A Christmas message from the Club Chaplain
WHUFC.com
Merry Christmas everyone!
We look like we're finishing the season on a real high and have got back to winning ways and are moving up the Premier League table. Christmas is the time of year when we celebrate God coming to the world as the baby Jesus, but why did God do it? It reminds me of a story of a man walking in the park and seeing some pigeons feeding on the grass, picking up seeds and insects, and becoming intrigued as he stood there watching them. The man got even more interested and took a few steps forward. The pigeons did not stop feeding, but merely turned their heads slightly and kept one eye on him. The man got even more interested and took a few more steps forward, but then the pigeons flew away. The man thought 'I'm not going to harm them. I just wanted to be near them', but then he realised that to be near them, to be one of them, to fly with them, he had to become a pigeon himself. If God had revealed himself as God into the world, we would have all been frightened and run away, so instead he became the human baby Jesus. To see the baby Jesus, the shepherds came down from the hillside, the wise men travelled hundreds of miles, but today we do not have to travel at all, because Jesus comes to us, if you want him to. While Christmas is a time of joy and giving for many, I know Christmas can be a difficult time for some people, and I pray everyone is surrounded by God's love and He gives you His peace and His joy. I wish you all a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Come on you Irons!
Rev Alan Bolding
Club Chaplain
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AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United: All you need to know
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will travel down to Bournemouth for a Boxing Day clash as the festive fixtures continue to arrive.
Read on for everything you need to know about this Christmas time contest!
Where and when?
Tuesday's match between Bournemouth and West Ham will be played at the Vitality Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
The postcode is: BH7 7AF
How to follow:
Unfortunately, due to being a 3pm kick-off the match is not available for viewing in the UK. For worldwide broadcast schedules, click here.
Live match updates will be provided through the official West Ham Twitter account.
You can also follow the game live via our Matchday Blog on whufc.com.
You can also follow the match on our official Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat channels.
Meet the opposition:
What they say:
"We just need to be positive as a group and hopefully things will change. We now have to go and try and win the next game, on Tuesday, against Bournemouth."
Arthur Masuaku
Match Officials:
Referee: Bobby Madley
Assistant Referees: Marc Perry & Simon Long
Fourth Official: Mike Jones
Last five meetings:
0:39
How to get there:
Supporters are advised that trains will not be running on Boxing Day.
By Train
Follow the M3 down to Junction 13 and join the M27 and the A31, before moving on to the A338. Take the Littledown Ave exit and head onto King's Park Drive.
By Car
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Betway Insider's View of the Opposition: Bournemouth
WHUFC.com
West Ham fans will be understandably disappointed to have had their recent renaissance interrupted by Newcastle on Saturday. But the good thing about the festive football calendar is that you don't need to wait very long for an opportunity to put things right. And the Hammers' visit to Bournemouth on Saturday looks a perfect chance to start another positive run of results. No team has amassed fewer points at home than the Cherries this season, whose only two wins at the Vitality Stadium so far this term have come against promoted clubs in Brighton and Huddersfield. So, having romped to a 3-0 win against Stoke on their most recent travels – and pushed runaway leaders Manchester City all the way the time before that – David Moyes' side should feel confident of taking something from the game. Particularly considering that their opponents have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven matches in all competitions.
It should be pointed out, however, that Bournemouth have also only failed to score against Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City during the same period – so a bet on both teams to find the back of the net would make sense. West Ham, of course, shared five with Newcastle in their last outing, and history would suggest they may well be involved in another goal fest on Tuesday. The four Premier League meetings between these two sides over the last couple of seasons have seen a total of 17 scored, with at least four in three of them.
Given West Ham have scored five and Bournemouth have conceded eight in their last two matches, over 3.5 shouldn't be too much to ask for once again. And when it comes to pinpointing who might find the net for the Hammers, it's hard to look beyond Marko Arnautovic once again, who is revelling in a more advanced role with three goals in his last four league games The majority of his Premier League career goals have come against lower-half sides, so he could well prove the key to West Ham pulling away from their hosts in the bottom three.
