West Ham United

James Jones, We Are West Ham, external

Declan Rice looks certain to leave West Ham at the end of the season.

But his imminent availability has sparked an odd pundit campaign to undervalue him rather than a race to acknowledge his extraordinary value to the Hammers and any potential new club.

Man-of-the-match Rice scored England’s opener in last week’s historic 2-1 win in Italy.

He is a guaranteed starter for Gareth Southgate in the most successful England team in a generation.

And he also spearheaded West Ham’s two best seasons of the modern era.

Granted, Rice’s Irons form has been disappointing this campaign, with the club entertaining his Frank Lampard ‘I want to be a box-to-box midfielder’ complex.

But he has been the best of a bad bunch while shouldering the additional burden of club captaincy.

And, in an era when world-class holding midfielders like Fernandinho, N’Golo Kante and, more recently, Rodri and Casemiro are vital to the best teams, Rice is worth his weight in gold.

With Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal set for a bidding war, it will be a dereliction of duty by West Ham’s board if he goes for less than £90 million.

And, don’t forget, Mykhailo Mudryk was bought for £88 million.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have announced they will travel to Australia for their pre-season tour ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

The Hammers will begin the tour with a match against local side Perth Glory at Optus Stadium, before taking on Premier League rivals Tottenham at the same venue on 18 July.

Speaking in Perth for the announcement of the tour, former West Ham United striker and current ambassador Carlton Cole said the club is "really excited" to be heading to Australia in the summer.

"As well as looking forward to playing two exciting pre-season fixtures in Perth, we also have a great opportunity to visit a wonderful country, one that I know loves its sport and is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about football," added Cole.

Last year the club played a number of fixtures across the UK in preparation for the 2022-33 campaign.

James Jones, We Are West Ham, external

International breaks are often seen as a hindrance but there's something about this one that has an element of comfort for West Ham.

This is a vital period in the club's history.

While Premier League survival must be the ultimate priority, there's also the not-so-small matter of a Europa Conference League quarter-final to look forward to.

West Ham face Gent in April, looking to make back-to-back European semi-finals for the first time since the 1960s. But there are also huge Premier League games against Southampton, Fulham, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.

These are games that might just define the club's Premier League status for the next 12 months.

So this break has come at the perfect time. It gives David Moyes two weeks to find a formula that works, one that will have his side replicating the kind of form that achieved consecutive top-seven finishes.

If he gets it right, it will be huge for the history of this football club.

If he doesn't, it could mean relegation and the sack.

West Ham are going into this break on a knife edge and no-one really knows which way it’s going to go.

Image source, Reuters

Former Charlton and Reading centre-back Steve Brown says "it's unusual" that David Moyes has not been sacked as West Ham boss with the Hammers languishing in the relegation zone.

Moyes has come under increasing pressure this season after guiding the side to successive top-seven finishes in the Premier League.

However, his impressive record in Europe, 10 wins from 10 and into the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, suggests he still has the support of the players.

Brown believes his situation is an unfortunate consequence of his own success.

"I hate when teams over-achieve one year and are judged on that the next season," he said. "Other clubs would have sacked Moyes this season.

"People assume that you will progress from seventh but it's so hard to break into the top six if you have not got a squillion quid.

"West Ham went hard on recruitment in the summer to try to challenge but it has backfired slightly."

Listen to more on West Ham's travails this season from 36'00 on BBC Sounds

West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham have looked at Red Bull Salzburg striker Noah Okafor, with the 22-year-old Switzerland international's contract ending in summer 2024. (Mail), external

Meanwhile, Declan Rice is expected to leave the Hammers this summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea leading the race for the midfielder. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's gossip column

Antonio Conte's post-match tirade?

Fulham's barely believable implosion at Old Trafford?

What next for Crystal Palace after Patrick Vieira's sacking?

Add in reflections on Arsenal's title push, West Ham's struggles and Brentford's European desires and there's a serious array of talking points from this weekend - all covered on BBC Radio London's The Far Post podcast.

Listen to the full episode now on BBC Sounds

Everton will move for West Ham's Jamaica striker Michail Antonio, 32, in the summer, if they avoid relegation. (Sun), external

Besiktas are preparing to trigger the purchase option in their loan deal for West Ham's Congo defender Arthur Masuaku, 29. (Fanatik, via Inside Futbol), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have been drawn to face Gent in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.

The first leg will take place in Belgium on Thursday, 13 April, with the return at London Stadium on Thursday, 20 April.

Should they progress, they will then take on either AZ Alkmaar or Anderlecht, with the first leg at home on Thursday, 11 May, and the second leg the following week on Thursday, 18 May.

The final will be at Eden Arena in Prague on Wednesday, 7 June 2023.

Bayer Leverkusen are interested in signing West Ham and Czech Republic right-back Vladimir Coufal, 30. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham will find out their Europa Conference League quarter-final opponents on Friday from 13:00 GMT.

The Hammers beat AEK Larnaca to reach the last eight and, once the quarter-final draw has been completed, the semi-final draw will also be determined.

David Moyes' side are the only British representative left in the competition.

They could be paired with any of the remaining clubs: Lech Poznan, Fiorentina, FC Basel, AZ Alkmaar, Gent, Nice or Anderlecht.

