David Sullivan has given an interesting interview, in the Sports Mail, in which he talks of the plans for West Ham next season and beyond.
Revelation No. 1 is that Joe Cole has allegedly refused the opportunity to return to West Ham. No real surprise there then! Cole will want to go to a side that’s either qualified for the Champions League or has a good chance of doing so. At c. 28 years of age, Cole is going to want to make the best possible move for himself. Unfortunately, that means that he is more likely to join Man Utd, Arry’s Spurs or mega-wealthy Man City.
It would be nice to see Joe Cole rejoining the club and contributing to a resurgence, but it is not likely is it? Perhaps they should try again when he is 32 or 33 years of age and not so many attractive alternative offers are on the table?
Speaking of ‘senior’ footballers, Sullivan has declared his desire to sign Henry and Beckham for next season. Apparently, Henry has been offered a £75,000 per week deal and Beckham a loan deal in January 2011. To get them, Henry must reject the dosh available at MLS side, the New York Red Bulls and, presumably, Beckham must spurn the attractions of Milan. I am not too sure about Henry, but I can just see the Beckhams turning their back on the stylish fashion salons and lifestyle of Milan, in favour of the alternative urban chic of Green Street!
Perhaps Henry and Beckham might fancy a last hurrah in the PL? But at this stage in their careers are they worth the investment involved? Maybe there is an incentive in the number of West Ham shirts that can be sold with two such high profile names on them? Could be, but would they do equally as well on the pitch as in the club shop?
Elsewhere in the interview, Sullivan offers teasing clues that he is pursuing up to 50 transfer targets, with 4 or 5 likely to sign. Apparently two of those targets are a 20 year old Spanish centre half and an experienced German International. Any educated guesses?
Oh, and for all the Luis Boa Morte fans out there, the Portuguese Pele has been offered an contract extension on slightly reduced terms. What a massive relief! And there was also a heavy hint (or that’s the way it seemed to me) that Matt Upson could be on his way after the World Cup Finals, with him opting for a last opportunity at an unnamed ‘bigger club.’ Again, (at least for his critics) what a massive relief!
While, Carlton Cole has allegedly got a ‘Ledley King situation’ going on with respect to his knees. Apparently, with care, Cole can play 30 matches a season, but whether he can play 45 is open to question? The Co-Chairs obviously want to keep Carlton Cole. After all, why would you declare publicly that one of your prize transfer assets has a long standing knee problem that could restrict his future appearances for any buying club?
David Sullivan also suggests tentatively that it might be a good thing if the other 3 Hammers in the provisional 30 man England squad, follow Cole in not being selected for the WC Finals. The rationale being that they can all have some nice rest and relaxation, instead, and come back refreshed to the club for the start of pre-season training.
Mmmmm… in 1965-66, the West Ham side, in which Moore, Hurst, Peters and Byrne were fixtures, played a league programme, two FA Cup matches, reached the Semi-Finals of the League Cup and the Semi-finals of ECWC Final. That’s a hell of a lot of matches. Yet, three of the four were selected for the Finals and it brought untold distinction to them and unique reflected glory to the football club. They were still back for pre-season, two or three weeks later, and preparing for the start of the new season. Now, admittedly, the current players are not Moore, Hurst and Peters, but come on, playing in the World Cup is the ultimate pinnacle for a professional footballer. Surely, they do not need any incentive to do it, once every four years, and return to do the business in pre-season training for their club?
It is also confirmed that Avram Grant is the Co-Chairs’ managerial choice and should be arriving shortly. Yet, like the proverbial feet of a duck, paddling frantically unseen, beneath the serene surface of a lake, it appears that they have explored lots of other options. One likely recruit allegedly wanted mega bucks to fund the engagement of his existing coaching and backroom staff, another wanted a minimum transfer budget of £40m and a third would have joined, but got a last minute offer that was too good to refuse. Could the latter candidate be none other than Jose Mourinho? Damn, pipped at the post by pesky Real Madrid! It could prove a big, big, mistake Jose? Barca could be your wellington and La Ligue your Waterloo! Far better to have shown just how special you really are by getting West Ham into the top six of the PL on a modest transfer budget of approximately £250.25p!
Finally, every organisation, every enterprise, needs an inspiring and enduring vison. Ours is apparently to become the Arsenal of East London and Essex! Well, no one can say that it lacks a certain ambition. Personally, I would prefer to be the Manchester Utd of the south (no, Chelski, that most definitely is not you!). Or is that just a touch too ambitious?
SJ. Chandos.
Please let him be an ex-Hammer. Pretty please.
McCarthy will become super massive!!over summer now.
Capello must have a back up plan for Barry.
If Carrick gets the nod just because he plays for man ure I won't bother watching England.
Not all that keen on international anyway.
Lots its edge these days.
When you think about it, Chris, picking a 30-man squad was a total waste of time, money and effort. I think Capello knew who he was going to take and what his preferred line up will be. Nothing has changed.
lost sorry,
I was so excited about the World Cup a few months back but now I couldn't give a toss about it! After watching England against Mexico and Japan, I just really don't want to sit through more of that dross!
