6 Hammers who made their mark at the Euro U19 Championship
WHUFC.com
The 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals kick-off in Georgia on Sunday, with eight nations battling it out to become the kings of their continent.
Two West Ham United youngsters will be among the 144 players vying for to be crowned champions – England goalkeeper Nathan Trott and Portugal winger Domingos Quina. The pair will become the latest in a succession of promising Hammers to feature at the tournament, dating back to Glen Johnson's appearance at the first-ever Euro U19 finals in 2002. As Trott and Quina prepare to go for glory in the Caucasus, we look back at six West Ham players who have made their mark at the competition.
2002 – Glen Johnson
Then just 17, the right-back had signed his first professional contract but had yet to make his first-team debut for West Ham United when he travelled to Norway with England U19s. Johnson started all three group-stage matches for the Young Lions, but despite future Hammers Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole scoring four goals between them, England drew with Germany and Belgium and lost 3-2 to Republic of Ireland to go out at the first hurdle.
2005 – Mark Noble
Mark Noble was just past his 20th birthday when England travelled to Northern Ireland for the 2005 tournament, where the West Ham United midfielder helped his country to finish as runners-up to a star-studded France side that included future Premier Leaguers Hugo Lloris, Yohan Cabaye, Younes Kaboul and Abou Diaby.
Noble started all five matches – group stage draws with France and Armenia, a win over Norway, semi-final success against Serbia and the 3-1 final defeat by Les Bleus – alongside the likes of future Scotland star James Morrison and Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter.
2008 – Freddie Sears and James Tomkins
West Ham United duo Freddie Sears and James Tomkins had both made their first-team breakthroughs as teenagers in the months preceding the 2008 finals – Sears by scoring against Blackburn Rovers and Tomkins in an eventful defeat at Everton – where England went out at the group stage. Both started the 2-0 defeat by the hosts Czech Republic and goalless draw with Italy, before Sears scored a penalty – taking the spot-kick ahead of teammate Daniel Sturridge – in a 3-0 win over Greece. Future Hammer Victor Moses also started against Italy and Greece.
2012 – Robert Hall
A diminutive attacker, Robert Hall (front row, second from left) was capped regularly by England at age-group level and made his first-team West Ham United debut at Derby County on New Year's Eve 2011, so it was no surprise he was included in the U19 squad five years ago. Now with Oxford United, substitute Hall replaced Harry Kane in the 1-1 draw with Croatia, then started alongside Kane, Eric Dier and Saido Berahino in the 2-1 win over France. Sadly, a 2-1 defeat by Greece, in which he started alongside Dier, Ross Barkley and Michael Keane, saw England eliminated.
2016 – Reece Oxford
West Ham United's most-recent representative at the Euro U19 finals was Reece Oxford, who took to the field three times in Germany a year ago. The ball-playing centre-half or midfielder started 2-1 group-stage wins over the Netherlands and Croatia before being rested. Oxford returned to the starting XI for the semi-final clash with Italy, only for the Azzurri to run out 2-1 winners.
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Hammers back in for Hernandez?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 2nd July 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's search for a striker has extended to former Manchester United star Javier Chicharito Hernandez. The Bayer Leverkusen forward, who has spent the last two seasons in Germany's Bundesliga is entering the final season of a three-year contract and is yet to agree a new deal, alerting a string of clubs across the continent. And one of those, according to ESPN are West Ham, who remain in the hunt for a new striker having already missed out on primary targets Henry Onyekuru and Kelechi Iheanacho. The Guadalajara-born Hernandez is said to be available for circa €15million as the result of a release clause in his contract. He scored 13 times and provided four assists in 36 appearances for Leverkusen last season.
* Former Hammers target Carlos Bacca is on the verge of sealing a move to Marseille, according to Bein Sports. It has been suggested that talks have already begun with view to a permanent transfer for the 30-year-old Colombian, who snubbed a move to West Ham last summer.
* Newcastle United are the latest club to express an interest in Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Long linked with a move to West Ham, the England international has also been linked with bitter rivals Manchester United, who will only move for Hart should first choice David De Gea return to Real Madrid.
* West Ham's interest in Malaga forward is over after Everton completed the capture of the 21-year-old this evening (Sunday). The former Barcelona Academy star has signed a five-year deal with the Toffees and is thought to have cost £5.25million - his minimum fee release clause.
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The Raul thing?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 2nd July 2017
By: Staff Writer
Raul Jimenez has refused to rule out a move to the Premier League - following reports that both West Ham and Liverpool are chasing the Benfica striker. The 26-year-old Mexican was on the verge of signing for the Hammers two years ago but failed to show for a medical, insisting that he had missed his flight having overslept. Yet despite that snub, the Hammers still remain keen on bringing Jimenez in - whilst the player himself has refused to rule out a move to England.
"It's a great League but we have to wait," he said, speaking earlier this weekend. "I'm still with Benfica but I won't close the door to anything. We'll see later. Now comes a good holiday and then we will return to everything. "I'm on vacation and we will see when I return. I have a date to return [to Benfica], to join the team in pre-season, and I'm happy there." Jimenez signed a five-year deal with his current club in July 2016 when the Águias bought out the remainder of his contract, which cost them a total of €22million.
* Everton have moved ahead of West Ham in the race to sign Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud. The French international is now listed at 5/4 on by William Hill to spurn a move to West Ham in favour of moving to Merseyside.
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WEST HAM REPORTEDLY READYING £15M GRAY OFFER
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
ReadWestHam
West Ham have been linked with a plethora of strikers already this summer, and one of the most mentioned targets has been Andre Gray.
The Burnley striker appears to be failing to reach a compromise with Burnley over a new deal at the club, and this points towards him departing this summer. He has just one year remaining on his deal at Turf Moor, and the Clarets will be keen to cash in rather than lose him for free next summer.
Now, according to a report from the Mirror, the Hammers have readied a £15m offer to land Gray.
The powerful striker enjoyed a considerably successful first campaign in the top flight last term, spearheading Burnley's successful pursuit of Premier League survival.
However, he will be keen to test himself at a higher level and West Ham could be the perfect next step for him.
The Hammers have also been linked with Javier Hernandez, Olivier Giroud, Kelechi Iheanacho and Cedric Bakambu in recent times.
