WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola has his first summer signing with Luis Jimenez joining from
Italian champions Inter
23.06.2009
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of Chile forward Luis
Jimenez from Serie A champions Internazionale on a season-long loan with a
view to a possible permanent transfer.
With fierce competition for Jimenez's services at home and abroad, West Ham
moved quickly to seal the deal with the player, who will have a medical when
he arrives in England next month, joining officially from 1 July. The
25-year-old is nicknamed 'El Mago' - The Wizard - for his playmaking
abilities and is a former team-mate of Valon Behrami at SS Lazio.
Speaking to whufc.com, Jimenez said: "I am very happy, very excited and very
determined to show what I can do. I am a player who loves to play football,
to be in a team that keeps the ball, to create opportunities and also score
goals. I can't promise anything but I am going to do everything possible to
do a good job for the club.
"I know West Ham are a fantastic club who have had a lot of great players. I
had options to join other clubs but I watched West Ham's last game of the
season and I liked it a lot. I preferred this option because I really admire
the way they try to play. Gianfranco Zola was one of the things that drew me
to West Ham - I can identify with the type of football he wants to play."
A past Chile player of the year - winning in 2006 ahead of compatriot Matias
Fernandez, voted South American's top player that same season - Jimenez has
not played for his country since March 2008 in order to focus fully on his
club career.
As such, he did not immediately meet Football Association work permit rules
but CEO Scott Duxbury led a successful Hammers delegation including
Gianfranco Zola to the FA earlier this month to ensure Jimenez was free to
play - with Inter coach Jose Mourinho lending his support. With vast
competition in attacking positions at Inter, the Italian champions for the
past four seasons agreed to his move to London.
Duxbury then flew to Milan to begin the negotiations last week alongside
technical director Gianluca Nani before the deal was finalised on Tuesday
afternoon. The CEO said: "I am pleased we have been able to secure Luis's
services. Many clubs were after him so we have had to work quickly. We were
determined to get the deal done as Gianfranco sees him as a player that can
add much to our attack next season."
Jimenez who first came to attention at Paolo Di Canio's former club Ternana
in Serie B and has also featured for ACF Fiorentina, is considered one of
the brightest talents in South America. After starting his career at Club
Deportivo Palestino in his homeland, the Santiago-born player moved to Italy
at the age of 18, making 88 league appearances for Ternana between 2002 and
2007, scoring 25 goals.
He moved to ACF Fiorentina for the second half of the 2005/06 season,
scoring three goals in 19 Serie A appearances. That season also saw him
voted as his country's finest and he was soon off to Lazio in January 2007.
The South American netted two goals in 16 loan appearances for the
Biancocelesti.
He joined Inter on loan at the start of the 2007/08 season and enjoyed a
successful first campaign at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium, scoring three
goals in 15 Serie A appearances and also netting in the 3-0 UEFA Champions
League victory over Fenerbahce in November 2007.
The Nerazzurri made Jimenez's move to Milan permanent in the summer of 2008,
with Inter claiming the title in his first campaign. With the likes of
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Dejan Stankovic, Mario Balotelli and Mancini already at
Mourinho's disposal and Diego Milito arriving, Inter are going for a fifth
straight success in 2009/10.
At international level, Jimenez made his full debut for Chile against Peru
on 28 April 2004, going on to be named in his country's squad for the 2004
Copa America in Peru. To date, he has scored twice in 20 matches.
He went on to appear in five of his country's qualifying matches for the
2006 FIFA World Cup, scoring in the 2-1 home win over Venezuela, and became
national team captain at the age of 22. He has appeared in two 2010
qualifiers so far. Marcelo Bielsa's side are riding high in third in the
South American qualifying standings, a point behind second-placed Brazil and
four points adrift of leaders Paraguay. The top five teams qualify
automatically for next summer's finals in South Africa.
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Sweden in duo's way
WHUFC.com
Stuart Pearce's England will take on the host nation in the semi-finals of
the 2009 UEFA Under-21 Euro
23.06.2009
Mark Noble and James Tomkins will hope to figure when England take on hosts
Sweden in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship on
Friday.
