Daily WHUFC News - 26th May 2018

Pellegrini: West Ham fans are always special fans
WHUFC.com

Manuel Pellegrini is relishing the prospect of managing West Ham United at
London Stadium next season. The Chilean, who got his hands on the new
2018/18 Umbro Home kit after agreeing a three-year deal to take charge of
the Hammers this week, visited the Club's iconic home for the first time on
Tuesday evening.

And, after enjoying a Rolling Stones concert, Pellegrini expects the arena
to be rocking again to the sound of the Claret and Blue Army when the
2018/19 Premier League season kicks-off in August. "I managed a lot of times
against West Ham and the fans were always special fans," said Pellegrini,
who managed eight times against the Hammers during his three seasons at
Manchester City between 2013 and 2016.

Pellegrini visited the Boleyn Ground four times during his time at City,
drawing once and losing once – the latter as Premier League champions – so
he is fully aware of the power West Ham supporters have to inspire their
team on home turf.

"In the old stadium it was 35 or 36,000 people, but now in the new stadium
we have at least 55 or 57,000 people, so I hope the supporters will be a
very important part of the success we can have next season," the 64-year-old
observed. "I know very well that the West Ham fans are always behind their
team. Maybe they were not so happy last season, but I am sure next season we
are going to, all of us together, celebrate an important thing for this
team."

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Sir Trevor Brooking: Pellegrini can deliver stability and progression
WHUFC.com

Sir Trevor Brooking believes that the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini can
signal a fresh start and a bright future for West Ham United. The legendary
Hammers midfielder, who is part of the I'm Forever campaign for the Club's
new 2018/19 Umbro Home and Away kits, is confident that the Chilean's
experience – both in the Premier League and across European football – will
be of great benefit and is backing the former Manchester City boss to lead
his new team forward in the right direction. Speaking exclusively to
whufc.com, Sir Trevor said: "There has been a very positive reaction to
Manuel coming in. I think it's an opportunity to put a tough few months
behind us and look forward with optimism. "The first two years at London
Stadium have brought a number of difficult challenges, which is the case for
any club making a move to a new stadium, and the third year should really be
the point where we can put that behind us and look forward. "It is now a
clean break and a fresh start with the new manager, and we are looking
forward to seeing the impact he can make. His previous experience of the
Premier League is also a big positive. He's not coming into a league – or
the challenges within it – that he doesn't know. "He has good knowledge, he
did well in Spain, and he will have good awareness and contacts when it
comes to identifying potential new players."

With the summer transfer window always bringing great excitement and
anticipation throughout the Premier League, Sir Trevor admits that much
focus will be placed on Pellegrini's recruitment of new players over the
next couple of months, but urges patience and time when it comes to judging
the new manager's ability to bring success to London Stadium.

"Four or five new signings have been mentioned, and I think that is what
most fans will be hoping for," he says. "It's not always easy to conjure up
that number, though, and we've got to be sensible, patient, and give the
manager the backing and the time to make the additions he needs. "They have
got to be the right signings longer term. Manuel has got a three-year
contract, and we must give him the opportunity to make progression over that
period of time. "He doesn't need the pressure of being expected to
transform things overnight. It is extremely tough to break into the top six.
Hopefully next season we can establish ourselves in that second tier just
outside the top six, get the supporters enjoying the football that they are
watching, and make steps that take us forward. "I hope that Manuel is able
to be judged on what he does over the course of the three years. Stability
and progression are what is needed and we are all confident he can deliver
that."

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Manuel Pellegrini can attract top players to West Ham, says Carlton Cole
By Husmukh Kerai
Last Updated: 25/05/18 2:40pm
SSN

Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole expects new manager Manuel Pellegrini
to attract top players to the club during the summer transfer window. West
Ham confirmed the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager on a
three-year deal on Wednesday. The 64-year-old, who has previously managed
Real Madrid and Manchester City, left his role with Hebei China Fortune over
the weekend to join the Hammers. Sky Sports News understands he will earn
around £7m a year, although he will be taking a significant pay cut having
earned around £16m a year in China. Pellegrini has already revealed his
wishlist of up to five players as he promised an attacking revolution at
West Ham during his first press conference. Cole believes the Chilean can
attract top talent to the London Stadium. "Defnitely he is going to be
attracting a few top players that he wants to fit into the team now. He may
let a few go and let a few in. His money is going to be spent wisely," he
told Sky Sports News. "It's hard to [pick specific positions]. I think he
needs to galvanise the team he has already got and then add a few players
who can bring different angles to the team. Help approach the style of play
he wants. You have to look at his history - he likes to play the ball on the
floor. He's gonna get some ball players in, maybe a defender, midfielder and
striker."
Cole also says it is imperative that any players bought into the club
complement last season's 'Hammer of the Year', Marko Arnautovic. He added:
"He's our key player at the moment. If we can get a few players to play off
him and bring the best out of him even more, he'll turn out to be one of our
best players again next season."