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'Where's the money?' West Ham's finances scrutinised as David Gold sparks fan fury with comments
HITC
Damien Lucas
West Ham United co-owner David Gold has sparked fury among fans with comments over the club's finances. When the Hammers moved from their beloved Boleyn Ground to the Olympic Stadium, co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold promised big 'marquee' signings. In reality as one West Ham famously told a talkSPORT radio phone-in last season, 'We got Simone Zaza and some scaffolding'. Many supporters are sceptical over the intentions of Sullivan and Gold.
Indeed many believe their bluster about "£35m marquee striker signings" was a ploy to sell season tickets. If it was, it worked - or certainly helped - as West Ham sold 52,000 season tickets in their debut season at their new 60,000 seater London Stadium home, second only to Manchester United. And the same number is expected to sell out season tickets again this week but given last year's failings expectations are higher than ever with supporters demanding to see the kind of ambition being shown by Premier League rivals Everton. So when Gold told talkSPORT this week that the club "must try to find the money" to sign a striker this summer it sent Hammers fans into meltdown.
That's because Slaven Bilic should have at least £150 million at his disposal to reshape his team this summer.
No marquee striker
With Zaza's loan cancelled before the £25m obligation to buy clause was activated last season West Ham never ended up signing the "marquee" striker money had supposedly been ring-fenced for. And it didn't wash when Gold later tried to claim £20.5 million Andre Ayew was that man. Bilic has only recruited free transfer Pablo Zabaleta so far this summer while rumoured moves for Kelechi Iheanacho, Michy Batshuayi, Onyekuru Henry, Olivier Giroud, Chris Smalling and Joe Hart have thus far failed to materialise. Instead the club have been busy shedding players.
Player sales
Highly rated youngster Reece Oxford has been sent on a season-long loan to Bundesliga side Borussia Munchengladbach while flops Alvaro Arbeloa, Gokhan Tore and Havard Nordtveit have followed Simone Zaza out of the exit door as well as goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel and defender Stephen Hendrie. Enner Valencia is expected to be sold for around £7 million in the near future while speculation continues to link more of last summer's disappointing crop of signings with moves away including Ayew, Sofiane Feghouli, Robert Snodgrass and Ashley Fletcher. James Tomkins, Dimitri Payet were sold for a combined £35 million in the last 11 months taking the total raised from player sales to nearly £50 million and counting.
Record income
All the while the Hammers announced record income in their annual accounts earlier this year off the back of the ever-increasing TV deal - worth around £120 million. The extra ticket revenue, commercial and merchandising revenue streams has seen the club enter the prestigious European Deloitte Football Money League Top 20 for the first time, as proudly paraded on its official website back in January.
Upton Park sale
Factor in the estimated £45 million raised from the sale of Upton Park - which even if offset against the club's £2.5million a year Olympic Stadium rent is enough to pay for the first 18 of their 99 year lease - and eyebrows start to twitch.
Usual transfer budget
That's not including the money that surely would have been made available anyway for the summer - typically around £25 million net under Sullivan and Gold - which is small fry in the current climate. Payet and fellow departures have raised close to £45 million and counting in the last 11 months
Is debt the reason?
West Ham had to be debt free before taking up their residence as anchor tenants at the Olympic Stadium. They were carrying debt heading into their last season at Upton Park so Sullivan and Gold would have had to clear that according to the reported agreement. And it is that factor which has led fans to speculate that the owners are trying to reshape the squad on the cheap in a bid to cream as much profit off the club as possible.
How owners can prove everyone wrong
In fairness not many Premier League clubs have conducted too much business so far with the transfer window still in its relative infancy. And some big transfers in the coming weeks will blow all of that out of the water. And it must be noted that Sullivan and Gold have done a lot for the Hammers since they hit stormy weather under Icelandic ownership during the financial collapse. Gold's comments have not gone down well and action not words will be the only thing that can appease supporters between now and the close of the transfer window in August.
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West Ham ready to make £15million move for unsettled Burnley striker Andre Gray
The Hammers are bidding to bolster their attack this summer and the Burnley front man is on their radar
The Mirror
BYJOHN RICHARDSON
22:30, 1 JUL 2017
West Ham are ready to make a £15 million move for unsettled Burnley striker Andre Gray. The Hammers had a similar bid turned down by the Clarets in January but could be successful this time around. Gray is involved in a contract stand off wanting a big increase on his current deal which just has one year to run.
Burnley who have sold central defender Michael Keane to Everton for £25 million are also resigned to losing Gray who scored nine Premier League goals last season. They want to sign experienced Stoke striker Jon Walters and have been in contact with the Potters over the Republic of Ireland international. Burnley boss Sean Dyche is also looking for a replacement for his England defender Keane who will have his Everton medical tomorrow. Everton have always been the frontrunners to snap up Keane but Burnley insisted on any interested club coming up with £25 million with 25 per cent of the fee due to former club Manchester United following a sell on clause.
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West Ham attempting to land former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez by paying £13m release clause
The Hammers are prepared to match the clause in Chicharito's Bayer Leverkusen contract and bring him back to England
The Mirror
BYTOM HOPKINSON
22:30, 1 JUL 2017
West Ham are trying to bring Mexico striker Javier Hernandez back to the Premier League. The former Manchester United star, whose nickname 'Chicarito' translates as 'Little Pea', is understood to be open to a return to England. And the Hammers are ready to hand him the opportunity to do so by meeting the £13million release clause in his contract at Bayer Leverkusen. West Ham have had the player watched closely at the Confederations Cup in Russia. And his performances, on the back of a season in which he scored 11 goals in 26 appearances, have convinced them to make their move. West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are looking to sign two strikers this summer for Slaven Bilic, who is expected back in England next week after undergoing hip surgery in his native Croatia. Arsenal star Olivier Giroud is one player they are chasing and they will continue to monitor Arsenal's transfer activity and the knock-on effect for the Frenchman. Hernandez is another and the Hammers hope to take advantage of whispers that Leverkusen will need to sell one of their more valuable assets after missing out on European qualification for next season. Hernandez has one year to run on his deal at the Bay Arena and if the Germans don't sell him this summer, or extend his contract, then they risk losing him for nothing in a year. He joined United in 2010 from Guadalajara in his homeland and spent four years at Old Trafford before moving to Real Madrid on loan. At the end of his season in Spain, United sold him to Leverkusen but if West Ham get their way his time in Germany will now be up.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, July 2
Daily WHUFC News - 2nd July 2017
West Ham United Ladies sign exciting WSL forward Amber Stobbs
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are delighted to announce the signing of exciting
forward Amber Stobbs. A speedy and creative attacker, Stobbs has represented
Reading Women and Everton Ladies in the Women's Super League (WSL) and joins
the ambitious Hammers from the latter. The London-born winger, who will also
take on the role of Women and Girls Officer with the West Ham United
Foundation, is excited about returning to her home city and helping West Ham
fulfil their desire of reaching the top flight themselves in the coming
years. "I'm very, very excited to be here and excited about what's to come
and I just can't wait to start rolling now," she told West Ham TV. "One of
the main reasons I have come is the ideas and ambitions of the club going
forward now we've got decent backing, which will help endlessly. "Also, I
had a very good experience when I was out of season with my previous clubs
and I trained with West Ham then, and at that moment I thought this was
somewhere I could see myself, so now it just seems perfect time. "I trained
for a month or two here last Christmas time and I really liked the members
of staff and even the training sessions themselves were what I would expect
from a team which wants to progress in the correct way. It seemed like the
perfect choice."