The conclusion of Group A on Tuesday night saw the home nation - with
free-scoring Marcus Berg scoring twice - confirm second spot behind section
winners Italy with a 3-1 defeat of Serbia as the Azzurrini were winning 2-1
against Belarus. Group B winners England will be the home team for the match
which gets under way at 5pm London time, before Italy take on Germany, Group
B's runners-up, at 7.45pm in Helsingborg.
Noble captained England to their 2-1 and 2-0 wins against Finland and Spain
before sitting out Monday night's Group B decider against Germany with the
Young Lions already through to the last four. James Tomkins, a late
substitute against the Finns, played the whole 90 minutes of the 1-1 draw
with Germany and impressed enough to give Stuart Pearce plenty of food for
thought in the knockout stages.
One of four England players who figured in the 2007 edition, Noble will be
hoping to go one better than last time when Pearce's side missed out on the
final after losing to the Netherlands - also the host nation - with a 13-12
penalty shoot-out defeat. Nigel Reo-Coker was the captain for that
tournament - meaning the second successive finals where a West Ham player
has worn the armband.
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Tomkins targets semi start
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins is eager to keep his place in the England U21 side for their
UEFA Euro 2009 semi-final
23.06.2009
England Under-21 defender James Tomkins has stated his intention to hold on
to his starting place after making his competitive debut for Stuart Pearce's
side.
Tomkins, who made his U21 debut in the 7-0 friendly win over Azerbaijan in
Milton Keynes earlier this month, started England's 1-1 UEFA European U21
Championship Group B draw with Germany in Halmstad on Monday.
Having already secured their semi-final place, former Hammers favourite
Pearce made ten changes to the team that beat Spain 2-0 in their second
fixture, with captain Mark Noble among those given a rest.
Tomkins and Chelsea's Michael Mancienne were drafted in to replace
Manchester City duo Nedum Onuoha and Micah Richards, and the 20-year-old is
now aiming to keep his place when England take on host nation Sweden on
Friday.
"There are a lot of youngsters here and they're doing really well for
themselves and I think everyone is pushing for their place at the moment
because the whole team is performing well," Tomkins told theFA.com. "We're
just looking forward to the next game, the semi-final. It's a massive game
and it's going to be a great experience."
Looking back on the Germany match, the result of which saw England top their
group, Tomkins was happy with his own performance. However, he knows he must
maintain a high level if he is to keep the likes of Richards, Onuoha and
Mancienne out of Pearce's starting eleven.
"I think it was a good experience for myself and the other lads who hadn't
started [the previous games]. So it was good to get the game under our belts
and now look forward to the next game," said Tomkins. "I think I got better
as the game went on. It was my first competitive start so it was a good
experience. It was brilliant to come out and sing the national anthem and
hopefully [the experience] will stand me in good stead for years to come."
Whether he is picked for the semi-final or not, Tomkins believes England
have all the tools needed to win the European Championship for the third
time in the nation's history. Noble is expected to return to the side on
Friday as England seek their first U21 crown since 1984.
"The 23-man squad we've got here has a lot of quality in it," Tomkins added.
"The lads who started [the first two games] have had a little rest and given
the other lads the chance to show what they can do.
"I think it was a good tester for us because you don't get much bigger than
Germany. I think all the lads did themselves justice. The way we're playing
at the moment we're full of confidence and obviously having not lost a game
yet we're not fearing anyone. Whoever we get next, we're all looking forward
to it."
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Behrami working hard
WHUFC.com
He may be back at home in Lugano, but Valon Behrami's thoughts are never far
away from the club
23.06.2009
Valon Behrami arrived back in Switzerland this week from holiday but is
continuing to work hard on his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament
injury.
The hugely popular midfielder has identified mid-August for a potential
return, having been hurt back on 1 March during the 1-0 home win against
Manchester City. Behrami is almost certain to miss the big Barclays Premier
League kick-off on 15 August but will hope to be in advanced training by
that point.
To date, he has been working hard in the swimming pool and pushing himself
as much as possible on rehabilitation machines and exercise bikes. As was
the case with Terry Dixon and Scott Parker, the club's two other sidelined
first-teamers who are building up their fitness after respective knee and
groin injuries, the club has made sure Behrami has close personal attention
from a member of the medical staff while away from Chadwell Heath.