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Steven Gerrard 'targets' James Collins to solidify Rangers backline
West Ham legend left the Hammers earlier in the week and Gerrard is
reportedly keen to bring him to Ibrox.
By Daily Record Sport Online
22:56, 25 MAY 2018UPDATED23:14, 25 MAY 2018

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is reportedly targeting a move for defender
James Collins. The 34-year-old stopper was released by West Ham and fits the
bills as the Ibrox manager looks to solidify a defence that shipped 50 goals
in the Premiership last season.
A move for Martin Skrtel is dead in the water due to the wage demands and
the fee it would cost to take Gerrard's former Liverpool team-mate to Ibrox.
Wales international Collins was freed by the Hammers earlier this week and
Gerrard would now like to bring him north of the border. The veteran spent
six season with the London side and made 214 appearances for West Ham where
he was adored by supporters. Brighton defender Connor Goldson is still high
on Rangers' summer transfer wishlist and Collins has now emerged as a
target, according to the Scottish Sun . It's been a busy summer already for
Gerrard in the transfer market after sealing deals for Allan McGregor, Scott
Arfield and Jamie Murphy. It's understood he also remains keen on Liverpool
winger Harry Wilson, who impressed during his loan with Hull City last
season.

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PELLEGRINI ALREADY TAKING ACTION REGARDING THE ACADEMY IS EXCITINGFeatured
Image
Date: 25th May 2018 at 12:29pm
Written by: Laura OLeary
readWestHam

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini is reportedly set to make changes to the
way the club handles its Under-23s team and his plan could be a game changer
for years to come. The Hammers have a wonderful academy brimming with
exciting prospects but only a handful of talents in recent years have got
anywhere close to the first-team, with even fewer being able to establish
themselves at the club. It's very important that there is a clear path from
the club's youth system all the way through to its first-team, as not only
does that see the best youngsters arrive at the club, it ensures the Hammers
keep all their hidden gems with them.

Claret & Hugh, a popular Hammers news site with reliable information,
reported on Friday that Pellegrini had plans for the U-23s team to train at
Rush Green in order for them to have much closer contact with the
first-team. The news outlet also revealed that this change would allow the
high-profile manager to keep a closer eye on flourishing talents, so he was
aware of their development.

It is believed that Pellegrini is currently reviewing dossiers on every
Hammers starlet that have been handed to him by academy manager Terry
Westley, and that he has already visited Chadwell Heath, which is where the
youngsters train. While the Hammers boss may have only been in charge for a
matter of days, with loads of promising reports emerging, this is clearly
the most exciting plan to emerge out of the London Stadium yet. If done
right, which it sounds like it is going to be, the Hammers will have a
constant flow of talent filtering through to their first-team, without
spending a penny on transfers. This would be a game changer for the club as
it would guarantee a situation where the first-team manager was never
depleted of options again, for example see how David Moyes struggled in the
tail end of last season when it came to finding midfielders. Therefore while
it may not directly effect the first-team yet, Pellegrini's reported plan
has the future in mind and will have a major game changing effect on the
club.

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WEST HAM IN POLE POSITION TO SIGN BARCELONA REJECT
JACK DAVIS @JackkDavis88
ForeverWestHam

West Ham are in pole position to sign Marlon from Barcelona B this summer.
Marlon Santos da Silva Barbosa, known as Marlon, joined Barcelona B on loan
from Fluminese in the summer of 2016. Later that year, he made his debut for
the Barcelona first team, whilst they were managed by the now Chelsea target
Luis Enrique. Having joined Barcelona on a permanent deal last summer, the
22-year-old was not included in the plans for the 2017-18 season so he
joined OGC Nice on a two-year loan deal.
Since joining the French side, the Brazilian's form has attracted the
interest of several clubs from the Prem, including West Ham and Leicester
City. The Hammers have already approached Barcelona and Nice to express
their interest in signing the centre-back this summer. West Ham may have to
compete with Leicester City who may feel they have the upper hand with the
player given Claude Puel's Nice connection.

Despite this it is reported in Spain that West Ham are the favourites to
sign the centre-back as Pellegrini looks to add to his squad ready for the
next season. Barcelona are yet to receive a "formal offer" from the east
London club.

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