first time in their memorable meeting with Anderlecht and
throughout the late 1970s. The chevrons also take inspiration from West
Ham's famous crossed Hammers, as well as our London Stadium home, where the
iconic floodlights, giant cantilever roof and supporting infrastructure also
feature the same triangular shape.

The new 2017/18 home kitThe kit combines the rich history of both West Ham
United and Umbro with the optimism the Club and its Technical Partner share
for the future, and Hammer of the Year Michail Antonio is also a big fan.

"We know how much the fans love to see the new kit, it keeps them going over
the summer, and I think they will be proud to pull it on, just like we are
as players when we walk onto the pitch," he said.

"I really like the new design feature on the front, which represents the
crossed hammers that are a huge part of this club. It makes the shirt really
unique and it stands out for me as one of the best we have had since I
joined the Club."

The two-tone claret body is complemented by smart sky blue sleeves featuring
the famous running diamond on the shoulder, an iconic staple to Umbro
jerseys for decades. Years after its first introduction, the taping returns
as a visual statement, now incorporated into the body of the shirt using a
lightweight jacquard technology, removing weight and distraction for the
player.

Completing the look is a classic Union Jack motif, inspired by the original
Thames Ironworks shirt, on the upper reverse of the shirt, which is
constructed with great fit and bold styling at the heart of the design.

The white home shorts are tailored with stretch fabrics for maximum comfort
and freedom of movement, featuring contrasted diamonds down the side to
match the sleeves of the jersey.

Double-welt socks - reverting back to white - feature a claret and blue band
adorned with the double diamond to complete a kit that matches the modern
day footballer's high level of performance on the pitch.

The Hammers' new Home kit is available to pre-order now online from the
Official West Ham Store or in person at the Club's London Stadium, Lakeside
Thurrock and Liberty Romford stores.

The shirt is priced at £55 for Adult sizes and £45 for Junior sizes, with
all fans receiving a 10% discountand free delivery on all Home shirt
purchases.

Pre-ordered home kit will be delivered on Wednesday 12 July, whilst the away
kit, which was unveiled last month, is available in store and online now in
Men's, Women's, Junior and Infant sizes.

*Selected postcodes. Offer ends midnight 11 July 2017. Terms and conditions
apply.

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Noble welcomes 'all-round good fella' Zabaleta to West Ham
WHUFC.com

Mark Noble has welcomed the arrival of Pablo Zabaleta to West Ham United and
cannot wait to line-up alongside the Argentina international in claret and
blue. Former Manchester City man Zabaleta became the Hammers' first summer
signing when he arrived from Etihad Stadium last month, with Noble sure his
presence can only help to drive the team forward. Club captain Noble, whose
2016/17 season was ended early due to hernia surgery, has been working hard
on his rehab and is looking forward to the resumption of pre-season
training. "He's [Zabaleta] an all-round good fella," Noble said. "I've
spoken to him on text already and he's really keen to meet the lads in
pre-season. "I knew I had the hernias February time and me and the physios
took it on ourselves not to say anything until the club was safe. "It kept
getting worse and worse and I went to see the surgeon before the Spurs game
and he said 'it's urgent now, you need to have an operation.' "Then we beat
Spurs and were mathematically safe so it all worked out well."

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Reece Oxford joins German side Borussia Monchengladbach on loan
WHUFC.com

West Ham United can confirm that young defender Reece Oxford will join
German side Borussia Monchengladbach on loan for the duration of the 2017/18
season. The 18-year-old will begin his temporary spell with the Bundesliga
club on July 1. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic said: "This is a fantastic
opportunity for Reece to continue his development and experience top level
European football on a regular basis.
"He will play in a league which is very technical, which can only help him
immensely, and he will also learn a new culture and gain valuable life
experience. "We believe Reece has a very exciting and successful future here
at West Ham, and he now needs regular first team football to ensure his
progress continues. "We wish Reece all the very best in this adventure, and
look forward to welcoming him back to the Club at the end of the season."