He said: "My work is going very well and if I continue like this on 10
August I will start back with the team, try to kick the ball and join in
with my team-mates. After two or three weeks working at a high intensity, in
the last week of August I hope to be back in the team for a game."
Behrami also has an eye on being back for his country's meeting with Greece
in FIFA World Cup qualifying on 5 September. The Basel contest sees the top
two teams in Group 2 - level on 13 points - go head to head but all that
concerns him is pulling on the claret and blue shirt again.
"The first thing is to make a proper return with West Ham and only then can
I think about the national team," added the 24-year-old.
"I have to thank West Ham because they said I can go home and someone will
come to work with me. They are a good club and this shows that."
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West Ham sign Jimenez from Inter
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has made Inter Milan striker Luis Jimenez his
first signing of the summer. The Chilean, 25, joins the Hammers on a
season-long loan with a view to a possible permanent move. Jimenez,
nicknamed the Wizard, will officially join the Premier League club on 1 July
pending a successful medical. "I can't promise anything but I am going to
everything possible to do a good job for the club," Jimenez told West Ham's
website. Jimenez has won 20 international caps, but last played for his
country in March 2008 as he concentrated on winning a place in Inter's
attack. Although this meant he failed to meet the necessary quota of
international appearances to pass work permit rules, the case put forward by
the Hammers - with the support of Inter manager Jose Mourinho - to the
Football Association secured his switch. Jimenez made his name in Italy at
Serie B side Ternana, where he scored 25 goals in 88 league appearances
between 2002 and 2007. Short spells at Fiorentina and Lazio followed before
a loan spell at the Nerazzurri was made permanent in the summer of 2008.
Jimenez will have to prove himself in a Hammers front line that already
includes Carlton Cole, Dean Ashton, Savio Nsereko and Diego Tristan if he is
to extend his stay at Upton Park. Manager Gianfranco Zola has converted last
season's loan signings of defender Herita Ilunga and goalkeeper Peter Kurucz
into permanent deals.
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Chim Jimenez
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 23rd June 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed the loan signing of Luis Jiminez from Inter.
The Chilean international captain's arrival was confirmed this evening on
whufc.com. Jimenez - who leaves the San Siro after two seasons with Inter -
said: "I am very happy, very excited and determined to show what I can do. I
am a player who loves to play football, to be in a team that keeps the ball,
to create opportunities and also score goals. I can't promise anything but I
am going to do everything possible to do a good job for the club. "I know
West Ham are a fantastic club who have had a lot of great players. I had
options to join other clubs but I watched West Ham's last game of the season
and I liked it a lot. I preferred this option because I really admire the
way they try to play. "Gianfranco Zola was one of the things that drew me
to West Ham - I can identify with the type of football he wants to play."
The deal was finally tied up earlier this afternoon following weeks of
speculation. A work permit for Jimenez was secured earlier this month, as
previously reported here on KUMB.com. Jimenez becomes West Ham's second
Chilean player following centre half Javier Margas, who played under Harry
Redknapp in the late 1990s.
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Hammers miss out
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 23rd June 2009
By: Staff Writer
Chelsea are reported to have signed Hammers target Daniel Sturridge. The
19-year-old striker is out of contract at Manchester City this summer and
had been linked with Aston Villa along with West Ham and Chelsea. However
Sky Sports report this afternoon that the West London club have won the race
to sign the England under 21, who is currently on duty with Stuart Pearce's
squad at the European Championships in Sweden. Despite being a free agent
following the culmination of his contract at Eastlands, Sturridge will cost
his potential buyers around £4million in compensation due to the player
being under the age of 24. Manchester City are reported to be holding out
for at least double that figure; the final fee will be decided by tribunal
later this year. The Citizens opted not to renew the teenager's contract
due to what were considered to be unreasonable demands (with one source
suggesting that Sturridge had requested upwards of £50,000 per week). The
Hammers are thought to have spoken with Sturridge - who scored four goals in
16 appearances for City last season - about a potential move, but the lure
of sitting on Chelsea's bench clearly proved too much of a temptation.