Recommended bets:
West Ham double chance and both teams to score – 6/4
Over 3.5 goals – 12/5
Marko Arnautovic to score at any time
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Moyes: Boxing Day team selection and transfer update
WHUFC.com
David Moyes has challenged his West Ham United team to rediscover their resilience when they head to AFC Bournemouth on Boxing Day. The Hammers travel to the Vitality Stadium seeking to bounce back from a surprise 3-2 Premier League defeat by Newcastle United at London Stadium on Saturday. And on Tuesday, he wants his players to show the same organisation, discipline and creativity they demonstrated in recent wins over Chelsea and Stoke City when they take on a Cherries side without a win in seven top-flight matches. "I thought Saturday was a big game for us, because a win would have propelled us into a really strong position, but obviously we didn't win and remain in amongst it where we are at the moment," said Moyes. "I think the team has handled most things well. We've come through a difficult period of games and probably taken more points than was expected. Saturday was the first real disappointment, so we'll have to see how we'll handle it. "I have to say, we've been down the bottom for most of the season, so Bournemouth becomes really important as it's the next game we have to try and win."
Chicharito and Adrian
Against Newcastle, Moyes played Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio in the two forward positions but, with another game to play just 72 hours later, the Scot may be tempted to hand starts to either Andy Carroll or Chicharito on the south coast. "Up until Saturday, the players who had been playing had been performing well, and when that happens you reward them and keep playing them. I don't think anybody could question that "I do know what Andy Carroll and Chicharito's qualities are, but the way the team has been set up has been better suited to the two quicker boys playing up front. "There will be occasions when we have to change the team and it will better suit Andy or Chicharito at different times. "Chicharito can start, but we'd like to be giving him service and good balls into the box as he's a good goalscorer who can get on the end of things." There will be occasions when we have to change the team and it will better suit Andy or Chicharito at different times
Moyes also admitted he would again consider who to start in goal in the Premier League, with Joe Hart pushing hard for a recall at the expense of Adrian. "I'll need to look at it, as there were things on Saturday I'll need to look at again to see how it was. I've got two really good goalkeepers and good competition and I'll need to see what I think once I've had a review of the video." Moyes also gave an update on the Club's plans for the January transfer window. "We talk quite regularly and we've come up with the same sort of stuff that we'd like to add to the squad if we can. "Obviously if we're in this position then we need to, but finding the right players and getting them are different things. Sometimes the ones you want, you won't get or are maybe unavailable at this time. "The Club knows the positions we'd like to go for. What changes is when you go for your target and can't get him, then you have to go for another target. I would hope we will have two or three people who will be in consideration."
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MATCH PREVIEW: BOURNEMOUTH V WEST HAM
By Dan Coker 25 Dec 2017 at 08:00 154 comments
WTID
Firstly, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all West Ham Till I Die readers a very Merry Christmas!
Blast from the past
In today's preview, we travel back the very short distance to 12th January 2016: Justin Bieber's 'Love Yourself' topped the charts; Star Wars: The Force Awakens was in UK cinemas; David Bowie had died two days previously with Alan Rickman to pass away two days later; and West Ham United beat Bournemouth away from home for the first (and currently only) time ever.
Super Slav's Hammers picked up a 3-1 win in front of 11,071 spectators for a Tuesday night encounter at the Vitality Stadium. Andy Carroll was forced off through injury after just 15 minutes, with Nikica Jelavic entering the fray in his stead. Within two minutes of the switch, the Irons were behind when Cherries midfielder Harry Arter, former Hammer Scott Parker's brother-in-law, fired home from 25 yards to give his side their first goal in four league games. The hosts' new signing, striker Benik Afobe, squandered two glorious chances to extend Bournemouth's lead, heading over from six yards and being denied by Adrian after hesitating when clean through on goal.
West Ham were much improved after the break and the equaliser arrived with 23 minutes left to play, a sublime free-kick from Frenchman Dimitri Payet, making his first start in over two months after recovering from an ankle injury. Just seven minutes later, the visitors were in front – substitute Carl Jenkinson's quick throw-in found Payet who squirmed between two defenders before cutting back for Enner Valencia to slam the ball home. The Ecuadorian (pictured above) claimed his second in the 84th minute, cracking a stunning free-kick over the wall and beating Artur Boruc at his near post to claim his first Hammers brace.
The victory equalled a club-record eighth match unbeaten in the Premier League and took West Ham above Manchester United and into fifth, within a point of Tottenham in the final Champions League position. The Hammers would end the 2015/16 campaign in seventh place in the Premier League, while Bournemouth would finish 16th. Leicester won the Premier League, Manchester United won the FA Cup and Payet was named Hammer of the Year, with Michail Antonio runner-up.
