Jonathan Calleri to West Ham United: Latest Loan Details, Comments and Reaction
Aug 11, 2016
Jonathan Calleri of Brazil's Sao Paulo celebrates after scoring against Colombia's Atletico Nacional, during their 2016 Copa Libertadores semifinal football match at Atanasio Girardot stadium, in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia, on July 13, 2016. / AFP / Luis Acosta (Photo credit should read LUIS ACOSTA/AFP/Getty Images)
West Ham Unitedhave completed the capture of Jonathan Calleri from Deportivo Maldonado, with the young forward signing on a season-long loan.
News of the 22-year-old’s move came via the club on Thursday:
Calleri arrives in the Premier Leaguewith an impressive reputation, having previously excelled with Boca Juniors at La Bombonera and during a stint on loan with Sao Paolo.
Here’s a look at why the Hammers decided to take a chance on the man from Buenos Aires:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rlWtSMwzas
For West Ham, this has the potential to be a brilliant acquisition. Calleri seems to possess all the attributes to cope with the Premier League, having shown physicality, technical ability and a sharpness in tight positions around the penalty area. The enthusiastic manner in which he plays the game made him a big hit in Argentina, too.
WhoScored.com summed up the player's main strengths and the areas where he needs to improve:
At London's Olympic Stadium, he'll have to battle for a spot in the starting XI, with Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia both very handy forwards. But Calleri has shown he's got the quality to lead the line for the Irons, and he'll have plenty of service.
Indeed, Dimitri Payet was one of the most creative players in the Premier League last season, while the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Michail Antonio, Sofiane Feghouli and Gokhan Tore are all adept at playing supporting roles to the centre-forward.
While there is much to be excited about when it comes to Calleri, it’s also worth noting that he’s the kind of player who may take some time to settle. Making the switch from South America to Europe is a big step for youngsters, with the pace of the game and standard of opponent increased.
If he doesn’t hit the ground running, it won’t be for a lack of trying. Making a significant move at such a young age is testament to Calleri’s ambition to go to the very top of the game, and he’ll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of many Argentinian forwards who have taken European football by storm.
Andre Ayew to West Ham: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More
Aug 8, 2016
SWINDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Andre Ayew of Swansea City during the pre-season friendly between Swindon Town and Swansea City at County Ground on July 27, 2016 in Swindon, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Ayew was impressive in his debut Premier League term, bagging 12 goals in total. The former Olympique de Marseille man showed his worth in a variety of different positions, excelling out wide, off the striker and even at the point of the attack.
As these numbers from OptaJoe show, he’s a player who was crucial to Swansea last term:
33% - Andre Ayew was directly involved in 33% of Swansea's goals in the PL last season (12 goals, 2 assists). Blow. pic.twitter.com/4izMuIx2Hs
The 26-year-old will bring plenty of qualities to the West Ham attack. Ayew is brilliant technical player, able to find space in tight defences and jink past opponents. That makes him difficult to handle and someone who is able to win set pieces in dangerous areas.
With the ball at his feet, Ayew is very capable. The Ghana man can pick a pass and has a rasping shot, key traits in his impressive haul of goals and assists in 2015-16.
SWINDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Andre Ayew of Swansea City during the pre-season friendly between Swindon Town and Swansea City at County Ground on July 27, 2016 in Swindon, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Despite not being the most physically intimidating at 5'8", it’s a side of the English game Ayew embraced. Indeed, for his height, he’s a major threat in the air, a strong runner and someone who uses his body well to hold off opponents.
He’ll face a fight to get into the team on a regular basis at the London Stadium, with the likes of Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Sofiane Feghouli, Gokhan Tore and Michail Antonio battling for starting spots.
But if Ayew shows the same standards at West Ham as he did at Swansea, he’ll be a tough man to oust.
Insider Buzz: Gokhan Tore Completes Medical; Set to Finalise West Ham Move
Jul 7, 2016
Winger Gokhan Tore had a fantastic season for Besiktas.
In the video above, Bleacher Report Insider Dean Jones reveals that Tore is nearly a West Ham player and that his relationship with Slaven Bilic played a big part in his decision to move.
Insider Buzz: West Ham Prepare New Alexandre Lacazette Bid; Player Has Doubts
Jun 19, 2016
Alexandre Lacazette has been one of West Ham United's top summer targets for some time.