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Faubert: I lost it
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 23rd June 2009
By: Staff Writer
Julien Faubert says he wants to rediscover his appetite for football at West
Ham. The 25-yeard-old French winger, who spent the second half of last
season on loan at Real Madrid is back at West Ham after the Spanish giants
not unsurprisingly failed to take up the option to exercise their option to
buy. With his future still uncertain, Faubert admitted that he had become
disillusioned with life at West Ham having been out of the first team
picture - but says he is now ready to ressurect his career in London having
spent the majority of his spell in Spain kicking his heels on the bench. "I
don't want to waste any more time," he said. "I want to recapture the taste
for football because for a moment I had lost it. "It has been difficult
because I never received an explanation about my [lack of] playing time. I
had to be patient, but it was easy to attack me - the Frenchman who never
played. I was the scapegoat. "[But] I sense a great willingness from the
management to keep me. I know that the club are looking for a right winger
and I see myself in that position. I especially want to settle down, to stop
endlessly moving, for me and my family."
Faubert - who was linked in the French media with a move to Tottenham last
week - also said that he enjoyed his spell at Real Madrid, even though he
made just two appearances during his four months on loan. "I have the taste
on incompleteness in my mouth, but I still enjoyed Real Madrid," he added.
"A great club with great players.
"When I realised I would not be playing I concentrated on myself. Now I move
on to something else." Despite Faubert's apparent change of heart West Ham
are still thought to be willing to listen to offers for the former Bordeaux
player, who cost United just over £6million in the summer of 2007.
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Tour date confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 23rd June 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will face local outfit side Fürstenfeld on their Austrian
tour. The town - boasting a population of just 7,000 - will host the Hammers
and their travelling contingent when the sides meet in Fürstenfeld on
Wednesday, 15th July. Fürstenfeld currently play in Austria's Sparkassen
Landesliga and narrowly missed out on winning the title last season,
eventually finishing in third place behind Favia Solva and Kalsdorf. The
fixture is the second confirmed game of the tour with the Hammers already
set to meet Werder Bremen in Bad Waltersdorf on Saturday, 18th July. KUMB
understands that Gianfranco Zola's side could be playing up to four games on
the tour; dates of the remaining fixtures are expected to follow soon.
Current pre-season dates
Grays Athletic (a): July 12th
Austrian Tour (confirmed dates): Fürstenfeld (15th July), Werder Bremen
(18th July)
Asia Cup (Beijing): Tottenham (29th July), Final v Hull/Beijing (31st July)
Kingstonian (a): July 31st
Napoli (h): Saturday, August 8th
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Hammers seal Jimenez deal
Chilean agrees season-long loan deal at Upton Park
By Chris Burton Last updated: 23rd June 2009
SSN
West Ham have completed their first piece of summer transfer business by
signing Luis Jimenez on a season-long loan from Inter Milan. The deal taking
the Chilean to Upton Park includes a clause allowing the Hammers to make the
move permanent next summer. The 25-year-old will officially join the club on
1st July, when he is also due to undergo a medical in England. Jimenez is
delighted to have completed the deal, having struggled to make an impact at
Inter last term, and is looking forward to testing himself in the Premier
League. "I am very happy, very excited and very determined to show what I
can do," he told the club's official website. "I am a player who loves to
play football, to be in a team that keeps the ball, to create opportunities
and also score goals. I can't promise anything but I am going to do
everything possible to do a good job for the club. "I know West Ham are a
fantastic club who have a lot of great players. I had options to join other
clubs but I watched West Ham's last game of the season and I liked it a lot.
"I preferred this option because I really admire the way they try to play.
Gianfranco Zola was one of the things that drew me to West Ham - I can
identify with the type of football he wants to play."
Meanwhile, West Ham technical director Ginaluca Nani has also spoken of his
delight at sealing the deal. "I am pleased we have been able to secure
Luis's services," he said. "Many clubs were after him so we have had to work
quickly. We were determined to get the deal done as Gianfranco sees him as a
player that can add much to our attack next season."
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Gudjohnsen on his way to Upton Park?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 23rd June 2009
By: Thomas Rooney
Barcelona strike Eidur Gudjohnsen is set to quit the Spanish club after
being told by Pep Guardiola that he doesn't figure in his plans at the Nou
Camp for next season.