Image source, Getty Images

David Moyes after West Ham breezed past AEK Larnaca in the Europa Conference League: "We did a really professional job. It was always a risky game as if they got a goal back we'd maybe get a bit anxious.

"It's really pleasing. It doesn't happen all the time - two quarter-finals in two years in Europe.

"We've had some great trips, played in some brilliant stadiums. It's been great for the club, the staff and the players."

Did you know? This was West Ham's 10th-straight win in the Europa Conference League this season.

On goalscorer Gianluca Scamacca: "He did OK. The goal was a wee bit fortunate but he needs goals for confidence.

"He's a really good lad and did a lot of good things tonight. Hopefully it will bring him on."

Image source, Getty Images

Mia Claydon, Green Street Hammers, external

Similarly to the Paolo Di Canio goal against Wimbledon, everyone can visualise Alphonse Areola's save against Sevilla.

It is 0-0 in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla, who are up 1-0 on aggregate. In the 26th minute, the ball is pulled back to Youssef En-Nesryi, firing the ball towards the top corner of Areola's goal. In an acrobatic movement, he reacts unbelievably to deny the Moroccan.

We went on to beat the record-winning side, progressing to the semis. He kept that dream alive, and although recent, is the best save I can remember. Many fans have speculated that if we had conceded at that moment, 2-0 on aggregate, we would not have progressed to the semi-finals of the competition.

What's the best West Ham save you've seen? Have your say here

Which saves did our other Premier League fans choose? Read the full piece here

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss David Moyes says Vladimir Coufal and Michail Antonio will be unavailable for the second leg of their Europa Conference League tie against AEK Larnaca.

"Vladimir Coufal has still got a problem with his foot and Micky Antonio has just got a bit of a calf injury which he picked up in Cyprus last week," said Moyes.

"I couldn't tell you when I expect both of them to return as I'm not sure yet."

Predict the Hammers' starting XI

Image source, Reuters

Michail Antonio says he "will be back very soon" from a calf injury picked up in last week's Europa Conference League victory over AEK Larnaca.

The Jamaica striker's two goals gave West Ham a cushion for their second leg at London Stadium (Thursday, 20:00 GMT) but he missed the draw with Aston Villa last Sunday and is unlikely to be involved this evening.

"It's nothing too bad," he told The Footballer's Football Podcast. "Hopefully I can be involved very soon.

"I was gutted I didn't get to play last weekend as I scored two goals and I want to get momentum. It was quite frustrating.

"It was a game made for me because Villa play such a high line - a game I would have thrived in."

After facing AEK Larnaca on Thursday, West Ham's next game does not arrive until 2 April. By the time they face Southampton, they could be in the relegation zone.

"We just have to win important games," he said. "We will do the work in the break and go for three points. If we concentrate on ourselves and do what needs to be done, we won't get relegated."

Listen to more on BBC Sounds

West Ham are eyeing a move for Werder Bremen and Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug, 30. (Sport Bild via Sport Witness), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals says it is "massive" to remain in Europe as his side look to turn their disappointing season around.

Speaking ahead of the Hammers' Europa Conference League round of 16 second leg against AEK Larnaca Fornals said: "It’s massive to keep going in this European competition. We’re still unbeaten in Europe this season and we want to keep having this good momentum.

“We’re trying to keep the good vibes and the positivity for each game as it’s the best way to take on the challenge.

"We can’t think the job is done because it obviously is not. It’s two games, we did well in the first one and put us in a good space, but it is not finished.”

In West Ham's 2-0 victory in the first leg Fornals became the club's record European appearance maker.

When asked about the honour Fornals said: “It’s always nice and beautiful to have a good record and I’m really glad to keep adding games to it.”

Image source, Getty Images

David Moyes said West Ham's newest recruits are "much further on" in adapting to English football and said they will only get better.

The Hammers boss was specifically asked about Gianluca Scamacca after an underwhelming start to his West Ham career.

The striker has scored seven goals in 26 appearances since his £30.5m move from Sassuolo, but has only managed three lots of 90 minutes for the Hammers.

Moyes was asked if he thought Scamacca has struggled with the physical side of the game, and said: "We’ve found it with everyone who comes to the Premier League that has to get used to the level of intensity. It’s not anybody from Italy and it’s not just Gianluca.

"You hear me but you certainly hear managers say it takes players time to adjust to the level, the speed and intensity and the regular demands of the Premier League.

"For a lot of teams now we have had a really difficult schedule so for someone coming from overseas it’s not as bad as what we feel we get it in the Premier League."

When asked where West Ham's newer recruits are now in terms of adapting to the Premier League, Moyes added: "I think they are much further on now than they have been.

"They are getting much closer to understanding exactly what it is like. I think they will get better now and they will grow and improve as we go on and let’s hope we can show that in our form in the games coming up."

David Moyes has been speaking to the media before West Ham's Europa Conference League game against AEK Larnaca on Thursday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Vladimir Coufal still has a problem with his foot, while Michail Antonio has a calf injury which he picked up in the first leg.

• When asked if he will make changes tomorrow night, Moyes said: "We plan to change a little bit."

• He praised West Ham fans for their support and said: "They will all be really hoping we can get to the quarter-finals and even further this year as well."

• He said the 2-0 lead from the first leg could be a dangerous scoreline and "we don't want to give the opponent any opportunity to get back in the game".

• On what reaching the quarter-finals would mean, Moyes said: "It would be great. It’s a big job."

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