Zola to West Ham – Make or Break?

As both a player and as an individual I like Gianfranco Zola, he was a great little player to watch and on of those players that kep a low profile private life away from the game.

His appointment at West Ham is a surprise to me. If I were a hammers fan I would have wanted someone with a bit of experience behind them first. I’ve always been a fan of managers having to serve some sort of apprenticeship either as a number two or at a lower division club before taking on what can only be described as a top club.

I’ve always liked West Ham. Mainly in the Redknapp days I must admit but they are one of those teams I can sit and watch.
Curbishley in my opinion never stood a chance. I think he did a decent job, he had no luck at all with injuries during his time there and that held back his progress, but progress was most definately made under his reign.

Everyone seems to think that if they throw some money at a team they instantly should be thinking “Top 4″, it’s a ludicrous mentality but one that will not change whilst people from outside football are buying the clubs.

So back to Mr. Zola, I think he will given time endear himself to the West Ham faithful but at the same time will struggle to improve the clubs fortunes either on or off the pitch. West Ham are a premier league team, that I have no doubt about but they are several managers and many millions of pounds away from being a top 6 team, never mind the top 4!

Ljungberg Hammered for the final time?

West Ham have released Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg after an agreement was reached to terminate his contract.

Ljungberg, 31, may now decide to retire from football, according to a statement on the club’s official website.

He was just a single season into a lucrative four-year deal, having joined the Hammers from Arsenal in July 2007 for a fee approaching £3m.

“This is mutually acceptable,” said West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury.

Ljungberg only managed to start 22 of West Ham’s 38 Premier League matches last season after enduring injuries that included a cracked rib.

In its statement, the club was keen to stress that the player’s fitness was not in question.

Fulham sign West Ham Duo

Fulham have signed striker Bobby Zamora and full-back John Pantsil from West Ham for a joint fee of £6.3m.

Roy Hodgson, a manager I have huge respect for, has taken the multi-million pound gamble on the two players who where unable to command first team places at Upton park.

Hodgson is said to be “very pleased” about the deal and I think it is a gamble that could well pay off as both players are quite versatile. Zamora can hopefully kick start his career, which has somewhat stalled over the past few years at West Ham, managing just one goal last season in 14 appearances.

John Pantsil is the Ghana international who caused much controversy when he waved an Israeli flag in a game against the Czech Republic in 2006. He also caused a raised eyebrow when he complained that West Ham spelt his name wrong on his shirt, even though that is the name on all of his official documentation and passport. West Ham kept the incorrect name on his shirt to avoid  the player being investigated for any illegal documents. It will be interesting to see if Fulham keep the Pantsil name or change it to what he says is his real name Paintsil.

Lampard – staying at Chelsea?

With Inter Milan making an official approach for Frank Lampard, Scholari has today come forward and said Lampard wants to stay at Chelsea.

Does he? Well some people have hinted he doesn’t have the guts to move to Italy. That, to me, is a ridiculous statement. He does have the guts, of course he does, he moved from West Ham to Chelsea for goodness sake!

I think though Chelsea have been slow getting Frank to the table regarding a new deal, and for that I’ll blame Peter Kenyon. Kenyon likes to try and prove that there is no player bigger than the club wherever he works but feels he himself is bigger than everything! 
Franks performances for Chelsea have earned him the right to look around for the best deal. And that has to be the best deal for Frank Lampard on and off the pitch.

Frank has the ability to command a place in any club, I am certain of that. However I think the speed, passion and physical game that lives in  the premier league will eventually make his mind up for him.

In my opinion he will stay but let’s not forget the special one has been capale of luring his ex players several times before.