With his future up in the air, it is being reported that the former Chelsea
striker is keen on a return to the Premier League. Despite being contracted
for another year, it is thought that his price tag could be as little as £5m
as well.
This figure has alerted several Premier League clubs – including, according
to reports, West Ham. Gianfranco Zola is apparently interested in the
striker as he looks to build a squad capable of pushing for a top six finish
next year.
The Italian faces competition from Blackburn and Tottenham though who are
both keen to monitor Gudjohnsen's progress. The player himself admitted last
month that there has been 'a lot of interest' from clubs in England.
As for the prospect of returning to England, he says that he had a 'great
time' in the Premier League last time and that he 'enjoyed great success'
for Chelsea in particular. Gudjohnsen proved himself time and time again
before moving to Spain, so he would surely be a good signing for West Ham
United?
The only question mark is whether he still has the ability and determination
that he had back in 2006 when he was last playing in England. Has the lack
of games at Barcelona slowed down his progress as a player? Has his
confidence taken a knock having been overlooked more often than not by
Guardiola?
Personally, I think it would be worth the risk – especially at just £5m. He
believes he will 'easily adapt' back to the English game, so the confidence
is still there on his part. Zola is the type of manager to get the best out
of him as well.
The West Ham boss would have played with Gudjohnsen at Stamford Bridge as
well, so there is a connection there. There is something to convince the
striker to choose Upton Park over White Hart Lane or Ewood Park.
This is something we will have to wait and see on though. I just wanted to
gather opinion. Would you take the opportunity to sign the 30-year-old? Do
you think he is the type of striker that West Ham need? What could he add to
the team?
To give my short answers to these three questions – Yes, West Ham should try
and sign him. Yes, he could add an extra dimension to the attack. He would
add creativity and goals, attributes which could help take the Hammers to
the next level.
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Sunderland, West Ham and Everton eye Newcastle star Beye
Sunderland Echo
SAFC latest
23 June 2009
By Miles Starforth
A trio of clubs - including Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland - are ready to test
Newcastle United's resolve to hold on to Habib Beye. An emotional Beye
pledged his allegiance to Newcastle in the wake of the club's relegation to
the Championship at the end of last season. However, the experienced
defender - a contender to take the captain's armband next season - is said
to be growing disillusioned with the continued turmoil at mangerless United,
having hoped Alan Shearer would be quickly installed to guide the club back
into the Premier League. And Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, Everton and West
Ham are all understood to be weighing up moves for the 31-year-old, who has
one year left on his St James's Park contract. Shearer, should he take
charge on a permanent basis, has made it clear he would want to hold on to
Beye, who has proved an influential figure since joining from Olympique
Marseille in the summer of 2007. However, he is also one of the club's most
saleable assets, with the club acutely aware he could leave on a free
transfer in a year's time.
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Ashton top of Stoke's shopping list
TeamTalk
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has stepped up his efforts to get his transfer
activity underway, with West Ham striker Dean Ashton his new top target. The
Potters are yet to begin their predicted summer spending spree but Pulis is
now back at the club after three weeks off and he is believed to be in talks
with a number of players and their agents.
Pulis is looking for additions in every area but he is particularly keen to
add quality in the final third and TEAMtalk understands England hitman
Ashton has jumped to the top of his shopping list. The Potters boss
enquired about Portsmouth's Peter Crouch before the season finished, while
an offer is believed to have been lodged for Marseille's Djibril Cisse who
wants a move back to the Premier League. However, Pulis has been alerted to
the surprise availability of Ashton and is ready to take a risk on luring
him back to the North-West. Stoke are happy to meet West Ham's asking price
for the former Crewe star, while wages will not be a problem, but the move
rests on the injury-plagued 25-year-old passing a medical. Ashton actually
started his career with Stoke, playing for one of their youth teams Stone
Dominoes, but it was with local rivals Crewe where he really made his name.
Sixty one goals in five years at Gresty Road earned Ashton a £3million move
to Norwich and further success for the Canaries saw West Ham pay £7million
to take him to Upton Park. An impressive start to life with the Hammers then
saw Ashton called up by England, but he suffered a broken ankle away with
the national side that saw him ruled out for the entire 2006/07 season. He
scored 11 goals the following season and looked set to be a key part of
Gianfranco Zola's plans when the Italian took over in East London in
September last year. However Zola saw Ashton pick up another ankle injury in
his first ever training session and is willing to cash in on the player
rather than risk him suffering a further setback and missing more action.