In the video above, Bleacher Report Insider Dean Jones reveals that the Hammers will have to bid closer to £40 million in order to land their man, and the player might not even be interested in a move if the price is met.
Sofiane Feghouli to West Ham: Latest Transfer Details and Reaction
Jun 14, 2016
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 21: Sofiane Feghouli of Valencia looks on during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and UD Las Palmas at Estadi de Mestalla on November 21, 2015 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)
West Ham United are set to sign Algeria international winger Sofiane Feghouli on a free transfer, it was confirmed on Tuesday.
The Valencia man’s acquisition was revealed by the club’s official Twitter feed, with the 26-year-old penning a three-year deal that will start on July 1:
Feghouli’s contract with the Spanish side is up at the end of this month, ending six years at the Mestalla. He represented Valencia 146 times in La Liga, netting 20 goals in the progress. He has also represented his country on 40 occasions.
“I am very happy to sign for the Hammers and for [manager] Slaven Bilic,” he told the club’s official website. “The history of the club is important for me in my decision. Playing in the Premier League is very important for players in their careers, and I am happy to play for the Hammers.”
Here is a look at what West Ham fans can expect from their latest signing at the Olympic Stadium next season:
Feghouli moved to Valencia in 2010 after a successful stint with Grenoble. He cemented his status in the first team with Los Che after a spell on loan with Almeria, offering a dynamic and persistent threat on the right flank.
On the international stage, he has represented Algeria at three major tournaments and was especially impressive at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he netted against Belgium.
Squawka Football offered a statistical breakdown of what kind of attributes Feghouli will bring to the east London club in 2015-16:
Feghouli is the right kind of fit for Bilic’s side. While he has class on the ball, the Algeria man also has an appetite for the game. He works well on the right flank, happy to forage back and help in defence as well as bursting forward into dangerous areas. Additionally, he’ll be another West Ham player that excels in the air.
BILBAO, SPAIN - OCTOBER 04: Sofiane Feghouli of Valencia CF duels for the ball with Benat Etxebarria of Athletic Club Bilbao during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and Valencia CF at San Mames Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Bilbao, Spain.
The Algeria man should thrive in English football due to his vibrant and industrious playing style, and in a manner not too dissimilar to his new team-mate Dimitri Payet, those diligent qualities will give him a foothold in matches from which he can show his quality.
As we can see courtesy of WhoScored.com, Feghouli has shown his visionary traits consistently in La Liga:
Sofiane Feghouli: Has created more chances from open play (148) than any other player for Valencia in the last 5 La Liga seasons
Given his standing in the game, age and Valencia’s own recent decline, the time is right for Feghouli to embark on a new challenge. At times he’s been a little frustrated in the white jersey and alongside cerebral attacking stars like Payet and Manuel Lanzini, has the chance to help forge a formidable attacking setup at West Ham.
The Hammers deserve great credit for this piece of business, especially having already landed Havard Nordtveit in a similar deal. With new players incoming and a new stadium to move into next season, the club are on the cusp of an exciting spell in their existence.
Havard Nordtveit to West Ham: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More
May 16, 2016
(L-R) Havard Nordtveit of Borussia Monchengladbach, Thomas Muller of Bayern Munchen during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern München on December 5, 2015 at the Borussia-Park in Mönchengladbach, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Former Arsenal midfielder Havard Nordtveit has signed for West Ham United, and he will join the Hammers on a free transfer in the summer after a successful spell with Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Hammers announced the deal on their Twitter feed on Monday:
"It has always been a dream for me to play in the Premier League and now I have a big opportunity to do that for West Ham—I cannot wait to start!" he told the club's official website. “This team has something special, a spirit in the team that I can fit into. I will work hard and hopefully I can get some good moments at this club."
The 25-year-old, who has penned a five-year deal with West Ham, reinvented himself in the Bundesliga after leaving the Gunners in 2010 and was reportedly a popular transfer target, with the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04 and Atletico Madrid all eyeing a move, per MailOnline's Rob Draper.
According to Bild (via Jamie Anderson in the Daily Star), Arsenal were interested in a reunion, but the Norwegian instead opted to join West Ham.
