Celtic: Hoops in talks to join Lowland League

STV presenter Raman Bhardwaj has revealed Celtic are in discussions with Lowland League for their Colts side to play in their league next season.

The Lowdown: Celtic youngsters leaving in numbers

A number of Celtic youngsters have departed the club recently, including goalkeeper Liam Hughes, who left for Liverpool back in January and Cameron Harper, who joined New York Red Bulls in March.

Another Hoops shot-stopper in Vincent Angelini wants to quit Parkhead, and there have also been reports that winger Karamoko Dembele could seal an exit over the coming months.

However, news dropped by Bhardwaj may help the club keep hold of some of their prized assets in the long run.

The Latest: Raman Bhardwaj’s post

Bhardwaj shared the news late on Wednesday night of Celtic and rivals Rangers discussing with the Lowland Leagues to play in their league from next season on Twitter.

He added that if approved, it appears as if it would be for one season only for Celtic’s Colts outfit.

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The Verdict: Could be a huge boost to McKay

To us, should discussions go well and a move be agreed upon, it could be a huge boost in regards to new Celtic CEO Dominic McKay keeping hold of some of the club’s up and coming prospects in the long run.

It would allow Celtic’s academy players to be introduced to senior competition, should loan moves away to other first-team clubs not be available.

By giving the club’s youngsters to test themselves at senior level, not only may it help in their development, but it could also benefit the club when they look to keep hold of some in-demand starlets, something former chief Peter Lawwell often failed to do.

It could also help the Lowland League clubs in regards to finances. The appeal of playing Celtic and Rangers’ youth sides in competition could draw more supporters through the turnstiles, so it seems as if a deal may have a lot of perks for the Hoops.

In other news: 47 y/o drops Eddie Howe announcement claim, find out more here. 

Surrey battle back after untimely duck for Ramprakash

Mark Ramprakash suffered an untimely failure as Surrey launched their reply to Northamptonshire’s daunting 476 all out in the Division One contest at Wantage Road

Robin Reid10-May-2001Mark Ramprakash suffered an untimely failure as Surrey launched their reply to Northamptonshire’s daunting 476 all out in the Division One contest at Wantage Road.The 31-year-old, hoping to catch the selectors’ attention ahead of next week’s First Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, was dismissed for a first-ball duck when he offered no stroke to seamer Tony Penberthy and saw his off stump flattened.Ian Ward (58 not out) and England certainty Graham Thorpe (34 not out) steered the visitors to 126-2 from 43 overs at the close, still needing a further 201 to avoid the follow-on.Northants resumed on 320-4 and ground on to record their highest total against Surrey on home soil. It surpassed the 430 all out they made in the celebrated 1920 match between the sides that more famously featured Percy Fender’s sensational 35-minute century.Alec Swann top-scored with 96 from 199 balls, missing out on a century when he edged a drive at Mark Butcher to Alec Stewart behind the stumps just before lunch. Best support came from Penberthy (75), who helped Swann add 161 in 51 overs for the fifth wicket, with handy contributions lower down the order from Toby Bailey (41) and John Blain (34).The departure of Mark Butcher and Ramprakash to successive balls left Surrey on the back foot, but Ward and Thorpe saw out the day with some ease, adding an unbroken 75 in the last 25 overs of the session.

Pakistan and England cross swords at Lord's

The anxiously awaited series between Pakistan and England starts with the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday May 17

