Javier Hernandez’s arrival at West Ham United last summer was met with overwhelming approval from the club’s fans.
The Mexico international joined the East London outfit with a decent pedigree due to his previous spells at Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen.
When David Moyes replaced Slaven Bilic as manager in November, things started to change.
Hernandez struggled for game time, and in his first nine outings under the Scotsman, the forward did not play a full 90 minutes.
It is only in his last three appearances in all competitions when the ex-United man has competed for the whole game, but that could be down to the fact that Marko Arnautovic has been injured.
There were rumblings throughout the widespread media that Hernandez could leave in January, but a transfer never came to pass.
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Now, during an interview with Radio Marca Claro, the 29-year-old has opened up about his relationship with the manager.
“We get along, there has never been anything, no personal problem, we have never had frictions, or those negative moments, we have not had anything. I’ve never had a problem with him or anyone, no personal problem, thank God. There will be people with whom I get along better than others, but that does not mean they are my enemies, the truth is that the situation [with Moyes] is fine, there is nothing wrong that I can say.”
Former Everton forward Graeme Sharp believes that his old side will be unable to keep Romelu Lukaku at the club if they miss out on Champions League qualification.
The powerful Belgian striker has enjoyed an excellent season on loan at Goodison Park from Chelsea, banging in 13 goals to keep the Merseysiders in contention for a top four finish.
But following their shock midweek loss against Crystal Palace, Everton are now a point off of Arsenal in the pursuit of the last spot in Europe’s top competition, and face a more difficult run-in than their London rivals.
Lukaku has hinted in the past that he is ready to play Champions League football, and Sharp believes that Roberto Martinez will need to guarantee him just that to make his stay a permanent one when the transfer window opens:
“The Lukaku situation will take care of itself. He’s said he wants to play in the Champions League. Now if Everton don’t get in that fourth spot, that answers its own question there.” He is quoted by talkSPORT.
“Where does he get Champions League football from though? I don’t think Chelsea will take him back to be honest.”
Sharp also doesn’t know if Everton can afford to fund a move for Lukaku, who is valued at over £20m:
“I honestly don’t believe Jose Mourinho fancies Lukaku, I think if he can sell him and bring somebody else in, he will do.
“But he wants the best price for Lukaku and in the last couple years he’s got a great goalscoring record with West Brom and Everton as well, so the price goes up.
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“I don’t know what the transfer budget at Everton is and what Roberto Martinez has got to spend in the summer but if he loses [Gareth] Barry and [Gerard] Deulofeu, I don’t know whether he can afford to spend it all on a centre-forward.”
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Manchester United winger Nani is reportedly the subject of much interest at the moment with as many as six clubs thought to be chasing his signature after it became clear that the club would be willing to listen to offers for him for the first time after a series of disappointing displays this term, but should they really be looking to move him on?
The 25-year-old has been at Old Trafford for six years now and has always provided a steady and consistent stream of end product. Having scored 38 goals in 201 games so far for the club and he finished last season with 11 assists in the league, with only Antonio Valencia providing more as they were pipped to the league title by local rivals Manchester City by the narrowest of margins on the final day of last season. This is a player who had the joint-highest combined goals and assists record in the Premier League two seasons ago, with nine and a remarkable 18 respectively, as well as scoring eight and assisting 10 in 2011-12.
Nevertheless, there’s been a growing frustration at his performances over the past year or so and as he approaches his 26th birthday, it becomes harder and harder to explain away his poor decision-making. Cristiano Ronaldo suffered from a similar weakness in his initial years at Old Trafford and simply due to the nature that the two are from the same country, his apologists have often pleaded patience with Nani arguing that he will come good just in the same way that the Real Madrid man did, but it looks unlikely at the moment.
When you compare Nani to Valencia, his rival for a right wing berth, then it’s clear why Sir Alex Ferguson has largely favoured the Ecuadorian given that his delivery from wide areas is dependable and even if he may be something of a one trick pony, it’s a trick that works most of the time. Whereas with Nani, you simply don’t know what you’re going to get, which in itself can have an impact on the rest of the side with other players less willing to make a run off the ball for the fear that he’ll simply have a crack from distance or pelt one into the nearest man from out wide.