BT Sport's Archie Rhind-Tutt thinks this represents a savvy bit of business by the club:
Watched quite a bit of Havard Nordtveit at Gladbach this season - good signing for West Ham. Solid + versatile.https://t.co/mYmnprcalp
Nordtveit started his career as a centre-back and failed to make the grade in that role at the Emirates Stadium, but FC Nurnberg tried him out as a holding midfielder during a loan spell, and it quickly became clear he was better suited to playing in the centre of the park.
With Monchengladbach, he has played all over midfield and even as a right-back, but he has done his best work playing around Granit Xhaka and Mahmoud Dahoud. The three combined to form one of the Bundesliga's most dynamic midfield units, and the club was keen to keep it intact for as long as possible.
While defensively minded, Nordtveit can also pose a threat going forward, particularly from long range, per OptaJoe:
3 - No Bundesliga player scored more goals from outside the box than Havard Nordtveit this season (3). Reference.
Per Alex Chaffer of DW Sports, sporting director Max Eberl did everything he could to get Nordtveit to sign a new deal, but once a self-imposed February deadline passed, a switch seemed inevitable.
MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 30: Havard Nordtveit of Borussia Moenchengladbach controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Allianz Arena on April 30, 2016 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic revealed the Hammers were tracking the Norway international in March, per Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian. The Croatian admitted it would take some effort to convince him to leave the Bundesliga, where he played for a UEFA Champions League club and could have joined just about any team.
Nordtveit shouldn't need much time to adapt to the Premier League, and if his performances for Monchengladbach are any indication, he could slide into West Ham's midfield almost immediately and provide plenty of cover for the defence.
As a free-agent signing, he represents superb value. At the very least, he'll provide additional depth heading into the 2016-17 campaign.
Insider Buzz: West Ham Fear Reece Oxford Will Leave; Manchester City Interested
May 13, 2016
Reece Oxford is one of the brightest young stars in the Premier League.
In the video above, Bleacher Report Insider Dean Jones reveals that West Ham are concerned about the player's contract situation and are worried that he might get lured away by a bigger club.
Senegal to the East End: The Journey That Forged West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate
May 12, 2016
It’s fitting that rising West Ham have a player made of iron in midfield. What is more remarkable is how Cheikhou Kouyate got there. The towering man's journey from Dakar, Senegal, to London's East End was long and risky. West Ham are happy he made it.
The Senegal native picked up the Hammers’ Individual Performance of the Season award last year for his unforgettable display against Manchester United, and in his second season, he has been a consistently dominant presence. Kouyate faced a challenge when Slaven Bilic became West Ham's manager this year—replacing Sam Allardyce, who had brought the midfielder to the club—but he hasn't missed a beat.
"Bilic was determined to keep him on when he took charge," says Saffet Balkan—Kouyate's agent. "He told me he loves Kouyate's willingness to do anything for the team."
Kouyate's main contribution has been as a ball-winner at West Ham's hub. He’s made the most tackles—averaging 2.8 per game, according to WhoScored.com—and the most interceptions in midfield, with 2.3 per match.
Kouyate rose through the youth ranks of ASC Yego Dakar before trying to break into European football. In 2007, at the age of 17, he went for trials in France but failed to secure a contract because he didn’t have the paperwork to reside in the country.
Penniless and without an agent or club, Kouyate’s European adventure looked to have been a disaster. The teenager found himself at loose ends—halfway around the world from his home. But his efforts did not go unnoticed.
Kouyate with his agent Saffet Balkan
A scout introduced Belgium-based Turkish football agent Balkan to Kouyate, and the agent was immediately struck by how physically developed Kouyate was for his age.
“He had the physique of a player far older and great lungs,” Balkan said.
Taking on young players is always a risk. The annals of football history are full of players tipped to be the next Diego Maradona who do not quite meet expectations, but Balkan decided the young midfielder was worth taking a punt on.
But there was a problem. Kouyate lacked a work permit. So Balkan went a bit beyond the player-agent relationship. “I took him under my wing and adopted him until he was 18 so that he could stay in Belgium,” he said.
Balkan underlined that it was not just Kouyate’s talent that impressed him but also his attitude. The player’s soft voice belies a hunger to succeed and a steely determination. Moving from Senegal to Western Europe only to have his dreams of becoming the next Patrick Vieira—also born in Dakar—shattered must have been devastating, but he didn’t have the luxury of self-pity.
With no plan B, he had to find a way to break through or return home. While youth-academy products at top European clubs lived a playboy lifestyle during their teenage years, Kouyate was grafting for a living.