Col (Retd) Rafi Nasim16-May-2001The anxiously awaited series between Pakistan and England starts with the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday May 17. While England are expected to be in top form as they are preparing for a much bigger challenge of regaining the `Ashes’ held by Australia since 1989, Pakistan should not be underrated either. England may well be the front-runners, for they enjoy the inherent advantage of home grounds, weather and crowd but Pakistan are also on record, having subverted these elements on many previous occasions.It is a high profile season for England and top of the agenda, is the plan of defeating Pakistan in the Test series. A victory in this series will provide them a huge boost to face the mighty Australians while defeat is bound to sap their morale and foist their foray to grab the Ashes. Some observers say the contest against Waqar’s boys a tasty appetizer for England, while the main course comes later, in the shape of Steve Waugh’s Australians. With such lopsided assessments of Pakistan’s prowess it would be fitting for Waqar’s charges to spoil the first course and diminish England’s appetite for victory.There is no doubt that England have had a marvelous resurgence under skipper Nasser Hussain and coach Duncan Fletcher, winning four series in a row including the one against Pakistan, which they wrapped up in thrilling style.In that series at the end of last year, the first two tests were drawn. When they clashed in the last encounter at Karachi, it was a magnificent run-chase by the visitors that ended in near darkness, giving England their first series win in Pakistan since 1961-62.Similarly Pakistan enjoy the honor of convincingly winning the last 3 series in England. The impetus was provided by Pakistan’s first ever victory over England at the Oval in 1954, in which Fazal Mahmood emerged as the hero with a magical haul of 12 wickets for 99 runs. This was followed by 6 more test victories achieved on English soil between 1982-1996.Both squads contain highly talented cricketers. While England has never been known to lack in harmony, Pakistan has faced some problems in the past. However, Waqar Younis, the new captain, has succeeded in turning the group of otherwise immensely talented individuals into an effective unit. This was proven in the team’s four consecutive victories in the ARY Gold Cup at Sharjah, notwithstanding a disaster in the final.No doubt, the Pakistan squad has about half-a-dozen youngsters who have set their foot on English soil for the first time and one hopes, the two-week period they spent practicing the game before the 1st test must have prepared them for the big day. Though, believe me, going out at Lord’s to bat or bowl for the first time does make for some wobbly knees!It was nice on England’s part to provide the visitors with some side matches for acclimatization purposes and the rain did disappear to allow for a few days of cricket.The 1st match that Pakistan won by an innings and 87 runs against the British Universities was more like mauling the minnows. It also provided good batting practice to Saeed Anwar (89), Saleem Elahi (78) and Waqar (50*). While Mushtaq Ahmed emerged the hero with a fabulous haul of 10 wickets for 51 runs in 2 innings, Wasim Akram (4 for 18) and Waqar Younis (3 for 30) also had a good workout and got a feel of English conditions.The 2nd match against Derbyshire was drawn with Azhar Mahmood scoring 80*, Faisal Iqbal 65 and Imran Farhat 46. Saqlain Mushtaq grabbed 6 wickets for 34 runs. The wonder speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who used the cherry in a match after a long lay off, managed to take only 2 wickets for 62 runs in 23 overs in the two innings.The 3rd match against Kent, in which the opening pair of Saeed Anwar (201) and Saleem Elahi (94*) excelled, was abandoned after two days due to rain.On form, fitness and comparative strengths of the two teams, England have an edge over Pakistan, for the now infamous `unpredictability factor’ hovering over the visitors’. England have a strong batting line up led by Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton, Marcus Trescothick, Graham Thorpe and the new-comer Ian Ward. Big things are expected from this England A’s opening batsman who is expected to bat lower down, if given a chance in the first Test. Planning to take the field with seven batsmen, England are likely to miss the services of all-rounder Craig White who is reported to be down with a back injury.All said and done, in spite of a solid batting line playing on its own pitches, England shall still have to face the devastating duo of speedsters Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. They happen to be the main wreckers during Pakistan’s previous victories in England in 1992 and 1996. In the wings lurks, Mohammad Sami, ready to have a go, plus two talented medium pacers Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood. England batsmen may be happy not to confront the thunderbolts of Shoaib Akhtar who has slim hopes of playing at Lords for lack of match fitness.The spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq are in top form these days and are quite capable of routing any side on their day. Mushy almost baffled the England batsmen with his guile by claiming 6 for 78 at the Oval and 5 for 57 at Lords during the 1996 tour. Both spinners must have some tricks up their sleeves to exploit the local conditions, having played a lot of county cricket in England.Pakistan’s batting will revolve around the openers Saeed Anwar and Saleem Elahi or Imran Farhat followed by Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdur Razzaq and Younis Khan. While Saeed and Inzi are no less than giants, the others shall need a good opening stand and tons of inspiration to succeed in England.England’s battery of speedsters comprising Darren Gough, Andy Caddick and a young left-arm pacer Ryan Sidebottom, supported by spinner Michael Vaughan, will be more than a handful on their own pitches. Compared to the visitors, their control on movement of the ball in heavy and humid atmosphere shall certainly be better. Considering this important factor, they are expected to play with four seamers and a spinner.England’s squad shows that except for introducing two young players in the list of 13, they have maintained nucleus of the team that brought them success during last year. Craig White’s absence would be a blow for them because of his importance in balancing out the side, providing genuine pace and determined batting, down the order. Dominic Cork, who has played only one first-class match after withdrawing from the winter tour of Pakistan, may not yet be at his best.With both the sides well balanced and determined, the Lord’s test shall present cricket lovers an excellent feast of cricket. While Pakistan go to avenge their defeat at Karachi, England would try to emerge victorious to remain resurgent and get ready for Australia. Fielding that has often let Pakistan down will play an important part in the test series.Let’s cross our fingers, wait and watch the better team win.