There’s also the fact that Ferguson has brought in two simply superb attacking options this summer in Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie. The Dutch striker is likely to be the focal point of the club’s attack while Wayne Rooney drops off behind him, with both Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez displaying good form at home and abroad of late.
This saw Ferguson go with three up front in their last home game against Stoke and start with a midfield diamond against Braga, with neither system lending itself to what United have become traditionally known for, which is playing two recognised wingers every game, which also decreases Nani’s chances of regular football.
His ego has also been a problem and had an impact on performances, and for every wonder goal he strikes from range, he balloons ten into the stands and why he insists on taking free-kicks from ‘Ronaldo range’ is beyond me. He’s a strange player to characterise fully, though, given that during some games he can be unplayable, with the 4-4 draw against Everton last term an example, and others absolutely appalling, which points to a player with a confidence level that’s more fragile than we are often led to believe.
The financial aspect is also worth considering and the club have spent a sizeable amount this summer and with over £50m spent on potentially crippling interest repayments in the year ending June 2011, with the promise of more to come, if the club could seal a deal for a fee in the region of £25m, particularly with his contract entering its final 18 months, would be far too tempting to turn down.
Much in the same way that Anderson frustrates but always offers a ray of hope every now and again with a superb showing, Nani does the same and they are probably the two most divisive players at the club right now. He is inconsistent yet creative, egotistical yet fragile and he flits between terrible and unplayable with the sort of consummate ease not normally associated with a Manchester United player.
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There’s no denying his talent, but with the numerous attacking options available at the moment, he’s far from a guaranteed starter, yet at the same time, while the money on offer may be extremely appealing, would the squad be in better shape if they did let him go? When discussing the rumoured departure of any player, that above all else is the question that needs to be asked and in his case, I’m not so sure it would be. He may have his flaws, plenty of them even, but he’s a player capable of unlocking doors and every side needs someone of that caliber from time to time.
According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur have been told that they will have to come up with £60m in order to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacker Leon Bailey this summer.
Bailey, 20, joined Leverkusen from Genk in January 2017, and the attacker has gone from strength to strength during his time in the Bundesliga.
Indeed, the Jamaican ended the 2017-18 campaign with 12 goals and six assists in 34 appearances in all competitions.
Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Bailey, whilst the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid are also believed to be admirers.
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Tottenham were said to be keen to secure a deal this summer, but it appears that they will have to bid £60m in order to convince Leverkusen to part with the wonderfully-gifted forward.
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The Tottenham fans have been reacting to the transfer speculation, and it would be fair to say that a number are desperate for their club to complete the deal this summer.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Manchester United starlet Tahith Chong scored once and generally impressed on his debut for the U23 side as they were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Wednesday night in front of a watching Jose Mourinho, and Red Devils fans have been quick to have their say on his display.
The central midfielder, who only celebrated his 18th birthday last month, scored his team’s goal as his energy and pressing forced the Spurs defence into a mistake, while his skill and all-round play will have certainly caught the attention of Mourinho in the stands.
With Michael Carrick retiring at the end of the season and Marouane Fellaini potentially leaving in the summer if he doesn’t agree a new deal, the Portuguese boss will be looking for more options in the middle of the park, and Chong could be one of those to get a call-up to the first team.
Man United supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the teenager’s performance, and while one descirbed him as “Fellaini but with feet”, another said “Chong is so similar to Sane”.
David Moyes is ready to bring back forgotten man Rio Ferdinand, with Manchester United facing a defensive crisis following injuries to Jonny Evans and Phil Jones last week, reports the Daily Star.
England defender Jones suffered concussion during the defeat at Stoke, and is set to be sidelined for two weeks.
Meanwhile Evans has damaged his calf and is also expected to be out for a fortnight.
The injuries means Moyes finds his defensive options stretched ahead of this weekend’s clash with bottom club Fulham.
Nemanja Vidic is set to return to the first team following suspension, but Ferdinand will have to be called in from the cold.
The former England captain has been frozen out by Moyes in recent weeks, despite having returned to full training last month following a knee injury.
Ferdinand is out of contract at the end of the season, and is yet to be offered a new deal.
He is widely expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer, especially considering he has played just once since December.
