Hello Hammers. Here is today’s lunchtime round up.
Michail Antonio was named as West Ham’s Player of the Season last night at the club’s awards night. (Sky Sports)
I personally thought Winston Reid should have won the award, but congratulations to Michail. He has had a brilliant season and hopefully he will continue to improve with us next season.
West Ham are targeting deals for Michy Batshuayi and Shane Long this summer. (Evening Standard)
I would be very happy if these deals were to happen. Michy Batshuayi is top of my personal wishlist, because I think he could well be the missing link in our team. I do hope we go in with a huge offer to Chelsea in the summer. Shane Long is another good striker, in my opinion. He isn’t the best, but he gets his fair share of goals during a season. I also feel that with his pace, he could be a great option to bring off the bench to stretch opposition defenders.
West Ham will back Slaven Bilic in the summer and are targeting Yaya Toure as a statement signing. (Telegraph)
This is exactly how it should be. You back your manager in the transfer window. I hope the board back him properly and give him the funds to improve the team over the summer. However, I am not so sure on Yaya Toure. He is without doubt a great player, but he is ageing now and he is also on ridiculous wages. I don’t think that deal will happen to be honest.
David Gold has revealed that Michail Antonio is close to signing a new contract at West Ham. (Football Insider)
Michail fully deserves a new contract. I know he only got an improved deal last summer, but the season he has had fully warrants getting another one. He also won the Player of the Year award last night, and that only backs up him deserving a new deal.
Tony Cottee says he would love to see Jermain Defoe back at West Ham. (HITC)
Back in January, I would have agreed with this. However, not so much now. He has had a brilliant career and will go down as one of the Premier League’s greatest strikers, without a doubt. He is now 35 years old and is apparently still demanding £80,000 a week over a three year deal. I do not think he is worth that, and I also think we could get someone better and younger for less than that.
Enner Valencia is being lined up to return to former club Pachuca in the summer. (HITC)
I actually like Enner. I think he tries very hard, but it just isn’t enough. He is not good enough for the Premier League and I believe we should sell him this summer. He is still relatively young and will be more suited to a league abroad I feel, so we may be able to get a decent fee for him.