Bournemouth: Artur Boruc, Adam Smith, Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling, Andrew Surman, Harry Arter (Glenn Murray), Matt Ritchie (Juan Iturbe), Junior Stanislas, Benik Afobe (Lewis Grabban).
West Ham United: Adrian, James Tomkins (Carl Jenkinson), James Collins, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Pedro Obiang, Mark Noble, Michail Antonio, Dimitri Payet (Alex Song), Enner Valencia, Andy Carroll (Nikica Jelavic).
Club Connections
A decent number of players have turned out for both West Ham United and Bournemouth. Jermain Defoe and Hammers Academy product Junior Stanislas are currently on Bournemouth's books while Carl Fletcher played for both clubs and is currently youth team manager with the Cherries. Ex-Bournemouth midfielder Paul Mitchell, who made one league appearance for the Hammers in 1994, is back with the Cherries as a correspondent for Opta Sports. Other players to have appeared for both clubs include:
Goalkeepers: David James, Stephen Henderson and Marek Stech.
Defenders: Everald La Ronde, Bill Kitchener, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Brignull, Reg Parker, Keith Miller, Keith Rowland, Elliott Ward, Bobby Howe and Horace Glover.
Midfielders: Ian Bishop, Trevor Hartley, Bobby Barnes, Tommy Southren, Jimmy Neighbour, Emmanuel Omoyinmi, Tony Scott, Anthony Edgar, Scott Mean, Matty Holmes, Dale Gordon, Jack Collison and Patsy Holland.
Strikers: Nicky Morgan, John Arnott, Mark Watson, Zavon Hines, Steve Jones and Ted MacDougall.
Former Hammers player John Bond went on to manage Bournemouth, while Jimmy Quinn played for both clubs and also managed the Cherries.
Today's preview focuses on a player who played for, and managed, both clubs. Harry Redknapp was born in Poplar on 2nd March 1947 and grew up as an Arsenal supporter. He played youth football for Tottenham though, before signing for West Ham and making his full debut at the age of 18 on 23rd August 1965 in a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Upton Park. He made seven appearances in 1965/66, scoring his first goal for the club in a 4-1 win at Tottenham on 8th April 1966. He had to wait eight months for his next appearance, but scored again in a 3-0 home win over West Brom on 3rd December 1966. A right winger, he was often serenaded by the Chicken Run – 'we've got 'Arry 'Arry 'Arry 'Arry Redknapp on the wing, on the wing…'
Redknapp seemed to enjoy the starts of seasons and scored twice in the opening month of 1967/68, in a 4-2 home win over Burnley on 21st August 1967 and a 5-1 win at Sunderland on 9th September 1967. A similar feat occurred a year later when he scored in a 4-0 home win over West Brom on 31st August 1968 and again in a 7-2 League Cup second round win over Bolton on 4th September 1968. Redknapp was sent off in a 2-0 defeat at Leeds on 12th October 1968 when he was booked for an incident involving Billy Bremner before being dismissed for dissent. His third goal of the season was the winner in a 4-3 victory over QPR on 2nd November 1968 – this goal can be viewed in my video below.
Redknapp's final goal for the club came in a 3-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday on 20th September 1969. His last appearance for the Hammers was in a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Upton Park on 15th April 1972. Having made 175 appearances for West Ham United, scoring eight goals, Redknapp moved to Third Division Bournemouth. He spent four seasons with the south coast side between 1972 and 1976. In the 1972/73 season, Redknapp made 37 appearances, scoring once as Bournemouth finished seventh. He made a further 46 appearances, scoring five times, during the 1973/74 season. Redknapp made 19 appearances during the 1974/75 season as Bournemouth were relegated to the Fourth Division. In 1975/76, he only managed nine appearances. Having scored six goals in 114 appearances for Bournemouth, he moved to then Fourth Division side Brentford, where he made one appearance during the 1976/77 season.
Redknapp spent most of the late 1970s playing for and coaching Seattle Sounders before returning to England to assist Bobby Moore at Oxford City. He became assistant manager to David Webb at Bournemouth at the beginning of the 1982/83 campaign and was named manager of the club just over a year later in October 1983. He helped the club avoid relegation to the Fourth Division and defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup third round. The Cherries won the Third Division title in 1987 but were relegated from the second tier in 1989.