Oxford made his senior Hammers debut as a 16-year-old against FC Lusitans in
the Europa League in July 2015, becoming the youngest first team player in
the club's history, and then made his Premier League bow just a month later,
starting in a 2-0 win at Arsenal on the opening day of the 2015/16 campaign.
He went on to make a further six league and two FA Cup appearances that
season and then appeared in the opening match at London Stadium, against NK
Domzale in the Europa League last August, before an ankle ligament injury
curtailed his progress in the early part of the season. After reaching full
fitness in January, Oxford joined Reading on loan until the end of the
season, making five appearances as the Royals headed towards the
Championship Play-Offs, ultimately losing out to Huddersfield Town at
Wembley in the final last month.

Oxford will report for pre-season training with Monchengladbach next month,
who finished ninth in the Bundesliga and competed in the UEFA Champions
League last season. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel and defender
Stephen Hendrie have both left the Club after terminating their contracts by
mutual consent. West Ham United wishes both players every success in their
future careers.

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"Help the team as much as I can"
www.borussia.de

Borussia have secured the services of Reece Oxford on a season-long loan
from West Ham. The 18-year-old speaks in an interview about his strengths on
the pitch, his new challenge at Borussia and his Jamaican heritage.

Welcome to Borussia, Reece. Tell us something about your first impressions
of the club.

Oxford: From my first impressions, it looks good. The stadium looks good,
people around the stadium seem to be welcoming, so hopefully I can just kick
on now and get to know the boys when I get into training next week.

You played for West Ham United, Reading, and now are taking a big step away
from home. Can you tell us, why Germany and why in particular Borussia?

Oxford: I think Borussia because I have seen the squad and I've seen them
play a few times and they play a few young players as well, so I think this
will be a great step for me away from the family and everyone. Hopefully I
can prove what I can be.

What do you know about Borussia?

Oxford: I don't think that Nordtveit knows that I've come here yet. I don't
know too much about the history but I know it is a good club. I watched the
Champions League game against Man City.

And you also watched Christensen and Thorgan Hazard, who have also played in
the Premier League? Both players made a big step in their careers, did you
follow their progress?

Oxford: I've seen Christensen play when he was at Chelsea. I think I played
against him when I was only about 15 in the U21s and he's a good player. He
did well here last year and the year before that, so hopefully I can follow
in his footsteps too and lead the team to some good wins and success.

What can the supporters expect from you? What are your strengths on the
pitch and where can you improve yourself?

Oxford: I think that I'm a good leader and that I can push the boys even
though I'm young. I'll give it my all in every game, so hopefully the team
can do that and we can just push on this season.

You were born in London but you have a Jamaican background. Is there
anything that is especially Jamaican?

Oxford: I've only been to Jamaica once but my grandpa is from Jamaica and my
mum from the Seychelles. It's a bit mixed but both of them are good
countries. They are paradise.

We all want to hear some German. Do you already know any German words?

Oxford: Guten Tag (laughs).

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West Ham's Reece Oxford one of England's 'best young defensive talents' -
Borussia Monchengladbach
VAISHALI BHARDWAJ
Evening Standard

Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl has expressed his
delight at signing West Ham's Reece Oxford on loan - hailing the 18-year-old
as one of England's "best young defensive talents". West Ham confirmed on
Wednesday that Oxford, 18, will spend next season on loan with the
Bundesliga side to give the defender the chance to play regularly and gain
experience of a "technical" league, according to Slaven Bilic.
Oxford enjoyed an impressive breakthrough under Bilic after being handed his
debut aged 16 against FC Lusitans in the Europa League in 2015 - becoming
the club's youngest first-team player in the process - before being given
his first Premier League start against Arsenal a month later. Injury at the
beginning of the 2016/17 campaign prevented him from playing a bigger role
for the Hammers last term but, after recovering from his ankle injury, he
spent the second half of the season on loan at Reading.
Monchengladbach have now capitalised on Oxford's lack of playing time in the
West Ham first team by signing him on a one-year loan deal, with sporting
director Eberl saying it has allowed the German side to recruit a "very
interesting player". "Reece Oxford has played for England at youth level and
is considered one of the country's best young defensive talents,"Eberl told
the club's website.
"This loan deal gives us the chance to add a very interesting player to our
squad. "On top of that, we've had good experience with signing young
Premier League players in the recent past."