Stobbs' signing has been welcomed by Ladies managing director Jack Sullivan
and general manager Karen Ray. "It's great to have Amber on board, she being
experience from WSL and America and has played at a very high level!" said
Sullivan. "She loves the project and we hope she can help us get promotion
this season."
"Amber brings us so much more than her exciting ability on the ball, her
professionalism and desire to improve every day is exceptional," said Ray.
"She is a very effective player who I am confident will help lead a young
team to reach our aspirations. "We are delighted that Amber has seen the
ambitions of the club and believes in what we are doing, it speaks volumes
of the training environment we provide. "Amber's positive attitude and work
ethic both on and off the pitch have made her an incredible role model and
we are confident she will excel in her new role as the Women and Girls
Officer for the West Ham Foundation. We have no doubt that young girls will
aspire to follow in her footsteps and play for West Ham United Ladies."
Stobbs started playing football at the age of six and began her career with
Chelsea Ladies as a schoolgirl, before taking up a soccer scholarship in the
United States with Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, in 2010.
There, she helped the Pride twice reach the prestigious NCAA Tournament,
scoring six goals and registering eight assists in 47 appearances over four
seasons, while also turning out for professional club Washington Spirit in
Maryland each summer. There, she trained alongside United States
international forward Crystal Dunn, goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and defender
Ali Krieger, gaining much-needed experience before returning to England with
Reading in 2016. "That was the best experience!" she recalled. "I went over
there on a scholarship and it was obviously a great opportunity to play
football full-time and get a great education. "I ended up getting my
under-graduate degree in psychology and masters in sports science, then
worked out there before coming back to England to play the game." "I trained
alongside top players every day and that was an experience in itself and
obviously you just learn from the best and hope you'll get there one day."
Stobbs continued her football education with Everton earlier this year,
appearing four times as the Toffees won the WSL 2 Spring Series title
earlier this year. Now, the qualified football coach has brought her game
back down south. "The game has come a long way from when I played in England
at 17 before I went to America," she observed. "Back then, I was the only
girl in my area who played football, and I played for boys' teams growing
up. "The professionalism in this country has brought it on a long way and
the English national team did really well at the last World Cup, which made
me feel I wanted to come back to this country and have that football
lifestyle. "I am now looking for somewhere to develop more on and off the
pitch and there is no better place to do that than in my home city. "I'm
also very excited as I'm going to be working with the Ladies and West Ham
United Foundation to help more younger girls into the game, which I'm
massively passionate about."
You can follow Amber Stobbs on Twitter @akstobbs.
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Toni Martinez excited for start of pre-season
WHUFC.com
Toni Martinez says he is motivated more than ever to make his West Ham
United first team debut after seeing fellow youngster Declan Rice play his
first Premier League game last season. Martinez, who turned 20 on Friday,
spent the second half of the last campaign on loan at Sky Bet League One
side Oxford United, before returning to West Ham to help the U23s clinch
promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1. His two goals in the Play-Off
Final against Newcastle United capped off a terrific first year in English
football for the Spaniard and he cannot wait to return for pre-season with
the Hammers next week. "I am really excited to get going again and get back
on the pitch ahead of the new season," said last year's U23s top scorer.
"I'm really looking forward to meeting all the people at the Club again,
catching up with all the boys and of course seeing and meeting all the West
Ham fans who were brilliant to me last season. "Last season was a fantastic
season for me. I'm happy with my adaptation, with how I've coped playing a
different style of football in a different country and I hope this season
will be even better."
"The loan at Oxford last season definitely helped develop me. To play
professional football has been really useful and important. I feel now even
more ready to help West Ham United to achieve our goals."
Martinez played with Irish international Rice a number of times for Terry
Westley's U23s last year, with the latter becoming another member of the
Club's prestigious Academy of Football to make their Hammers first team
debut. Rice's substitute appearance in the Premier League victory against
Burnley on the final day of last season has given belief to Martinez that a
debut of his own is just around the corner. "This pre-season, I hope the
manager counts me in with pre-season, and if he does, I'll be really looking
forward to joining up and going away with them," he continued. "Not only
that, but I hope to gain a place in the first team squad and help with my
goals that I want to achieve. "The aim for the season really for me has to
be finally making my first team debut. Dec [Rice] was given his last season
and that was really fantastic to see. The fact that the manager trusts
Declan and potentially other young players is very motivating. "I would love
for the manager to consider me for a place in the team when he believes I'm
ready."
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REMEMBERING THE THREE TIME HAMMER OF THE YEAR
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 1 JULY 2017 AT 3:19PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Dwayne Hawkins @DwayneWHU
Hero or villain.
Legend or Judas.
Never before has one man made such a substantial impact on the West Ham team
and gone on to become one of the most divisive figures in the clubs history.