WHU fans unhappy at Abraham transfer update

Many West Ham United fans are unhappy after it was revealed that the Hammers want to sign Tammy Abraham on loan rather than buy him in the summer.

This season has been a fantastic one for the Irons, but they have overachieved given their distinct lack of strikers. Sebastien Haller was sold to Ajax in January, meaning that David Moyes has only had Michail Antonio as a natural centre-forward ever since.

As such, one of the Hammers’ main targets for the summer should be a striker. They are believed to be interested in a move for Chelsea striker Abraham, who has made just 22 appearances in the Premier League so far this term (Transfermarkt), but they would like to loan him in rather than buying him outright (The Athletic).

The Blues reportedly want £40m to let the England international leave Stamford Bridge permanently, a figure which Moyes has already admitted the Irons cannot pay.

The news attracted plenty of attention from West Ham supporters, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

One took aim at club co-owner David Sullivan for the perceived frugality, who along with the other GSB partners has often been a lightning rod for criticism from the Irons’ fan base. Loan deals for the likes of Said Benrahma and Jesse Lingard have become common at the club in recent months.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Abraham news below

“Sick of these loans tbh, Moyes will get him playing like Harry Kane we have to hear Chelsea fans saying “30 million + Rice” for an entire year and then we probably won’t sign him in the end and then he will go back to Chelsea and all we have done is develop our rivals player”

Credit: @Jackcoyi

“Not a chance we will get him on loan when there will be clubs lining up for him with cash to pay . Board shafting the manager already”

Credit: @Clem_B_Fandango

“Of course we do, that’s Sullivan all over”

Credit: @RockyWhu

“But a team like Villa will be prepared to pay the money for him. Sullivan all over. “

Credit: @westhamtransfer

“For a couple of weeks I forgot Gold and Sullivan ran our club…”

Credit: @RyanBarnard15

“This screams David Sullivan”

Credit: @callumder123

In other news, many West Ham fans slammed this man’s performance against Everton.

Claim dropped on potential NUFC takeover

Kieran Maguire has dropped a big claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United after a development involving the Premier League emerged.

The Lowdown: Ashley files against Premier League

Mike Ashley has filed a lawsuit against the top flight as he believes they have breached competition laws. The chief executive of Sports Direct alleges that, in the blocking of the proposed deal between him and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group, the division broke free-market regulations.

He is seeking damages for loss of profit and ultimately wants the Premier League to reverse its decision with regards to the failed takeover bid.

The Latest: Maguire reacts

Maguire, who is an expert in football finance, has since given his reaction to Football Insider on the actions taken by Ashley on the Premier League:

He said: This is a proxy war for the takeover, without a doubt.

“Remember, the biggest beneficiary from this will probably be Mike Ashley. He is the person trying to sell the club.