“Rio is back and we will continue to use him at the right times and the right moments,” Moyes said.
“Rio has made a great contribution especially in the first half of the season. I played him in nearly all the opening eight to ten games.”
Reports had suggested the pair had fallen out after Ferdinand criticized Moyes’s decision to name his team as late as possible before games.
But Moyes has rubbished those reports, claiming Ferdinand remains a valuable member of his squad.
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“He was a big part in helping me to settle in. He helped me get my feet under the table a little bit,” he added.
“He has competition for centre half, but he is very much valued and looked at as one of the senior players here.”
Nani’s future at Old Trafford is in doubt following increasing speculation over a potential transfer to Italian Champions Juventus.
The Portuguese winger has moved down in the pecking order at Manchester United following the arrival of new signing Shinji Kagawa and youngsters Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley breaking into the first team.
Nani has made just five starts this season, suggesting he is no longer integral to Sir Alex Ferguson’s first team plans. Juventus are rumoured to be leading the race to sign the winger, and will attempt to lure the United ace away from the Premier League in January.
When quizzed by reporters on his future at United, the Portugal international replied: “Only God knows what awaits me,” suggesting he is unsure whether he will stay with the Red Devils.
Nani went on to dismiss claims he hasn’t been playing due to fitness concerns.
“I am in perfect condition – I am physically good and feeling confident. I am the same Nani as always.”
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has invited 16-year-old Brazilian striker Bruno Gomes to train with United for further trials. The teenager, who has trained at Carrington before, is on the radar of many top European clubs; however it seems he has his heart set on signing for United.
“My goal is to become top scorer in the league, being the first Brazilian to do so, while also to be English champion and to win the Champions League,” said the ambitious youngster.
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“[Ferguson] is a legend in Manchester, where everybody respects him and to be close to him was great. In fact, he only asked about my position and if I spoke English. Then he talked with the club representative who took me to Manchester,” he added.
West Ham fans all agree they don’t want Jay Rodriguez, after the West Brom striker was linked with a move to East London.
With Manuel Pellegrini likely to play two up front at the London Stadium next season, the Hammers will probably be linked with every striker under the sun this summer, but fans don’t like the latest links.
According to Sky Sports, West Ham are one of four Premier League sides interested in Rodriguez, alongside Burnley, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
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The Englishman scored seven times in 37 Premier League appearances last season, and is likely to be one of a number of players to leave the Hawthorns this summer.
The 28 year-old, who earned an England cap after his brilliant form for Southampton back in 2013, probably would have gone to the 2014 World Cup if not for a knee injury.
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West Ham fans want to see more ambition from their club though, and they all agree Rodriguez is not what they’re looking for.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Bristol City centre-back Aden Flint put in an impressive display as his side was narrowly beaten 2-1 by runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie at the Etihad Stadium, and West Ham United fans have urged their club to sign the defender.
The Championship high-flyers were just minutes away from securing an impressive draw before Sergio Aguero struck late on, and Flint was a rock for the Robins at the back and made a remarkable goal-line clearance from a Raheem Sterling effort.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed another strong campaign for his team after a summer move to Birmingham City fell though, and as well as his defensive nous he has also scored six goals in 22 league games so far this term.
West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on the tall centre-half’s performance against Pep Guardiola’s men, and while one simply said “sign Aden Flint”, another described him as a “class act”.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first start since the opening day of the season saw him bag a second-half brace to send Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League.
Tony Pulis set his Palace side out to frustrate Arsenal and saw his plan pay off in the first-half as the visitors defended well to go in at half-time still level.
But Arsenal notched up a gear in the second-half and Oxlade-Chamberlain marked his return to first-team action two goals and brilliant performance.
Here’s how the game was covered on Twitter…
HALF-TIME: A fairly eventless opening 45 minutes, with Palace doing well to frustrate the hosts…
47 minutes: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain latches on to a Santi Cazorla through ball to give Arsenal the perfect start to the second-half…
51 minutes: Wojciech Szczesny pulls off a superb point blank save to deny Cameron Jerome’s back post header…
73 minutes: Oxlade-Chamberlain gets his second of the game after a brilliant solo run ended with him cooly smashing low past Speroni…