Derision over the club that he chose to represent after his departure has
certainly tainted his legacy and left a bad taste in the mouth of a large
portion of fans. Were his almost super human performances while wearing
Claret and Blue enough to allow us as a fan-base to forgive and forget? Did
a man who consistently gave it his all week in and week out during one of
our worst periods in recent memory earn the right to pick his next club
without being judged in the eyes of the fans and the club?
Those are questions in which every West Ham fan will have a different
answer. What we can all agree on is that one of our most influential and
inspirational players has announced his retirement from professional
football.
Scott Parker. There was no one quite like you.
The summer of 2007 was an exciting time to be a West Ham fan. Although the
following few seasons would prove to be anything but, in this transfer
window optimism was rife. Eggert Magnusson had completed his takeover of the
club in the November previous and his first transfer window in the following
January saw big names like Lucas Neil, Matthew Upson and Luis Boa Morte all
join the club. That summer West Ham were active in the transfer window and
boasting a bulging wallet, they club broke their transfer record by bringing
in Craig Bellamy for £7.5 Million. Freddie Ljungberg and Noberto Solano also
joined to add further flair to team. These signings would go on to have
varying levels of success for the club, but it was Scott Parker, a £7
million buy from Newcastle that would have the biggest impact.
Parker would make his name as a trainee at Charlton, making his debut for
the club in 1997. He would soon displace captain Mark Kinsella and become a
starting player for the club by the 2000/2001 season. With his tenacious
tackling and ability to pick out killer passes he would quickly make a name
for himself as one of the brightest prospects in English football. He would
go on to make 145 appearances for Charlton before Chelsea would come calling
in 2004 and he made the move across London for £10 million. He found
himself behind Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard in his first season and as
such his career stagnated. He found starts difficult to come by in the
Premier League but was a regular performer in the domestic cup competitions.
Newcastle offered him a way out in July 2005 and signed him for £6.5
million. By the time his spell at Chelsea came to an end he had managed to
make only 15 Premier League appearances in an 18 month spell.
It was at Newcastle that Scott Parker would restart his career and build a
reputation as one of the most consistent midfielders in the division. His
form led to a recall to the England team and him being made captain at the
beginning of his second season of the club following the retirement of Alan
Shearer. He made 73 appearances for Newcastle before moving back to London
and joining West Ham in the summer of 2007.
Injury would delay the start of his West Ham career, but he made his Premier
League debut for the Hammers in the 1 nil defeat to Arsenal in September
2007. Once back in the team and playing regularly Parker would continue to
display the form that he showed whilst playing for Newcastle without quite
hitting the levels of performance that he would in the following years. His
first goal for the club came as a last minute winner in December 2007
against Middlesboro and he finished his first season with the club making 18
Premier League appearances. Over the next few seasons the fans would fully
embrace him as their new hero. He was a throwback to a previous time, a
reluctant hero who would run that extra ten yards so a teammate wouldn't
have to. He was the embodiment of a working man's club. A man who left it
all on the pitch. Every single week.
He was a man who never truly got the recognition he deserved at
international level. He would make 18 appearances for the national side but
it wasn't until 2011 that he would truly become a regular for England.
Competing for his spot against bigger names in his position such as Steven
Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and Michael Carrick there was often a
sniff of derision at the perceived lack of technical ability Parker had
compared to the aforementioned players. Never was this more plain to see
than when Parker was selected in Fabio Capello's preliminary 30 man squad
for the 2010 World Cup. He did not make the final 23 man squad despite being
the best performing central midfielder in the Premier League that season and
England would go on to have a poor tournament with their players lacking the
passion and drive that defined Scott Parker.
The following seasons brought difficult times and back to back relegation
battles. The first of which we survived through the skin of our teeth and a
swing of Parker's boot, as he scored the winning goal in a win against Wigan
and secured West Ham's place in the Premier League for another season. In
September 2010 he signed a new contract, becoming at that time the highest
paid player in the club's history. The following season featured some of the
worst performances West Ham have had in recent memory. Scott Parker was the
one player that gave me hope that things could turn around for the better.
That maybe we could find a way to dig ourselves out of the hole we had dug.
I have vivid memories of being at Upton Park that season and seeing Parker
making yet another challenge and the man stood beside him who only seconds
before had been cursing loudly clapping his hands together and screaming out
at the top of his lungs, "Does anybody else want to put any effort in!" The
familiar sound of Super Scotty Parker rang around the ground moments later,
just as it so often did during his spell with the Hammers.
He was as inspirational behind the scenes as he was on and demonstrated it
during a half time team talk that he gave which was enough to motivate West
Ham to come back from 3 nil down in a game against West Brom and salvage a
draw. Carlton Cole spoke about that day and inparticular that team talk,
stating; "If you were there you would have shed a tear." It was too much for
Parker to do alone that season and West Ham did succumb to relegation,
marking his place in history as the most undeserving man to ever suffer a
relegation from the Premier League. He would leave the club and have
successful spells with Tottenham and Fulham before announcing his retirement
from professional football aged 36 in June 2017.
He became the first player to win back to back Hammer of the Year awards
since Julian Dicks, and then won it for a third straight time the following
the season. He won the FWA Player of the year award the season West Ham
finished rock bottom of the Premier League. He brought a level of
determination and desire to win that the Hammers faithful had barely seen
before and are yet to see since. Whether he can ever go down as a true West
Ham legend is a question I will leave fans to answer themselves. However,
for all his contributions to the club during the four years he played for
West Ham, I would just like to say thank you Scott. There was no one quite
like you.
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE COLUMN: BEASLEY JOINS IN REVAMP AND TRANSFER UPDATES
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 1 JULY 2017 AT 9:06AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Hi all, I decided to write this column, despite my absence from twitter,
mainly because there has been a lot of sensationalised reporting from the
media and some other West Ham News sites. I am looking forward to
continuing with the radio show on Wednesday and interacting with people
again via the show.
Following the appointment of much respected Gary Lewin as the club's new
Head of Medical services he has continued to revamp the medical team and
bring in his new men. The decision, from his hospital bed, of Slaven Bilic
to replace popular Stijn Vandenbroucke with the former England and Arsenal
man will bring a fresh approach to tackling our injury problems. This has
continued with the appointment of former England medic Dr Ian Beasley as the
new Club Doctor.