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Mark Noble keen to see West Ham add to squad as he rehabs from hernia
surgery
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 21/06/17 8:18am
SSN

Mark Noble is keen for West Ham to get active in the transfer market and add
more big names to their squad ahead of the 2017-18 season.
The Hammers have so far managed to add Manchester City defender Pablo
Zabaleta to their ranks and have been linked with a move for Arsenal striker
Olivier Giroud. Werder Bremen striker Max Kruse is also a reported target
for Slaven Bilic, and the Hammers could bring in City goalkeeper Joe Hart on
loan if he is unable to find a permanent move this summer. But Noble knows
there has to be some patience from the squad, and West Ham's fans, given the
competitive nature of the market. Noble told Sky Sports News HQ: "I think we
need to get a few in. I'm sure the chairman is working tirelessly to get
them in but this market is so hard. "Players are so expensive now and you
get priced out. We're competing with so many other teams to get the players
we want."

Zabaleta made more than 200 appearances in his eight years with City and
Noble feels he will bring some vital experience to the London Stadium. He
added: "He's an all-round good fella. It's going to be a change for him
because he's used to having the ball for 70 or 80 per cent of the game.
"I've spoken to him on text already and he's really keen to meet the lads in
pre-season."

Noble is already back in training after an injury-plagued second half of
2016-17 which necessitated a post-season hernia operation.
He said: "I knew I had the hernias February time and me and the physios took
it on ourselves not to say anything until the club was safe.
"It kept getting worse and worse and I went to see the surgeon before the
Spurs game (May 5, his last game of season) and he said 'it's urgent now,
you need to have an operation.' "Then we beat Spurs and were mathematically
safe so it all worked out well."

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West Ham captain Mark Noble fears club could be priced out of summer
transfer deals as he admits Slaven Bilic 'needs to get a few players in'
West Ham have so far only made one signing this summer, Pablo Zabaleta
Club captain Mark Noble admits the club 'need to get a few players in'
However the midfielder says players are so expensive the Iron can be 'priced
out'
By Tom Bassam For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 13:01, 21 June 2017 | UPDATED: 13:01, 21 June 2017

West Ham captain Mark Noble fears the club are missing out on much-needed
additions due to the high fees being paid by their rivals.
So far the Irons have added only former Manchester City defender Pablo
Zabaleta to a squad that only secured mathematical safety from the drop with
two games remaining. Kelechi Iheanacho, Olivier Grioud and Steve Mouni have
all been linked with a move to the London Stadium but so far the club have
been left frustrated in pursuit of their targets. Noble admits Slaven
Bilic's squad needs strengthening but fears the club are being priced out in
a tough market. 'I think we need to get a few in. I'm sure the chairman is
working tirelessly to get them in but this market is so hard,' Noble told
Sky Sports at the launch of the club's new kit. 'Players are so expensive
now and you get priced out. We're competing with so many other teams to get
the players we want.'
Noble is looking forward to getting to know the Irons' only summer arrival
so far, Zabaleta. The midfielder feels the Argentine veteran will bring some
vital experience to the club. He added: 'He's an all-round good fella. It's
going to be a change for him because he's used to having the ball for 70 or
80 per cent of the game.'I've spoken to him on text already and he's really
keen to meet the lads in pre-season.'