What he lacked in material wealth he made up for in mental strength. Being able to cope with such pressure at a young age probably helped him on the field, especially in a defensive midfield role that demands emotional stability. Despite not playing for a club at the time, the young midfielder made it clear he had his sights set on the Premier League.
“I always wanted to play in England,” he said. “It was a childhood dream.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Jul
It was second-tier Belgium outfit FC Brussels that gave him his first shot, but his time at the club was marred by a pay dispute that added more strains to his already-precarious financial position. Balkan worked with Kouyate to resolve his situation, but it was a world far away from the glitz and glamour often associated with football.
“For almost three years I covered his rent, provided food and other expenses," Balkan says. "Those days were tough, but it brought us all together. He was always humble, and he became like a brother to my son, who remains close friends to this day.”
Kouyate ploughed on, and it was not long before he got his big break: Anderlecht snapped him up on a free transfer in 2008. After gaining experience out on loan at KV Kortrijk, he returned to the Belgium giants as a first-team regular.
Four years later, Kouyate broke into the Senegal national team, and he finally set foot in England for the first time during the London Olympics in 2012. After an impressive display at the Games, he attracted interest from a number of Premier League sides but fell victim to his old nemesis—the work permit.
“There were a few enquiries from the Premier League after the Olympics, but they were put off due to his foreign-player status,” Balkan says. Not an EU citizen, Kouyate was unable to play in England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Cheikhou Kouyate of Senegal in action during the Men's Football first round Group A Match between Senegal and Uruguay on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on July 29, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by
Once Kouyate had made a name for himself at Anderlecht and for his national team, the Purple and White considered cashing in. Dynamo Kiev offered a big-money move in 2013, which the club accepted but Kouyate rejected. The rugged midfielder was struggling financially at the time, and few could have blamed him for taking a lucrative contract in Ukraine. But he remained determined.
“Kiev wanted him,” Balkan says. “They offered a lot of money. But we knew an offer from England would come and decided to be patient.”
Belgium had established itself as a football factory. Some of European football's brightest talents were—and still are—being pumped out of the Jupiler League. Kouyate had Premier League scouts keeping tabs on him, and Balkan advised him that his best chance of making it to England was remaining in Belgium.
Kouyate was part of the youthful Anderlecht team that started making waves on the European footballing scene. But he wasn’t always a midfielder. Following Sacha Kljestan's appointment in 2010, Kouyate was deployed as a defender. His pace and acceleration allowed him to not only make up for mistakes but also burst forward. Standing 1.89 metres (6’2 ½”) made Kouyate pretty useful for dealing with aerial balls as well.
His final positional transformation came under the stewardship of assistant manager Besnik Hasi, who came to the club the same year Kouyate did.
It was Hasi who moved Kouyate back from defence to midfield. Kouyate's physically imposing stature gave him a dominating presence in the centre of the park, and the Kosovan manager helped him develop his passing game while he continued to improve defensively.
Kouyate had arguably his finest league campaign in 2013-14 as Anderlecht won their fourth league title in five years. He had a 90.7 per cent pass-completion rate, won 1.8 aerial balls and averaged 2.2 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game in the Champions League that season, per WhoScored.com.
The real game-changer in his quest for Premier League football came when he was granted a Belgian passport in 2014. By then, he was highly sought after across Europe, and numerous offers came in. But it was Big Sam’s phone call that convinced Kouyate to part ways with Anderlecht.
Kouyate in action for Anderlecht in 2010
“I dreamed of playing in the Premier League,” Kouyate says. “I could not believe it when I got the call from Sam Allardyce.”
Kouyate’s Kiev gamble had paid off: West Ham put in a £7 million bid Anderlecht accepted. Kouyate slotted into Allardyce’s midfield and occasionally played at centre-back. The tenacious midfielder had a breakthrough year, highlighted by that award-winning performance against Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground in February.
When Bilic, the former Besiktas head coach, took over on the touchline, he brought in sweeping changes—new players, new tactics and new training methods.
Bilic advocated the same fluid-passing, high-pressing attacking game he had demanded previously in Turkey and before. Was there a place for a burly, physical player in the new-look Hammers midfield?