In other news, since I left twitter this week, not a lot has changed in
terms of transfers from when I left despite other media outlets trying to
tell you otherwise. Here is a brief summary:
Onyekuru deal collapsed because Everton decided to sign the player before a
work permit was agreed. A work permit may have required an appeal and The
Toffeemen decided they would sign the player regardless and loan him out. We
wanted a player for this season so we decided against a move.
No change in the Ihenanacho deal. The club has always accepted that we
would have to include a buy back clause. So sensationalised headlines of a
deal being closer to happening were misleading, inaccurate and designed to
generate hits. The deal continues to be held up by an agent dispute and may
not go ahead anyway as there are some concerns.
Enquires continue for many forwards including Modeste and Hernandez. We
have been long term admirers of both players (as you can trace back through
my columns) and both players are available. We had already bid for Modeste
but Koln wanted too much and he agreed a move to China. This has fallen
through so negotiations have resumed where we will try to bring down the
asking fee. Hernandez has always been a target and his availability means
we are very keen although we face strong competition.
We hope that Arsenal sign Lacazette so that Giroud will be granted a move
away from The Gunners.
Ogbonna agreed a 5 year deal. There was some interest from Italy for the
player but he had always committed himself to us.
https://twitter.com/WHUFCFZ/status/840303056059277312 He returned to
training early this week to put pen to paper. Other players mentioned in
the above tweet are set to follow.
The players return to first team training this week. Diafra Sakho and Andy
Carroll will require further medical treatment when they arrive back from
holidays.
Many loan offers have came in for our youngsters and most will be considered
for loans moves to the Championship. Bilic believes you have to prove
yourself there before ready for first team football.
We have been in talks to sign a top talented youngster from one of the most
established academies in the world. Whilst this player has been released
from the club he is still said to be highly talented.
You have a week to buy tickets for Sammy McNess' title fight next Saturday.
Remember if you buy tickets from him you will automatically be entered in
the draw for two West Ham Way tickets to any event. We are delighted to
announce that club legends Billy Bonds and Alan Devonshire have both agreed
to attend and dates will be confirmed when the sky fixtures are announced.
At the West Ham Way we have new and exciting venture coming soon and further
information will be available in the summer.
I hope you are all well! COYI
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West Ham in talks to sign Cologne striker Anthony Modeste
By Kaveh Solhekol, Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 01/07/17 8:04am
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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Everything you need to know about £22m West Ham target Cedric Bakambu
Reports have emerged the Hammers have had a bid rejected for Bakambu, but
what do we know about him?
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
11:02, 1 JUL 2017
West Ham have reportedly had a £22m bid for striker Cedric Bakambu rejected
but could go back in with an improved offer, according to multiple reports
on Saturday morning. The Hammers are desperate to sign a new striker or two
this summer after a goal-shy 2016/17 season, thanks in no small part to
injuries to Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, with Simone Zaza, Jonathan
Calleri and Ashley Fletcher failing to fill the void in the interim. Slaven
Bilic's side have been linked with moves for a host of frontmen this summer,
with Kelechi Iheanacho, Michy Batshuayi, Olivier Giroud and Anthony Modeste
at the top of the list. But who is Bakambu, the latest player to be linked
with a switch to E20? Here's all you need to know.
Bakambu is a 25-year-old DR Congo international and is coming off the back
of a very successful season in Spain with Villareal. Bakambu, born in
France, netted 22 times last season and can also lay as a winger as well as
a striker. He made his professional debut for French side Sochaux in 2010
and played 107 times for them over five season, scoring 21 goals. That
earned him a move to Turkey and Bursaspor, finishing the season as their top
scorer in 2015. He also netted eight goals in 12 games as his team reached
the Turkish Cup final before a 3–2 home loss to Galatasaray. Bakambu
represented France at U18 and U19 level and was part of the side who won the
2010 U19 Championships on home soil and came fourth in the 2011 U20 World
Cup. In 2015, he decided to switch his allegiance to DR Congo at senior
level and earned his first call up for a friendly against Cameroon. He
scored his first international goal in a 2-1 win over Angola in an Africa
Cup of Nations qualifier.
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Henry Onyekuru – West Ham Offered Me More Money Than Everton But Odemwingie
Adviced Me To Snub Them
July 1, 201705
Everton latest signing Henry Onyekuru says he could have earned more
elsewhere than at Everton but choose to join the Premier League side after
listening to advices from ex Nigeria international Peter Osaze Odemwingie.
Onyekuru's move to Everton was confirmed yesterday by the club, with the
official announcement also confirming that he will spend a season on loan at
Belgium side Anderlecht. However the striker could have ended elsewhere
particularly West Ham who were the front runners for his signature, but the
20 year old who scored 24 goals last season for Eupen revealed other
factors made him snub a move to other teams.
A chat with Odemwingie who played in the Premier League for Stoke City, West
Brom and Cardiff City played a role in his choice of Everton, as well as
assurances from Everton boss Ronald Koeman. "Before making the decision I
seek some advice from Nigeria ex players like Osaze Odemwingie, and he gave
me some advices you know. I have some other clubs you know ready to offer
more than what Everton did", he told Owngoalnigeria.com. "But I begged with
my agent I need to play inside the pitch and not just the financial aspect
for my career I need a coach that will push me to make a good career for me,
so I choose Everton because the coach really wants me and I am going to take
a loan to Anderlecht, so it's good for my career.
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West Ham fail with Bakambu, Modeste bids
HITC
Shane Callaghan
West Ham United have failed with bids to sign the Primera Division and
Bundesliga hitmen. The Telegraph has reported that West Ham United have seen
£22 million bids knocked back for Cologne striker Anthony Modeste and
Villarreal hitman Cedric Bakambu. The Hammers are in the market for a
striker but all of the noise has been about a £20 million offer for
Arsenal's Olivier Giroud, say The Telegraph. But the same publication has
now claimed that West Ham have failed in big-money bids for the two hitmen.