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Sealing Pedro Obiang's future is vital for West Ham this summer, but it is
just the beginning
HITC
Vincent Ralph

West Ham United need the midfielder in their ranks but he alone will not
make the difference. According to a report from the Mirror, West Ham United
are hoping to secure the long-term future of midfielder Pedro Obiang in the
next fortnight, warding off interest from England, Spain and Italy in the
process. Such is the 25-year-old's importance to Slaven Bilic's side that
seeing him put pen to paper on a new contract would be a huge step in the
right direction, ensuring the Hammers keep hold of one of their key players,
but it would only be the start of a huge summer of negotiations.
Selling Obiang is simply not an option if West Ham want to mount a serious
assault in the top half of the table next season and push for a return to
European football, but neither is sitting around twiddling their thumbs
while prime targets are snapped up elsewhere.
A football chairman's lot is a difficult one when it comes to transfer
windows, with the pressure on to deliver but a number of factors to be taken
into account for each and every deal.
However West Ham are in more need of reinforcements than many, with two new
strikers, a right-back and a centre-back all required to ensure they improve
upon last season's up-and-down campaign. There is a balance to be made
between keeping your best players happy and strengthening in key areas.
Sealing a new deal for Obiang is imperative, with the Spaniard proving
patience really can be a virtue by stepping off the side-lines to have a
massive impact on the Hammers last time out. A new deal should be offered as
soon as possible, but while that is being drawn up West Ham's hierarchy must
also be acting fast to bring new faces to the club. This summer could define
Bilic's legacy at the London Stadium, which means juggling as many balls as
they can to get improved contracts signed and targets sealed now rather than
later, or worse, never.

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Chelsea move for Lewandowski could work wonders for West Ham in Batshuayi
pursuit
If the Pole moves to Stamford Bridge, what for Batshuayi?
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
10:11, 21 JUN 2017

Chelsea fans have gone into meltdown after our sister The Mirror revealed
the Blues are targeting Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski this
summer. The Pole is reportedly unhappy with Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti
despite netting a whopping 43 goals in all competitions last season as the
Germans clinched their fifth straight Bundesliga crown. Lewandowski's agent,
Maik Barthel, has said: "Robert told me that he got no support and that the
coach [ex-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti] gave no call to help him in the last
game to win the top-scorer title. "He was disappointed as I have never seen
him before."

Michy Batshuayi has said he doesn't want to spend another season sitting on
the bench at Chelsea (Photo: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
With the Blues preparing for life without Diego Costa, they are targeting
both Romelu Lukaku and now Lewandoski and that leaves the future of Michy
Batshuayi up in the air. The Belgian striker has been long been linked with
a loan move to the Hammers but nothing will happen unless Antonio Conte can
get reinforcements in. If either one of Lewandowski or Lukaku - or both -
arrives, that should pave the way for Slaven Bilic to make his move to scoop
up Batshuayi for the season, having missed out on him last summer when the
Belgian joined the Blues from Marseille despite lodging a £30m bid.
Bilic has been frustrated so far in his attempts to sign Kelechi Iheanacho
from Man City while a switch for Henry Onyekuru continues to drag on but
Olivier Giroud at Arsenal is still the number one target.

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West Ham go back in time to promote new eye-catching home kit for the
forthcoming 2017/18 season
The Hammers have taken inspiration from the famous strip worn by Billy Bonds
and Trevor Brooking in the 1976 European Cup Winners' Cup Final
The Mirror
BYMARC ISAACS
06:00, 21 JUN 2017

West Ham have gone back in time after unveiling their new eye-catching home
kit for the forthcoming 2017/18 Premier League season. With the club
preparing for their second campaign at their new London Stadium home, the
club are determined to keep their traditions going and have taken
inspiration from the famous strip worn by Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking in
the 1976 European Cup Winners' Cup Final.
The shirt fronts and collar feature the popular chevron design worn by the
Hammers for the first time in their memorable meeting with Anderlecht and
throughout the late 1970s. The chevrons also take inspiration from West
Ham's famous crossed Hammers, as well as the club's London Stadium home,
where the iconic floodlights, giant cantilever roof and supporting
infrastructure also feature the same triangular shape. A special video
featuring Hammers legends Bonds and Brooking has been made to promote the
kit with club skipper Mark Noble and manager Slaven Bilic also taking part.
There is also a historic voiceover from the late, great, Bobby Moore and the
video illustrates the significance of claret and blue to the identity of
West Ham United, its Thames Ironworks founders and the Hammers supporters.
Noble is thrilled with the new design and cannot wait to put on the new kit
when the new season gets underway. Noble said: "Everyone knows that West Ham
United is claret and blue, it's who were are. Next season's kit is a really
nice take on that theme and I think the Claret and Blue Army will really
like it. "It's the material that is the most important for us players and
when we tried it on at the photoshoot the boys were all really impressed
with how it felt, and we are really looking forward to playing in it next
season."
Hammer of the Year Michail Antonio believes this is one of the best kits he
has seen since he joined the club and feels it will be a big hit with the
claret and blue army. Antonio said: "We know how much the fans love to see
the new kit, it keeps them going over the summer, and I think they will be
proud to pull it on, just like we are as players when we walk onto the
pitch. "I really like the new design feature on the front, which represents
the crossed hammers that are a huge part of this club. It makes the shirt
really unique and it stands out for me as one of the best we have had since
I joined the Club."