“He does feel, rightly or wrongly, that there are other clubs who fear that a wealthily-backed Newcastle could turn the big six into the big seven.

“That’s why he thinks they are opposed to the takeover.”

The Verdict: ‘Big Six’ fearful

As Maguire suggests, there could be some clubs in the Premier League who are opposed to the takeover as they fear that the ‘Big Six’ could become the ‘Big Seven’.

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These clubs could include the ‘Big Six’ themselves, as they have been so used to having success in the top flight and do not want that to be taken away from them by a new challenger.

Nonetheless, the pending arbitration case could go a long way into determining whether the takeover will come to fruition, but there does seem to be some strong opposition towards it.

In other news, some NUFC fans slammed this man’s performance against Man City.

Indian team can only get better from now on: Borde

Selection committee chairman Chandu Borde has praised the Indiancricket team’s eight wicket win over Zimbabwe in the Bulawayo Test onSunday, saying it was an “exciting performance” and the team canonly get better from now on

12-Jun-2001Selection committee chairman Chandu Borde has praised the Indiancricket team’s eight wicket win over Zimbabwe in the Bulawayo Test onSunday, saying it was an “exciting performance” and the team canonly get better from now on.Speaking to PTI over the phone from Pune on Tuesday, Borde said theteam was combining well and “this is a very good sign for the futureof Indian cricket.”The way our boys performed in the first Test suggests that the teamcan only get better from now on and I personally feel that this tourwill be a stepping stone for the team to win many more Tests abroad inthe near future,” Borde added.”I think the batting has settled down nicely but I am worried aboutthe two left arm seamers Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan. They shouldlearn not to run on the danger zone during their follow-through andlearn it real fast,” Borde said.”Nehra was stopped from bowling in the second innings while Zaheerwas warned by the umpires and the boys have to learn quickly as bothcan turn out to be match winners on their day,” the former Indiancaptain said.Queried about the selection committee meeting scheduled for Wednesdayin Mumbai to pick the players for the triangular series in Zimbabwesoon after the second Test, Borde said with Sachin (Tendulkar) andSourav (Ganguly) opening the innings, quite a few all-rounders couldbe accommodated. “Let us wait and see as we want to give a fairchance to everybody to prove their worth,” he added.

Mohamed Salah was poor against Burnley

Liverpool recorded a potentially pivotal victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening, elevating themselves into a Champions League qualification spot for the first time since February.

The hosts made a fast start in midweek, with Sean Dyche’s men harassing the Reds through some intelligent pressing and strong, physical challenges.

Chris Wood could have put the Clarets ahead when he was bearing down on Alisson Becker’s net but shot wide of the mark to let Liverpool off the hook.

The 2019/20 Premier League champions took full advantage of Burnley’s poor finishing, slowly asserting themselves upon proceedings and taking control of the game after Bobby Firmino calmy slotted Andy Robertson’s cut-back into the corner of Will Norris’ net.

Further efforts from Nat Phillips and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made the three points secure for Liverpool, but there was one man who let Klopp down on one of the biggest occasions this season.

As per SofaScore, Mohamed Salah received a rating of just 6.3/10, the lowest out of all the Liverpool players, and a staggeringly low rating given the outcome of the game.

The Eygpt international won just two of his eight duels against his physically imposing opponents and, almost unbelievably, had only 46 touches throughout the 90 minutes, eight fewer than the 54 goalkeeper Alisson Becker had.

It was a night where Klopp would have wanted his big star to step up, but he failed to deliver. Thankfully, a few of the Reds’ lesser-heralded players were able to rise to the occasion.

It’s hard to be too critical on the 28-year-old forward, though. The Anfield outfit have seriously struggled for large periods of the current campaign, with attacking duo Sadio Mane and Firmino both suffering from a serious drop-off in form.

However, Salah has managed to maintain his incredible goalscoring record in spite of the difficulties surrounding his campaign, bagging an astonishing 31 goals and providing five assists in 50 appearances for the Reds.

Liverpool fans will be hoping his below-par performance in midweek was a one-off then as their top-four hopes go down to the final day with a clash against Crystal Palace set to determine their European fate.