Redknapp was involved in a serious car crash in Italy during the World Cup of 1990, which killed his friend Brian Tiler. Redknapp returned to his post at Bournemouth but had lost his sense of smell and gained a facial tic – he left his job as manager at the end of the 1991/92 season to become Billy Bonds' assistant at West Ham. Redknapp was Bonds' best friend and the pair had been best man at each other's weddings. He helped the Hammers gain promotion to the Premier League and consolidated their position in 1994. Redknapp was linked to a return to the South Coast with Southampton and Bournemouth, with West Ham chairman Terence Brown offering him the role of manager at Upton Park while Bonds was still in post. Bonds resigned, with Redknapp assuming the role of Hammers manager. The pair have not spoken since.
Redknapp brought former heroes Tony Cottee and Julian Dicks back to the club from Everton and Liverpool respectively as the Hammers found their second season in the top flight a struggle. Victories over champions-elect Blackburn and Liverpool secured the Irons' survival though and a final day draw with Manchester United denied the visitors a third successive title. The 1995 summer signing of Marco Boogers transpired to be a disaster but the returning Iain Dowie and the signing of Croatian centre-back Slaven Bilic would play a key role in the Hammers securing a top ten place for the first time since 1985/86. Redknapp created West Ham United Nations over the following months with the signings of Ilie Dumitrescu, Florin Raducioiu and Paulo Futre proving to be ineffectual. With the Hammers in deep relegation trouble and having been knocked out of the cup competitions by lowly Stockport and Wrexham, Redknapp recruited John Hartson, Paul Kitson and Steve Lomas to inspire a survival charge. Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard Junior were also promoted from the youth team to play their part.
1997/98 saw the Hammers finish eighth and reach the quarter-finals of both cup competitions. The likes of Ian Pearce, Eyal Berkovic and Trevor Sinclair made immediate impacts in east London, while the addition of Shaka Hislop the following season helped the Hammers finish fifth, their highest position to date in the Premier League. By this time Redknapp had sold Hartson and brought in Paolo Di Canio and Marc-Vivien Foe, with Stuart Pearce following soon after and Joe Cole and Michael Carrick being brought into the first-team fold. A successful InterToto Cup campaign, culminating in victory in Metz, saw the Irons qualify for the UEFA Cup where they would defeat Osijek but be knocked out by Steaua Bucharest. The Hammers dropped to ninth in the league and Rio Ferdinand was sold in November 2000, with Redknapp spending the money on Christian Dailly, Rigobert Song, Titi Camara, Svetoslav Todorov and Ragnvald Soma. The Irons progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals, defeating Manchester United at Old Trafford on the way, but would drop to 15th in the league.
Redknapp left the club with one match remaining of the 2000/01 season after a disagreement over summer funds and an ill-advised interview with the Over Land and Sea fanzine. His replacement, Glenn Roeder, led the Hammers to relegation within two seasons. Redknapp, now 70, has since managed Portsmouth (twice), Southampton, Tottenham, QPR, Jordan and Birmingham.
Referee
The referee on Boxing Day will be Bobby Madley. The Yorkshire-based official will take charge of a West Ham game for the ninth time in the Premier League, having also refereed our 2-1 victory at Manchester City in September 2015 and our 2-0 home win over Liverpool in January 2016. Madley's most controversial appointment with the Irons saw him award Chelsea a last-minute penalty at Stamford Bridge in March 2016 which saw the Blues salvage a 2-2 draw – replays showed that Michail Antonio's foul on Reuben Loftus-Cheek had occurred outside the penalty area. His most recent Hammers appointment saw him add an extra minute to the initially-allocated six which saw Crystal Palace score a last-ditch equaliser in our 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park in October.
The 32-year-old refereed four Hammers matches last season, those being the 1-0 home wins against Sunderland in October and Burnley in December as well as, ironically, the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth in March, when he awarded the home side two penalties which were both missed, and the final day 2-1 win at Burnley. Madley was also the man in the middle on a previous occasion when the Hammers travelled to Burnley – Matt Taylor and Jack Collison converted one spot-kick each in a 2-0 League Cup fourth round win at Turf Moor in October 2013, while Keith Treacy was sent off for the hosts for his involvement in the second penalty incident.