Bakambu, 25, netted 22 goals last season for the Primera Division outfit,
while 29-year-old Modeste, who had a disappointing stint with Blackburn
Rovers, grabbed 25 goals for the Germans. It remains to be seen if Irons
boss Slaven Bilic will return with an improved bid for one or both of the
centre-forwards, but perhaps Giroud is the best option. The French striker
scored 12 Premier League goals in 11 starts last season, and is obviously
proven in English football. As lethal as Bakambu and Modeste are abroad,
they are untested on these shores and perhaps a 'devil you know' approach is
best for West Ham in this instance.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are delighted to announce the signing of exciting
forward Amber Stobbs. A speedy and creative attacker, Stobbs has represented
Reading Women and Everton Ladies in the Women's Super League (WSL) and joins
the ambitious Hammers from the latter. The London-born winger, who will also
take on the role of Women and Girls Officer with the West Ham United
Foundation, is excited about returning to her home city and helping West Ham
fulfil their desire of reaching the top flight themselves in the coming
years. "I'm very, very excited to be here and excited about what's to come
and I just can't wait to start rolling now," she told West Ham TV. "One of
the main reasons I have come is the ideas and ambitions of the club going
forward now we've got decent backing, which will help endlessly. "Also, I
had a very good experience when I was out of season with my previous clubs
and I trained with West Ham then, and at that moment I thought this was
somewhere I could see myself, so now it just seems perfect time. "I trained
for a month or two here last Christmas time and I really liked the members
of staff and even the training sessions themselves were what I would expect
from a team which wants to progress in the correct way. It seemed like the
perfect choice."
Stobbs' signing has been welcomed by Ladies managing director Jack Sullivan
and general manager Karen Ray. "It's great to have Amber on board, she being
experience from WSL and America and has played at a very high level!" said
Sullivan. "She loves the project and we hope she can help us get promotion
this season."
"Amber brings us so much more than her exciting ability on the ball, her
professionalism and desire to improve every day is exceptional," said Ray.
"She is a very effective player who I am confident will help lead a young
team to reach our aspirations. "We are delighted that Amber has seen the
ambitions of the club and believes in what we are doing, it speaks volumes
of the training environment we provide. "Amber's positive attitude and work
ethic both on and off the pitch have made her an incredible role model and
we are confident she will excel in her new role as the Women and Girls
Officer for the West Ham Foundation. We have no doubt that young girls will
aspire to follow in her footsteps and play for West Ham United Ladies."
Stobbs started playing football at the age of six and began her career with
Chelsea Ladies as a schoolgirl, before taking up a soccer scholarship in the
United States with Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, in 2010.
There, she helped the Pride twice reach the prestigious NCAA Tournament,
scoring six goals and registering eight assists in 47 appearances over four
seasons, while also turning out for professional club Washington Spirit in
Maryland each summer. There, she trained alongside United States
international forward Crystal Dunn, goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and defender
Ali Krieger, gaining much-needed experience before returning to England with
Reading in 2016. "That was the best experience!" she recalled. "I went over
there on a scholarship and it was obviously a great opportunity to play
football full-time and get a great education. "I ended up getting my
under-graduate degree in psychology and masters in sports science, then
worked out there before coming back to England to play the game." "I trained
alongside top players every day and that was an experience in itself and
obviously you just learn from the best and hope you'll get there one day."
Stobbs continued her football education with Everton earlier this year,
appearing four times as the Toffees won the WSL 2 Spring Series title
earlier this year. Now, the qualified football coach has brought her game
back down south. "The game has come a long way from when I played in England
at 17 before I went to America," she observed. "Back then, I was the only
girl in my area who played football, and I played for boys' teams growing
up. "The professionalism in this country has brought it on a long way and
the English national team did really well at the last World Cup, which made
me feel I wanted to come back to this country and have that football
lifestyle. "I am now looking for somewhere to develop more on and off the
pitch and there is no better place to do that than in my home city. "I'm
also very excited as I'm going to be working with the Ladies and West Ham
United Foundation to help more younger girls into the game, which I'm
massively passionate about."
You can follow Amber Stobbs on Twitter @akstobbs.
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Toni Martinez excited for start of pre-season
WHUFC.com
Toni Martinez says he is motivated more than ever to make his West Ham
United first team debut after seeing fellow youngster Declan Rice play his
first Premier League game last season. Martinez, who turned 20 on Friday,
spent the second half of the last campaign on loan at Sky Bet League One
side Oxford United, before returning to West Ham to help the U23s clinch
promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1. His two goals in the Play-Off
Final against Newcastle United capped off a terrific first year in English
football for the Spaniard and he cannot wait to return for pre-season with
the Hammers next week. "I am really excited to get going again and get back
on the pitch ahead of the new season," said last year's U23s top scorer.
"I'm really looking forward to meeting all the people at the Club again,
catching up with all the boys and of course seeing and meeting all the West
Ham fans who were brilliant to me last season. "Last season was a fantastic
season for me. I'm happy with my adaptation, with how I've coped playing a
different style of football in a different country and I hope this season
will be even better."
"The loan at Oxford last season definitely helped develop me. To play
professional football has been really useful and important. I feel now even
more ready to help West Ham United to achieve our goals."
Martinez played with Irish international Rice a number of times for Terry
Westley's U23s last year, with the latter becoming another member of the
Club's prestigious Academy of Football to make their Hammers first team
debut. Rice's substitute appearance in the Premier League victory against
Burnley on the final day of last season has given belief to Martinez that a
debut of his own is just around the corner. "This pre-season, I hope the
manager counts me in with pre-season, and if he does, I'll be really looking
forward to joining up and going away with them," he continued. "Not only
that, but I hope to gain a place in the first team squad and help with my
goals that I want to achieve. "The aim for the season really for me has to
be finally making my first team debut. Dec [Rice] was given his last season
and that was really fantastic to see. The fact that the manager trusts
Declan and potentially other young players is very motivating. "I would love
for the manager to consider me for a place in the team when he believes I'm
ready."
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REMEMBERING THE THREE TIME HAMMER OF THE YEAR
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 1 JULY 2017 AT 3:19PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by Dwayne Hawkins @DwayneWHU
Hero or villain.
Legend or Judas.
Never before has one man made such a substantial impact on the West Ham team
and gone on to become one of the most divisive figures in the clubs history.
Derision over the club that he chose to represent after his departure has
certainly tainted his legacy and left a bad taste in the mouth of a large
portion of fans. Were his almost super human performances while wearing
Claret and Blue enough to allow us as a fan-base to forgive and forget? Did
a man who consistently gave it his all week in and week out during one of
our worst periods in recent memory earn the right to pick his next club
without being judged in the eyes of the fans and the club?