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Spurs target Julien Faubert determined to fight for his West Ham future
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:41 PM on 23rd June 2009
Daily Mail
Julien Faubert insists he has no regrets over his loan move to Real Madrid -
despite being made a scapegoat by Bernabeu fans for their disappointing
season. And with reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur, the France winger
says he is only concentrating on improving his game back at West Ham United.
Faubert played just 52 minutes after signing for Madrid in January and was
criticised for seeming to fall asleep when on the bench at Villarreal last
month. 'I have the taste on incompleteness in my mouth, but I still enjoyed
Real Madrid: a great club with great players,' said Faubert. 'When I
realised I would not be playing I concentrated on myself. Now I move on to
something else. 'I don't want to waste any more time. I want to recapture
the taste for football because for a moment I had lost it. 'It has been
difficult because I never received an explanation about my (lack of) playing
time. I had to be patient, but it was easy to attack me - the Frenchman who
never played. I was the scapegoat.' French radio station RMC last week
reported that Tottenham Hotspur were looking at the former Bordeaux player.
But the 25-year-old has three years left on his West Ham contract and is
determined to force his way into Gianfranco Zola's team after previously
falling out of favour at Upton Park. 'I sense a great willingness from the
management to keep me,' said Faubert. 'I know that the club are looking for
a right winger and I see myself in that position. 'I especially want to
settle down, to stop endlessly moving, for me and my family.'
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Hammer Behrami back in business
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 23 June 2009 - 7:34 PM
West Ham star Valon Behrami reckons he could be back in first-team action by
the end of August after stepping up his recovery from his nightmare knee
injury. The Swiss international has been sidelined since March after
suffering a cruciate ligament injury and will also miss the first three
games of next season.But after undergoing a strenuous rehabilitation
programme at the club's training ground, Behrami has set his sights on
returning to the fold by the time West Ham take on Blackburn on August 29.
He said: "My work is going very well and if I continue like this on 10
August I will start back with the team, try to kick the ball and join in
with my team-mates. "After two or three weeks working at a high intensity,
in the last week of August I hope to be back in the team for a game."
Behrami is also hoping to play a part in Switzerland's World Cup qualifiers
in early September but says he is only concentrating on making sure he is
fit enough to start for Gianfranco Zola's side. He told the club's official
website: "The first thing is to make a proper return with West Ham and only
then can I think about the national team. "I have to thank West Ham because
they said I can go home and someone will come to work with me. They are a
good club and this shows that."
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Goal.com Italy: Luis Jimenez Could Flourish With West Ham
Goal.com
Having secured the services of Inter Milan midfielder Luis Jimenez on a
season-long loan, West Ham look forward to unveiling their catch officially
on July 1, provided the Chile international passes a medical. However, with
Gianfranco Zola believing that he has made a shrewd move in borrowing the
25-year-old, we opted to ask Goal.com Italy's chief editor Sergio Stanco for
his professional opinion on the matter. Quizzing him on the matter of where
the attack-minded Chilean would be deployed, he replied, "Jimenez can play
anywhere in the midfield area as well as a deep lying striker - or as a
'trequartista' as we call it over here. "He plays wonderfully on either side
of the pitch, whether it be in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. He's a talented young man."
Stanco also commented on how well Jimenez might perform in England, stating
that he could reach his peak - if he approaches the Premier League with the
right attitude. "As with all technical players who have played in Serie A
before moving to England - [Paulo] Di Canio, Zola and [Benito] Carbone, for
example - he definitely has the potential to be a great. "However, he will
need to show heart and a strong will if he plans to succeed. "We have been
talking about Jimenez over here since he was 19 and we're still waiting for
him to explode. Perhaps England will be the place that he really opens up."
Left somewhat dumbfounded by the switch, Signore Stanco feels that Jose
Mourinho could have made a mistake in loaning out a player who is ready to
shine. "Personally, I don't understand the move. I think this could be his
season, but clearly Mourinho doesn't agree with me. "From what I can tell,
Inter don't have a lot of faith in his ability, so I reckon it's possible
that he could stay in England. "But in the end, it all depends on his
performances."