Possible line-ups
Bournemouth will be without the injured Adam Federici, Tyrone Mings, Charlie Daniels, Brad Smith, Harry Arter, Junior Stanislas, Josh King and Jermain Defoe. Bournemouth's 3-2 win over the Hammers in March was only their second win in the nine games they have played against West Ham in all competitions. The Cherries are on a seven-match winless run in the Premier League, drawing three and losing four – an eighth game without a win would equal their previous worst run.
This weekend's match will be only the fourth time Bournemouth and West Ham United have met on the south coast for a league fixture – the Hammers' only win away to the Cherries, in 2016, is detailed above. David Moyes continues to be without Sam Byram, Jose Fonte and Edimilson Fernandes while Mark Noble remains a doubt. Manuel Lanzini returns from suspension. The Hammers have not won consecutive Premier League away games since February.
Possible Bournemouth XI: Begovic; Simpson, Ake, Cook; Smith, Surman, Gosling, Fraser; Ibe, Pugh; Wilson.
Possible West Ham United XI: Adrian; Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku; Kouyate, Obiang, Lanzini; Antonio, Arnautovic.
Enjoy the game – Come On You Irons!
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David Moyes hesitant on Boxing Day goalkeeper decision
JACK ROSSER
ES Sport
David Moyes says he'll take his time when deciding who is named in goal when West Ham take on Bournemouth on Boxing Day. Just one point separates the Cherries (18th) and the Hammers (18th) after both fell to humbling defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Newcastle, respectively, before Christmas. Having concede two goals in four Premier League starts, and keeping three clean sheets, after replacing Joe Hart at Manchester City, Adrian shipped three against struggling Newcastle at London Stadium, and Moyes says he'll have to take a look at the situation. "I think Adrian, there was things I looked at that I'll need to look at today to see how it was, but I've got two goalkeepers, two really good goalkeepers, good competition and I'll need to see what I think once I have a wee review of the video." Hart had started every league game of this season until being ineligible against City, his parent club, and was back in starting lineup for the EFL Cup defeat to Arsenal prior to the Newcastle clash.
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David Moyes keen on January move for Steven Nzonzi as West Ham look to bolster squad
JACK ROSSER
ES Sport
David Moyes says he and the West Ham owners are on the same page approaching the January transfer window, and would be interested in a move for Sevilla's Steven Nzonzi should the chance arise. The board had previously said there would be funds available to spend in the winter window when the Scotsman was appointed following the sacking of Slaven Bilic. Having had to deal with a string of injury problems, Moyes is in need of a few additions to keep a squad capable of lasting the distance as they battle relegation. And Moyes says, after discussions with the owners, they are pointing in the same direction. "Yeah I speak to them quite regularly, and we've sort of come up with the same stuff," Moyes said ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Bournemouth. "It looks like we'd like to add to the squad if we can and obviously we're in this position then we'll need to, but finding the right players and looking for them is a bit different. "Sometimes the ones you might want are not gettable, maybe not available at this time."
Nzonzi is a target for both West Ham and Everton next month, but has not been playing for Sevilla after a falling out with manager, Eduardo Berizzo. Berizzo has since been dismissed in Spain, however, Moyes admits that if the opportunity arises, there would be interest from their side. "I wouldn't say he's one we're looking at because he's not playing, we can't watch him if he's not playing," Moyes said. "I think he's somebody if he came on the market and was available to us there would be an interest, but you know, and I'm only saying that - I wouldn't say that about others - because he's not playing for some reason at Sevilla. "Overall it's not something I can say I've met with or done anything with that's for sure."
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West Ham's five point plan for the January transfer window; featuring Lanzini and Carvalho
HITC
Olly Dawes
The January transfer window is drawing ever closer, and West Ham United may be busy under David Moyes. West Ham United have enjoyed an upturn in results under David Moyes of late, but they are still in need of reinforcements during the upcoming January transfer window. The Hammers chose to sack manager Slaven Bilic last month, and Moyes is now looking to guide West Ham away from the relegation zone and towards midtable. However, with some issues to resolve in the West Ham squad, Moyes may be eager to get to work in the January transfer window, though it's unclear just how much money he will have at his disposal. With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for West Ham United's January transfer window...