Those are questions in which every West Ham fan will have a different
answer. What we can all agree on is that one of our most influential and
inspirational players has announced his retirement from professional
football.
Scott Parker. There was no one quite like you.
The summer of 2007 was an exciting time to be a West Ham fan. Although the
following few seasons would prove to be anything but, in this transfer
window optimism was rife. Eggert Magnusson had completed his takeover of the
club in the November previous and his first transfer window in the following
January saw big names like Lucas Neil, Matthew Upson and Luis Boa Morte all
join the club. That summer West Ham were active in the transfer window and
boasting a bulging wallet, they club broke their transfer record by bringing
in Craig Bellamy for £7.5 Million. Freddie Ljungberg and Noberto Solano also
joined to add further flair to team. These signings would go on to have
varying levels of success for the club, but it was Scott Parker, a £7
million buy from Newcastle that would have the biggest impact.
Parker would make his name as a trainee at Charlton, making his debut for
the club in 1997. He would soon displace captain Mark Kinsella and become a
starting player for the club by the 2000/2001 season. With his tenacious
tackling and ability to pick out killer passes he would quickly make a name
for himself as one of the brightest prospects in English football. He would
go on to make 145 appearances for Charlton before Chelsea would come calling
in 2004 and he made the move across London for £10 million. He found
himself behind Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard in his first season and as
such his career stagnated. He found starts difficult to come by in the
Premier League but was a regular performer in the domestic cup competitions.
Newcastle offered him a way out in July 2005 and signed him for £6.5
million. By the time his spell at Chelsea came to an end he had managed to
make only 15 Premier League appearances in an 18 month spell.
It was at Newcastle that Scott Parker would restart his career and build a
reputation as one of the most consistent midfielders in the division. His
form led to a recall to the England team and him being made captain at the
beginning of his second season of the club following the retirement of Alan
Shearer. He made 73 appearances for Newcastle before moving back to London
and joining West Ham in the summer of 2007.
Injury would delay the start of his West Ham career, but he made his Premier
League debut for the Hammers in the 1 nil defeat to Arsenal in September
2007. Once back in the team and playing regularly Parker would continue to
display the form that he showed whilst playing for Newcastle without quite
hitting the levels of performance that he would in the following years. His
first goal for the club came as a last minute winner in December 2007
against Middlesboro and he finished his first season with the club making 18
Premier League appearances. Over the next few seasons the fans would fully
embrace him as their new hero. He was a throwback to a previous time, a
reluctant hero who would run that extra ten yards so a teammate wouldn't
have to. He was the embodiment of a working man's club. A man who left it
all on the pitch. Every single week.
He was a man who never truly got the recognition he deserved at
international level. He would make 18 appearances for the national side but
it wasn't until 2011 that he would truly become a regular for England.
Competing for his spot against bigger names in his position such as Steven
Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and Michael Carrick there was often a
sniff of derision at the perceived lack of technical ability Parker had
compared to the aforementioned players. Never was this more plain to see
than when Parker was selected in Fabio Capello's preliminary 30 man squad
for the 2010 World Cup. He did not make the final 23 man squad despite being
the best performing central midfielder in the Premier League that season and
England would go on to have a poor tournament with their players lacking the
passion and drive that defined Scott Parker.
The following seasons brought difficult times and back to back relegation
battles. The first of which we survived through the skin of our teeth and a
swing of Parker's boot, as he scored the winning goal in a win against Wigan
and secured West Ham's place in the Premier League for another season. In
September 2010 he signed a new contract, becoming at that time the highest
paid player in the club's history. The following season featured some of the
worst performances West Ham have had in recent memory. Scott Parker was the
one player that gave me hope that things could turn around for the better.
That maybe we could find a way to dig ourselves out of the hole we had dug.
I have vivid memories of being at Upton Park that season and seeing Parker
making yet another challenge and the man stood beside him who only seconds
before had been cursing loudly clapping his hands together and screaming out
at the top of his lungs, "Does anybody else want to put any effort in!" The
familiar sound of Super Scotty Parker rang around the ground moments later,
just as it so often did during his spell with the Hammers.
He was as inspirational behind the scenes as he was on and demonstrated it
during a half time team talk that he gave which was enough to motivate West
Ham to come back from 3 nil down in a game against West Brom and salvage a
draw. Carlton Cole spoke about that day and inparticular that team talk,
stating; "If you were there you would have shed a tear." It was too much for
Parker to do alone that season and West Ham did succumb to relegation,
marking his place in history as the most undeserving man to ever suffer a
relegation from the Premier League. He would leave the club and have
successful spells with Tottenham and Fulham before announcing his retirement
from professional football aged 36 in June 2017.
He became the first player to win back to back Hammer of the Year awards
since Julian Dicks, and then won it for a third straight time the following
the season. He won the FWA Player of the year award the season West Ham
finished rock bottom of the Premier League. He brought a level of
determination and desire to win that the Hammers faithful had barely seen
before and are yet to see since. Whether he can ever go down as a true West
Ham legend is a question I will leave fans to answer themselves. However,
for all his contributions to the club during the four years he played for
West Ham, I would just like to say thank you Scott. There was no one quite
like you.
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE COLUMN: BEASLEY JOINS IN REVAMP AND TRANSFER UPDATES
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 1 JULY 2017 AT 9:06AM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Hi all, I decided to write this column, despite my absence from twitter,
mainly because there has been a lot of sensationalised reporting from the
media and some other West Ham News sites. I am looking forward to
continuing with the radio show on Wednesday and interacting with people
again via the show.
Following the appointment of much respected Gary Lewin as the club's new
Head of Medical services he has continued to revamp the medical team and
bring in his new men. The decision, from his hospital bed, of Slaven Bilic
to replace popular Stijn Vandenbroucke with the former England and Arsenal
man will bring a fresh approach to tackling our injury problems. This has
continued with the appointment of former England medic Dr Ian Beasley as the
new Club Doctor.
In other news, since I left twitter this week, not a lot has changed in
terms of transfers from when I left despite other media outlets trying to
tell you otherwise. Here is a brief summary:
Onyekuru deal collapsed because Everton decided to sign the player before a
work permit was agreed. A work permit may have required an appeal and The
Toffeemen decided they would sign the player regardless and loan him out. We
wanted a player for this season so we decided against a move.