Says it all really…..
"Emile Heskey, striker, 58 caps 7 goals. Rene Higuita, keeper, 68 caps 8 goals. Jose Luis Chilavert, keeper, 74 caps 8 goals…"
England Starting 11 : –
Green
Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole
Gerrard, Holding Mid – Barry, Attacking Mid – Cole, Lampard
Rooney, Crouch
That's presuming Scotty Parker doesn't go.
I'm the same way as many here about the World Cup in that I feel 'flat' and relatively un-enthusiastic. To some extent because I felt that the last one was the best chance that this generation of players had to win it. Partially because of the lack of interest shown by Fabio Capello in Scott Parker. To a degree because teams from the home continent almost always win the tournament (I reckon the Ivory Coast might be worth a punt). Partly because our continued participation nearly always ends on Penalties and in some way because of the dreary season West Ham have just had.
It is world sport's biggest tournament, however, and once it starts I'm sure that I'll get in to it. It's also likely to be the first world cup my, footie mad, oldest boy will remember and so I'll put on an excited face for his sake. He's got the panini sticker book and has begun to fill it with stickers. Swaps at school to follow.
Gav, fifa are doing a virtual sticker book for free so you could do that and maybe regain the thrill?
Can we do swaps on that one too?
yeah but only one for one, and you only get shinys when you finish a team
Oh well – have signed up anyway. It's taking me back to my youth. What a laugh – never thought I'd collect Panini stickers again!
Some transfer mutterings of us being after Real Madrid Castilla 19 year old Ghana international right-back Daniel Opare. Like the look of him. Not sure what it might mean for Julien Faubert though.
probably mean moving him into midfield and selling behrami?
Hope so ClaretBobby. He sounds like he's a very similar kind of player to Julien, with slightly better defensive attributes, though.
Gav, i've got good money on Ivory coast reaching final.
There good value,spain brazil are no value at all.
Ivory have always been a bit shaky at the back,Im hoping Erick the vicking gets em sorted out.
ivory coast will get alot from the refs ,their lives depend on it.
Yeah – reckon that's a good bet Chris. Might also have a punt on us going out on penalties against Brazil in the Semi's.
Carrick just confirmed. Scott Parker's inclusion looking less and less likely now.
I think Capello will play the 442 through the group stages and think, and at least hope that for the later stages(if we get through) that he will play gerrard up front off Rooney. The 4 4 1 1 team looks extremely good.
442
Green
Johnson Terry Ferdinand Cole
Lennon Lampard Carrick Gerrard
Rooney Crouch
4 4 1 1
Green
Johnson Terry Ferdinand Cole
Lennon Lampard Carrick J Cole
Gerrard
Rooney
So, as we all knew, Scotty Parker hasn't made it to South Africa and the only real surprise was Walcott being left out in favour of Wright-Phillips. I suppose that Warnock, who hasn't played in either warm up game, is a bit of a surprise as well.
Of the 30 he chose from I would have taken Adam Johnson in place of SWP and Scotty instead of Carrick. Apart from that, the squad picked itself. Oh, and I would have taken Dawson before Upson.
Roy, I would have taken Les Dawson before Upson.
Carrick instead of Parker is a flippin Joke!
Carrick is not a defensive midfielder,hes a play maker.
SWP over Johnson ??????????
least upsons price has gone up.
If Barry gets injured its curtains!!!!!
Never really thought Parker was good enough for England. I think many West Ham fans fell into the trap of believing because he was our best player, that that would translate into international football. It clearly didn't with Fabio, and he clearly knows more than all of us combined.
Parker is a bit of a flat-track bully for me. Great against Wigan, Sunderland, Hull and most other teams outside the top six. Sadly for him, he was often outshone against the top sides with the better class players.
That said, I still believe G&S are right to build a team around him and I am quite happy that he has not be sent to South Africa to get splinters in his arse sitting on the bench.
Hopefully he'll come flying out the traps next season to prove Fabio (and me) wrong.
Equally, I can't believe Upson is on the plane. Lame decision. He went missing so many times last season it bordered on the criminal.
'Flat track bully' – sorry Lofty but you are well off the mark. In a recent interview with Ray 'Butch' Wilkins he stated that Parker would be a certainty in his squad. Butch said that Parker was the best player on the pitch in BOTH games agianst them and that he ran their midfield ragged…….Flat track bully my arse!
Sorry Lofty but Parker was immense against Chelski and practically played them on his own. He is the best defensive midfielder England have available and is the type of on the pitch leader that would become a national legend if given the chance.
Sorry, chaps…but Fabio has got it spot on with this one. I was at both Chelski games and Parker was okay, but certainly not outstanding. I think Mr Wilkins was being magnanimous in victory offering the beaten side a bit of a sop.
Granted, Parker scored a cracking goal at Stamford Bridge, but you are conveniently forgetting that Malouda ran us ragged, was voted man of the match and they dusted us 4-1.
I also saw Parker against most of the top six sides and stick with my verdict…good, but not good enough.