Available to pre-order now in club stores and online at
officialwesthamstore.com, supporters can also take advantage of a special
pre-order offer by getting 10% off all 2017/18 home shirts plus free UK
mainland standard delivery.*

The shirt is priced at £55 for Adult sizes and £45 for Junior sizes, with
all fans receiving a 10% discountand free delivery on all Home shirt
purchases.

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West Ham transfer for Adama Traore complicated as Chelsea ready offer for
Middlesbrough winger
West Ham transfer news includes how Chelsea could attempt to hijhack the
Hammers' move for Middlesbrough FC winger Adama Traore
Football LOndon
BYTOM MARSHALL-BAILEY
07:00, 21 JUN 2017

West Ham's hopes of sealing a breakthrough in the transfer window could be
scuppered by Chelsea after the Blues emerged as key rivals in the race for
Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore. Slaven Bilic has earmarked the
21-year-old as a key target for his side this summer as he looks to inject
some pace into his side's attacking ranks and believed he was in pole
position to seal his signature. But the Hammers boss' hopes of snaring him
this summer have been thwarted by Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte's rival
interest in the Boro wide player, who the Italian believes can add strength
in depth for his side. Bilic is keen to bring pace into his team this
summer, with Traore fitting the bill along with the likes of Kelechi
Iheanacho and Michy Batshuayi. The 21-year-old will be allowed to leave the
Riverside after Boro's relegation to the Championship, having suffered his
second relegation in as many years after a similar plight with Aston Villa.
He left Villa after their relegation and is now wanted by Conte as the Blues
boss believes Victor Moses requires more competition in the right wing-back
position. Traore made 32 appearances for Boro last season but failed to
score in any of them and registered just one assist.

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Could West Ham finally replace Dimitri Payet with Manchester City outcast
Samir Nasri?
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United need to get it right in the summer transfer window and could
look at yet another Manchester City outcast. Slaven Bilic has publicly
stated he wants to make four "game-changer" signings and has so far
recruited defender Pablo Zabaleta from Manchester City.
The Hammers have also been linked with moves for Joe Hart and Kelechi
Iheanacho as Pep Guardiola overhauls his squad in pursuit of domestic and
European titles. But could Bilic give a last Premier League chance to
another City outcast, Samir Nasri, as he looks to replace the mercurial
Dimitri Payet in East London. After a sensational start to a loan spell at
La Liga side Sevilla last season, the French playmaker's form dipped as the
season wore on. The inconsistency that has dogged much of the former Arsenal
star's career reared its ugly head and his mindless red card against
Leicester City in the Champions League knockout defeat helped make Sevilla's
mind up not to activate their option to buy. The man once labelled the new
Zidane has been linked with AC Milan but surely faces his last chance at a
big move at the age of 29. And Bilic could potentially get the midfielder
for a knockdown price as he looks to reshape a team which failed to meet
expectations last season and struggled after Payet's January exit. Some fans
may argue the club has only just got one French midfielder with a
questionable attitude off their books, why bring in another. But Nasri is
undoubtedly supremely talented and if Bilic can get the best out of him, he
could forge an exciting partnership with Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio.

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