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Spurs linked but Faubert wants West Ham stay
24.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United midfielder Julien Faubert hopes to stay at Upton Park.
French radio RMC says Faubert is attracting interest from Tottenham. But he
says: "I sense a great willingness from the management to keep me. I know
that the club are looking for a right winger and I see myself in that
position. "I especially want to settle down, to stop endlessly moving, for
me and my family."
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Inter Milan's Jimenez "happy, excited" about West Ham move
24.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
Inter Milan midfielder Luis Jimenez is delighted with his loan switch to
West Ham United. Jimenez told the club's official website, whufc.co.uk: "I
am very happy, very excited and very determined to show what I can do." The
25-year-old Chilean, nicknamed El Mago (The Wizard) for his playmaking
abilities, continued: "I am a player who loves to play football, to be in a
team that keeps the ball, to create opportunities and also score goals. "I
can't promise anything but I am going to do everything possible to do a good
job for the club. "I know West Ham are a fantastic club who have had a lot
of great players. I had options to join other clubs but I watched West Ham's
last game of the season and I liked it a lot. "(Manager) Gianfranco Zola was
one of the things that drew me to West Ham - I can identify with the type of
football he wants to play."
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West Ham's Behrami targets August return
24.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami aims to be back in action for
mid-August. He told whufc.com: "My work is going very well and if I continue
like this on 10 August I will start back with the team, try to kick the ball
and join in with my team-mates. "After two or three weeks working at a high
intensity, in the last week of August I hope to be back in the team for a
game."
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West Ham chief Duxbury: Many clubs wanted Jimenez
24.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United have clinched a work permit for new loan signing Luis
Jimenez. Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury led a successful delegation,
including manager Gianfranco Zola, to the FA earlier this month. Duxbury
then flew to Milan to begin the negotiations last week alongside technical
director Gianluca Nani, before the deal was finalised yesterday afternoon.
He said: "I am pleased we have been able to secure the services of Luis.
"Many clubs were after him, so we have had to work quickly. We were
determined to get the deal done, because Gianfranco sees him as a player
that can add much to our attack next season."
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West Ham's Faubert has no Real Madrid regrets
24.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United midfielder Julien Faubert has no regrets over his six months
at Real Madrid. "I have the taste on incompleteness in my mouth, but I still
enjoyed Real Madrid: a great club with great players," said Faubert. "When I
realised I would not be playing I concentrated on myself. Now I move on to
something else. "I don't want to waste any more time. I want to recapture
the taste for football because for a moment I had lost it. "It has been
difficult because I never received an explanation about my (lack of) playing
time. I had to be patient, but it was easy to attack me - the Frenchman who
never played. I was the scapegoat."
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West Ham's Tomkins: U21 Euros great experience
24.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United defender James Tomkins is hopeful of a starting spot for
England U21 in the Euros semifinal. "There are a lot of youngsters here and
they're doing really well for themselves and I think everyone is pushing for
their place at the moment because the whole team is performing well,"
Tomkins told theFA.com. "We're just looking forward to the next game, the
semi-final. It's a massive game and it's going to be a great experience."
Looking back on the Germany match, the result of which saw England top their
group, Tomkins was happy with his own performance. However, he knows he must
maintain a high level if he is to keep the likes of Richards, Onuoha and
Mancienne out of Pearce's starting eleven. "I think it was a good experience
for myself and the other lads who hadn't started [the previous games]. So it
was good to get the game under our belts and now look forward to the next
game," said Tomkins. "I think I got better as the game went on. It was my
first competitive start so it was a good experience. It was brilliant to
come out and sing the national anthem and hopefully [the experience] will
stand me in good stead for years to come."
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Everton, West Ham move for unsettled Newcastle defender Taylor
23.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
Everton and West Ham United are being linked with unsettled Newcastle United
defender Steven Taylor. The Daily Star says the Geordie has become
increasingly disillusioned with the lack of activity at St James's Park, not
least the fact that Alan Shearer still doesn't know if he will be in charge
next season.
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