Kouyate needn’t have worried. Bilic has been fond of strong defensive midfielders for years. At Besiktas, he had Atiba Hutchinson and Veli Kavlak, who worked assiduously while being able to keep possession with a high pass accuracy. At West Ham, he has Kouyate.
Kouyate kept his place in midfield and performed well enough to earn himself a lucrative five-year contract extension after months of negotiations. There were rumours of another move being on the cards prior to his new deal, but Balkan dismissed the claims as baseless speculation.
“The club love him, and he loves the club,” he says. “There was interest from other clubs and a few enquiries, but we have not even thought about leaving. All that has been on his mind is focusing on getting to Champions League football.”
Kouyate has thrived under the Bilic's stewardship. His central midfield position requires fortitude, fearlessness and true grit. All traits he has demonstrated throughout his life both on and off the field. The mobile midfielder is able to use his pace to press as well as break from deep.
The 26-year-old is the team's sixth-highest goalscorer, but his passing has not exactly been up to the standard he was achieving at Anderlecht. Eighty per cent accuracy is not awful but not particularly impressive for a player in his position. He has, however, managed to cement a place in the team. Only Aaron Cresswell and Mark Noble have made more appearances than the Senegal international this season.
Bilic gives instructions to Kouyate.
There is no doubt Kouyate still has aspects of his game that need work, but he has demonstrated he can cut it at the Premier League's highest level. “He has really enjoyed playing under the management of Bilic and has learned so much,” Balkan says. “Bilic made it clear that he wants Kouyate to stay at the club.”
The Hammers may have previously been perceived as a stepping-stone club, and it may be slightly premature to claim things have changed over the course of just one campaign. But there is reason to be optimistic. The east London outfit are riding high in the Premier League and will be moving to the 54,000-seat Olympic Stadium next season.
The East End used to have a reputation as being a little rough around the edges, but nowadays, it’s home to some of the trendiest spots in the capital. In much the same way, West Ham was known for playing an archaic long-ball style. These days, the Hammers play attractive, attacking football full of flair.
Kouyate wants to be a part of the rise of the Irons from mid-table mediocrity to challengers of the traditional order. In fact, Balkan says, “He aims to be captain in the future.”
Kouyate is not the first midfielder born in Dakar to take the Premier League by storm. It was inevitable he would be compared to Vieira at some stage. There are similarities. Both are tall and tough tacklers, and the West Ham star did, of course, grow up watching Vieira do his thing for Arsenal.
“Vieira is a role model for us Senegalese,” Kouyate says. “He lived the dream, and I want to do the same and be worthy of his comparison.”
The stalwart midfielder has some way to go if he is to reach Vieira's dizzying heights, but he is no stranger to defying the odds. He has had to fight tooth and nail to get where he is today. Guvnor Bilic has brought in revolutionary changes at West Ham, but revolutions need warriors as much as they need leaders.
He has one in Kouyate.
“I am so proud of him and how far he has come.” Balkan says. “To actually see someone come from nothing to achieve what he has is something special.”
Emre Sarigul is a freelance writer who has written for the BBC and the Guardian and is the founder of Turkish-football.com. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Twitter Reacts as West Ham Beat Manchester Utd in Final Match at Upton Park
As you are undoubtedly aware, Tuesday was a historic night for West Ham. After 2,397 games at Upton Park, the stadium hosted its last-ever game, with Slaven Bilic's team set to continue their activities at the Olympic Stadium next season.
The visitors were Manchester United, who had not lost to West Ham in their past 14 meetings (as per OptaJoe).
The locals did not exactly roll out the red carpet for Louis van Gaal's side:
It finished 3-2 to West Ham, providing a fitting end for West Ham's 112-year residency at the Boleyn Ground—and seriously jeopardising United's UEFA Champions League chances:
What a finish for the Boleyn Ground! Now that's a proper send-off. One more memory for a memorable stadium.
— Uber Football Facts (@UberFootbalI) May 10, 2016
[Twitter]
Insider Buzz: West Ham to Make £25M-Plus Bids for 3 Top European Strikers
May 9, 2016
With West Ham United's last game at the Boleyn Ground imminent, thoughts turn toward their new home at the Olympic Stadium next season.
Manager Slaven Bilic is keen to build a world-class group of players to adorn the team's new surroundings.
In the video above, Bleacher Report Insider Dean Jones reveals the Hammers will make huge bids for three strikers in an attempt to get next season off to a fantastic start.
