I’m still caught in an air of frustration following Saturdays draw to Watford. Not to mention feeling a sense of impending doom against the league leaders Chelsea next. I’m hoping a brief news round up can lighten the mood.
West Ham expect to sign Kevin Malcuit from St Etienne in the summer – Sky Sports News HQ
FINALLY! West Ham are linked with what looks like an exciting right back at the peak of his career. Sky Sports News HQ have reported that Bilic failed to bring the 25-year old Frenchman to East London in the January window but will make a £10m bid in the summer.
This probably suggests that the entire Hammers fan base weren’t the only ones noticing an ongoing problem in that position. Sadly, we will have to endure another half of the season watching the rotating door of right backs continue but it looks like a promising start. Although Malcuit is not proven Premier League quality, he’s got four assists to his name so far and looks similar to Creswell in the way he can overlap and add to attacks down the right-hand side. Whilst St Etienne might have to replace the fullback, they will be satisfied with a £9.5m return on the player. Having signed him for just £500,000 from Ligue 2 side Chamois Niortais.
Typically it is not all plain sailing. Sky Sports News also revealed that following the player’s impressive performance against Man United last week, Mourinho is now keen on the player. Just when you thought the bloke couldn’t be any more annoying! Sky Sports News reported that Manchester United have now too sent scouts to France… great.
Andy Carroll linked with a number of Chinese clubs – numerous sources
Only West Ham would be interested in selling a striker. Let alone their top scoring one (not including Antonio). Andy Carroll this week has been linked to various different clubs in China, despite being in his best form of the season.
Articles this week have reported that the board has been in talks with Carroll’s agent to try to engineer a move to a number of Chinese clubs behind the players back. Confusingly, an article from Sky News reported that the club had recently rejected three offers from China before the Chinese Transfer window shut last week.
Perhaps Bilic has refused to sell his greatest attacking threat, but clearly, Carroll’s future at the club becomes less certain. Carroll’s persistent injury problems have left fans and apparently the club with very mixed feelings. Personally, I would be delighted to see us tie Carroll down with a new contract. His professionalism and impact on the squad when fit, contributes far more than the likes of injury prone and tour evading Sakho. Hopefully, Carroll will be back fit for the Chelsea game and prove his worth once more!
Nobody can believe it as West Ham’s London Stadium is shortlisted for Stadium of the Year – Mirror.co.uk
And my favourite headline of the week goes to…
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one surprised to see the club boasting the problematic London Stadium has been shortlisted for Stadium of the Year but it’s not quite April yet.
The competition launched in 2010 by Stadiony.net and StadiumDB.com and compares the world’s newest stadia from the last year. The club was quick to boast the achievement and encourage fans to vote for the Hammers new home… I think I’ll pass. I am lucky enough not to be sat in the blocks that require airport level security checks and a mile long entry queue. Similarly, contrary to the popular belief, I do not need binoculars from my upper tier, row 67 seat. However, the stadium flaws and still apparent. Mainly that a bit of tarpaulin and scaffolding seats do not hide that it’s an athletics stadium.
However, as I get used to sitting (and never persistently standing) at the new stadium it is beginning to feel more like home. Recent wins have lifted the mood inside the stadium. Not to mention the stadium tour revealing more of the state of the art facilities inside the stadium and the cracking hospitality suites. Let’s not forget there can’t also be many stadiums boasting UEFA category four status built in the last year. So Good luck to the London Stadium, you’re going to need it…