Sign a new midfielder
With Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyate inconsistent at best, and Mark Noble not quite the heartbeat he once was, manager Moyes may well be looking for a new midfielder in January. The Sun note that long-term target William Carvalho could be back on the radar, whilst The Mirror claim that they hope to hijack Everton's interest in Steven N'Zonzi. It seems that the Hammers are eyeing up an imposing central midfielder to dominate the middle of the park, and landing one of those two players would be a huge boost for Moyes.
Keep Lanzini out of Tottenham's clutches
Last month, ESPN reported that Tottenham Hotspur were lining up a shock raid on their London rivals, as manager Mauricio Pochettino wanted to bring West Ham ace Manuel Lanzini to Spurs. Lanzini missed the early stages of the season through injury, but has notched one goal and six assists in his last 10 outings in all competitions. The Argentinian, 24, is West Ham's main creative outlet, and if the Hammers are to stay away from the bottom three and progress up the table, they must keep Lanzini at the club – and especially keep him out of a local rivals' clutches.
Don't cash in on the kids
A report from The Mirror last month suggested that West Ham were ready to cash in on three of their most talented young players – Declan Rice, Domingos Quina and Reece Oxford – in order to fund moves for players who could help the club this season. However, West Ham went down that route over the summer, bringing in Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez, with little success. Rather than cash in on the young talent for more players 28 or older, West Ham need to keep their prospects and look to build for the future as well as stay in the top flight this term.
Resolve Diafra Sakho's future
One player who has been disgruntled at West Ham is striker Diafra Sakho, who had a bust-up with manager David Moyes earlier this week according to the Daily Mail. Having attempted to force through a summer move away from the club, the time may finally be right for Sakho to move on in January if the Hammers can find a buyer. The Senegal international, 27, has scored twice this season but hasn't started a single game in the Premier League, and if West Ham can recoup around £10million to £15million on their unhappy forward, then they should look to sell next month.
Loan out Antonio Martinez
Even if Sakho leaves, Moyes still has the likes of Hernandez, Andy Carroll, Michail Antonio, Marko Arnautovic and Andre Ayew in attack, meaning young Spaniard Antonio Martinez may not be boosted at all. The former Valencia talent has been prolific for West Ham's development squad, with many fans calling for him to play in the first team – but that opportunity has not arisen. A January loan move may help Martinez, after joining Oxford in January of last term, with a Championship move maybe best for his progression and development.
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West Ham leading the way for €30million signing to keep Javier Hernandez happy at London Stadium
The Mexican could provide a boost to the Hammers on and off the pitch
Football London
ByGreg JohnsonEditor
08:30, 25 DEC 2017
West Ham have emerged as the favourites to sign Benfica forward Raul Jimenez after a deal to take the striker to China failed to grab the player's interest. The Mexico international, who played for Atletico Madrid prior to his switch to Portugal in 2015, wants to make a success of his career in one of Europe's top leagues.
His hunger and desire is exactly what fans of the Irons are looking for from the club's next acquisitions in the transfer market following a shift in character on the pitch following the appointment of David Moyes as manager. Since taking over from Slaven Bilic in November, the Scot has guided the club out of the relegation zone and secured notable results against Arsenal and Chelsea. Individuals such as Marko Arnautovic has discovered a newfound intensity to their games, much to the delight of fans at the London Stadium.
According to reports in Portugal, translated by Sport Witness, West Ham are the leading candidates to sign Jimenez after deciding against lodging a €30million bid for the forward in the summer. He is said to be "open to any situation" due to his situation in Lisbon where regular game time has become a problem of late. If the Hammers were to make an offer it is likely that it would be accepted, and given his ties to Javier Hernandez as an international teammate of "Chicharito", a move could make sense as a ploy to keep their summer signing happy and focused on doing his best for his new club. Benfica had previously hoped to sell their back up striker to China for big money but his reluctance to move to the Super League saw a deal fall flat.
Moyes has previously hinted that he sees other positions as a prioritiy in January. However, given the fitness issues of Andy Carroll, Hernandez and Michail Antonio, plus the inconsistency of Andre Ayew and Arnautovic throughout their Premier League careers so far, West Ham could do worse than add another forward to their ranks, especially if Diafra Sakho finally succeeds in forcing a move away in 2018.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, December 26
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