2017/2018 squad numbers unveiled
Our squad numbers for the 2017/2018 Premier League season have been revealed as we prepare for our opening-trip to Old Trafford later today. New signings Javier Hernandez, Marko Arnautovic, Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart and Sead Haksabanovic will take up the 17, 27, 5, 25 and 23 numbers respectively in their first-campaign in Claret & Blue.
Meanwhile, there has been one change of number by an existing squad member, as Jose Fonte takes the No4 spot that was occupied by Havard Nordtveit last-season. Last year’s Hammer of the Year Michail Antonio will keep his iconic No30, and star-man Manuel Lanzini will continue his stint as the No10.
Carabao Cup date set
The date of our Carabao Cup Second-Round tie away at Cheltenham Town has been scheduled for Wednesday 23 August at 7.45PM. The Hammers were drawn against The Robins at The London Stadium, but the fixture had to be reversed due to the World Athletics Championships that are taking place in Stratford.
The competition has also forced our first Premier League home-game of the season back into September, and will prove costly to Gold and Sullivan, who will need to pay compensation to Cheltenham for the tie-reversal. We reached The Quarter-Final of the then EFL Cup last-season, but were knocked out 4-1 by Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, our last encounter with Gary Johnson’s men resulted in victory in the same competition thanks to goals from Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison at Upton Park in 2013. So, how will we fare on our fourth-away trip of the month in Gloucestershire?
Autumn fixture changes announced
Sky Sports and BT Sport have announced their live Premier League fixtures for October and November with five-Hammers fixtures being moved.
Sky’s Friday Night Football will return to The London Stadium for the visit of Brighton and Leicester City, which have been moved back a day from October 21 and November 25 respectively. The home-tie with Liverpool in early-November has been pushed-back two-and-a-half hours to accommodate BT Sport, who will also broadcast our trip to Everton on November 29 at 8PM.
Another away-trip has been selected by Sky Sports for Super Sunday at Vicarage Road after-the international-break in November. The ties will be added to today’s trip to Old Trafford, the visit of Huddersfield, and the home clash with Spurs as televised games involving Bilic’s boys this-term. So, how will we fare in front of the cameras in our second-season at The London Stadium?
Transfer gossip: One in one out for Hammers?
It has been reported in the last few days by various Media Outlets that Liverpool have stepped-up their pursuit of our Argentina international midfielder Manuel Lanzini. The rumours have arisen in response of The Red’s own star man, Philippe Coutinho, handing in a transfer request at Anfield.
However, Slaven Bilic is reportedly not-willing to let Lanzini go for any-price, but the 24-year-old is yet to sign a new-deal at The London Stadium. So, will we be able to hold onto “The Jewell” in our crown?
It has been rumoured this week by The Telegraph that we are set to win the race for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho. The Portugal international has a release-clause of close-to £40 million and is understood to be the target of several Premier League clubs. However, we have reportedly had a bid of around £10 million less than the release-clause accepted and are close to agreeing personal-terms with the 25-year-old.
Will we be able to complete one of the signings of the summer and bring one of Europe’s brightest-midfielders to The London Stadium?