And, in other news…Asking price set: Edwards must act to sign Reds target with a pass accuracy of 87.1% – opinion

Zimbabwe v India: A review of the Test series

It was surprising that, with one hand apparently firmly on their first overseas Test series victory since 1986, India should relax their grip and allow Zimbabwe to scrape home to level the series in the Second Test match

John Ward19-Jun-2001It was surprising that, with one hand apparently firmly on their first overseas Test series victory since 1986, India should relax their grip and allow Zimbabwe to scrape home to level the series in the Second Test match.Well though Zimbabwe played at Harare Sports Club, the result was perhaps due more to India’s failures with the bat than any other factor. Both Test matches had in common the fact that the team winning the toss wasted that advantage by batting badly and eventually lost the match. In Bulawayo it was Zimbabwe; in Harare it was India.India’s 237 on the first day of the Harare Test was a poor effort that reflected on the lack of application of their batsmen, most of whom fell to soft dismissals. They fought back with three quick Zimbabwean wickets before the close.The first turning point of the game came when Grant Flower dug in and shared fighting partnerships with the all-rounders in the team, earning Zimbabwe what was really no more than a useful lead of 78 on first innings. The pitch was sound for batting, even if the ball did not come on to the bat as well as the players would have liked, and with India’s batting power it was quite possible that in the second innings they would be able to set a target that was beyond Zimbabwe’s reach.The Zimbabwean team is still not as confident with the bat as it should be. The Flower brothers and Heath Streak have shown they can handle pressure, but the rest, for the most part, have too many failures under pressure behind them or were untested in that kind of situation. 63 all out when chasing 99 against West Indies last year, under admittedly more difficult circumstances, is an example of what can still happen all too easily under pressure. I said at the time that if Zimbabwe failed to bowl out India for less than 200 in the second innings, they could be in trouble.One over from the end of the fourth day, Zimbabwe were indeed heading for trouble. India were 197 for three in their second innings. The second new ball was available for just one over before the close, and Zimbabwe took it. This was the second turning point of the match. Andy Blignaut had Rahul Dravid caught at the wicket, and they followed it up in the first half-hour of the fourth day with four more wickets for just 10 runs.Zimbabwe were set 157 to win, in theory not a difficult target under the circumstances. But, with Zimbabwe’s past record, it was not a foregone conclusion, and it was indeed to prove a tense struggle. The final turning point of the game was the innings of Stuart Carlisle.Carlisle has no great record in Test cricket, with an average in the twenties and, before this innings, only four fifties to his credit, the highest of which was 58. He often stabilized an innings at number three with a solid twenty or thirty, before getting out just as he was looking well set. But the Zimbabwean players and selectors know him as a man with a big heart, one who is dedicated to his game and a wonderful trier.On this day Carlisle got his reward with what must, under the circumstances, go down as one of the most vital innings ever played for Zimbabwe in a Test match. With Andy Flower suffering a finger injury, the team as a whole must have suffered a psychological setback in chasing their target. But Carlisle was the man who put his hand up, with an innings of superb temperament and judgement. He played scarcely a false shot in seeing his team home with a new Test best of 62 not out. Single-minded determination was the hallmark of his innings, evident in every ball he faced. It is to be hoped that this innings will give him the confidence to go on to greater things and higher scores in future.There was much good bowling from both sides. Zimbabwe had to struggle for runs throughout the match against the Indian pace attack of Javagal Srinath – below his best in the first innings but magnificent in the second – Ajit Agarkar, who was most unlucky, and Ashish Nehra, perhaps the find of the tour for India. Then there was Harbhajan Singh, who was never mastered by the Zimbabweans, but neither did they let him intimidate them.Zimbabwe, for their part, also benefited from fine bowling by Heath Streak, Travis Friend, on his debut, and Andy Blignaut, who won the Man of the Match award and was often superb. They bowled a tight off-stump line, perhaps a little too defensively at times, but it kept the Indian batsmen in check during that crucial second innings when they looked ready to take the game out of Zimbabwe’s reach.Both sides fielded superbly. Zimbabwe have always been known for this virtue, but India often matched them. The Indian close catching in the series has frequently been brilliant, with Shiv Sunder Das, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman all worthy of special mention.It has been a good series, and it was a pity the Zimbabwe Cricket Union were unwilling to play a three-match series, for financial reasons, so there could be a decider. The series draw will no doubt increase India’s desire to win the triangular tournament, starting on Saturday, so as to salvage a rare triumph from an overseas tour.