No change in the Ihenanacho deal. The club has always accepted that we
would have to include a buy back clause. So sensationalised headlines of a
deal being closer to happening were misleading, inaccurate and designed to
generate hits. The deal continues to be held up by an agent dispute and may
not go ahead anyway as there are some concerns.
Enquires continue for many forwards including Modeste and Hernandez. We
have been long term admirers of both players (as you can trace back through
my columns) and both players are available. We had already bid for Modeste
but Koln wanted too much and he agreed a move to China. This has fallen
through so negotiations have resumed where we will try to bring down the
asking fee. Hernandez has always been a target and his availability means
we are very keen although we face strong competition.
We hope that Arsenal sign Lacazette so that Giroud will be granted a move
away from The Gunners.
Ogbonna agreed a 5 year deal. There was some interest from Italy for the
player but he had always committed himself to us.
https://twitter.com/WHUFCFZ/status/840303056059277312 He returned to
training early this week to put pen to paper. Other players mentioned in
the above tweet are set to follow.
The players return to first team training this week. Diafra Sakho and Andy
Carroll will require further medical treatment when they arrive back from
holidays.
Many loan offers have came in for our youngsters and most will be considered
for loans moves to the Championship. Bilic believes you have to prove
yourself there before ready for first team football.
We have been in talks to sign a top talented youngster from one of the most
established academies in the world. Whilst this player has been released
from the club he is still said to be highly talented.
You have a week to buy tickets for Sammy McNess' title fight next Saturday.
Remember if you buy tickets from him you will automatically be entered in
the draw for two West Ham Way tickets to any event. We are delighted to
announce that club legends Billy Bonds and Alan Devonshire have both agreed
to attend and dates will be confirmed when the sky fixtures are announced.
At the West Ham Way we have new and exciting venture coming soon and further
information will be available in the summer.
I hope you are all well! COYI
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West Ham in talks to sign Cologne striker Anthony Modeste
By Kaveh Solhekol, Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 01/07/17 8:04am
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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Everything you need to know about £22m West Ham target Cedric Bakambu
Reports have emerged the Hammers have had a bid rejected for Bakambu, but
what do we know about him?
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
11:02, 1 JUL 2017
West Ham have reportedly had a £22m bid for striker Cedric Bakambu rejected
but could go back in with an improved offer, according to multiple reports
on Saturday morning. The Hammers are desperate to sign a new striker or two
this summer after a goal-shy 2016/17 season, thanks in no small part to
injuries to Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, with Simone Zaza, Jonathan
Calleri and Ashley Fletcher failing to fill the void in the interim. Slaven
Bilic's side have been linked with moves for a host of frontmen this summer,
with Kelechi Iheanacho, Michy Batshuayi, Olivier Giroud and Anthony Modeste
at the top of the list. But who is Bakambu, the latest player to be linked
with a switch to E20? Here's all you need to know.
Bakambu is a 25-year-old DR Congo international and is coming off the back
of a very successful season in Spain with Villareal. Bakambu, born in
France, netted 22 times last season and can also lay as a winger as well as
a striker. He made his professional debut for French side Sochaux in 2010
and played 107 times for them over five season, scoring 21 goals. That
earned him a move to Turkey and Bursaspor, finishing the season as their top
scorer in 2015. He also netted eight goals in 12 games as his team reached
the Turkish Cup final before a 3–2 home loss to Galatasaray. Bakambu
represented France at U18 and U19 level and was part of the side who won the
2010 U19 Championships on home soil and came fourth in the 2011 U20 World
Cup. In 2015, he decided to switch his allegiance to DR Congo at senior
level and earned his first call up for a friendly against Cameroon. He
scored his first international goal in a 2-1 win over Angola in an Africa
Cup of Nations qualifier.
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Henry Onyekuru – West Ham Offered Me More Money Than Everton But Odemwingie
Adviced Me To Snub Them
July 1, 201705
Everton latest signing Henry Onyekuru says he could have earned more
elsewhere than at Everton but choose to join the Premier League side after
listening to advices from ex Nigeria international Peter Osaze Odemwingie.
Onyekuru's move to Everton was confirmed yesterday by the club, with the
official announcement also confirming that he will spend a season on loan at
Belgium side Anderlecht. However the striker could have ended elsewhere
particularly West Ham who were the front runners for his signature, but the
20 year old who scored 24 goals last season for Eupen revealed other
factors made him snub a move to other teams.
A chat with Odemwingie who played in the Premier League for Stoke City, West
Brom and Cardiff City played a role in his choice of Everton, as well as
assurances from Everton boss Ronald Koeman. "Before making the decision I
seek some advice from Nigeria ex players like Osaze Odemwingie, and he gave
me some advices you know. I have some other clubs you know ready to offer
more than what Everton did", he told Owngoalnigeria.com. "But I begged with
my agent I need to play inside the pitch and not just the financial aspect
for my career I need a coach that will push me to make a good career for me,
so I choose Everton because the coach really wants me and I am going to take
a loan to Anderlecht, so it's good for my career.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fail with Bakambu, Modeste bids
HITC
Shane Callaghan
West Ham United have failed with bids to sign the Primera Division and
Bundesliga hitmen. The Telegraph has reported that West Ham United have seen
£22 million bids knocked back for Cologne striker Anthony Modeste and
Villarreal hitman Cedric Bakambu. The Hammers are in the market for a
striker but all of the noise has been about a £20 million offer for
Arsenal's Olivier Giroud, say The Telegraph. But the same publication has
now claimed that West Ham have failed in big-money bids for the two hitmen.
Bakambu, 25, netted 22 goals last season for the Primera Division outfit,
while 29-year-old Modeste, who had a disappointing stint with Blackburn
Rovers, grabbed 25 goals for the Germans. It remains to be seen if Irons
boss Slaven Bilic will return with an improved bid for one or both of the
centre-forwards, but perhaps Giroud is the best option. The French striker
scored 12 Premier League goals in 11 starts last season, and is obviously
proven in English football. As lethal as Bakambu and Modeste are abroad,
they are untested on these shores and perhaps a 'devil you know' approach is
best for West Ham in this instance.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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