All the team news ahead of a fresh round of CricInfo Championship action

Somerset skipper Jamie Cox is keen to take advantage of the fact that Yorkshire and Surrey are not playing in the fresh round of the CricInfo Championship

CricInfo19-Jun-2001Somerset skipper Jamie Cox is keen to take advantage of the fact that Yorkshire and Surrey are not playing in the fresh round of the CricInfo Championship.Somerset are currently third in the Championship and hope to close the gap on the two pace setters when they meet bottom club Northants at Wantage Road.”It’ll be good if we can get closer to them,” Cox explained. “We managed to get 10 points last week (against Yorkshire), and we batted well. We’re going okay and sitting where we need to be sitting. It’s about getting steady points.”Cox will miss the next two or three weeks with his broken thumb, leaving Somerset without several first team players to a mixture of England calls and injury, but rival captain, David Ripley, is taking nothing for granted.”Somerset are a good side. They have quite a small squad but always seem very together and close-knit. Obviously they’ll be missing (Andy) Caddick and (Marcus) Trescothick, but they’ve got guys to come in and take their chances.”Kent are level on points with Somerset, and entertain Leicestershire at Canterbury.”Leicestershire are playing good cricket and I expect them to come down here full of confidence,” Kent captain Matthew Fleming said. “They have shown they’ve got great strength in depth and they’ve got good match-winners with the bat and the ball.”Aftab Habib returns to strengthen the visitors’ squad.Middlesex and Warwickshire meet at Edgbaston in a top of the table Second Division clash, with Mohammed Sheikh’s medium pace expected to be preferred to the off-spin of former captain, Neil Smith, for the hosts.Middlesex’s coach, John Emburey, is expecting a tight encounter. “It’s a top-of-the-table clash and it’s not going to be easy,” he said. “They play some positive cricket and try to get their runs quickly. I’d imagine it’ll be a very close match between two evenly-matched sides.”Meanwhile Durham travel to West End to play Hampshire. Stephen Harmison is hoping to be fit for the visitors, but Nick Hatch has been included in the squad as cover. James Brinkley is away with the Scottish squad in Canada for the 2001 ICC Trophy.”Durham have been playing very well in the one-day championship and they are far more consistent in the championship this year,” Tim Tremlett, Hampshire’s director of cricket, said.Gloucestershire will have to cope without Jon Lewis who has a bad back, but Ben Gannon is expected to play as they travel to Derby. The home side welcome back Paul Aldred and Nathan Dumelow.Kevin Pietersen will miss Nottinghamshire’s home match with Sussex suffering from a pinched nerve in his back. Ex-Test player, 37-year-old John Morris is the man likely to replace him.

Pereira can be West Ham’s best since Payet

West Ham United are set to face competition over one of their reported transfer targets…

What’s the word?

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, the Irons will battle Premier League rivals Aston Villa for the signature of West Brom sensation Matheus Pereira this summer.

They aren’t the only two clubs who are keen on him either, with unnamed Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga sides also mentioned.

The 25-year-old playmaker is under contract at The Hawthorns until 2024, having signed to £30,000-per-week terms in the summer, and he is thought to be valued by the Baggies at around €25m (£22.5m).

Best since Payet?

Having been lauded as a “genius” with previously unseen technical ability by his former Nurnberg coach Nate Weiss, the Brazilian attacking midfielder was one of the few shining lights in West Brom’s dismal season.

Indeed, the Baggies relied heavily on his creative exploits, as he provided 48.5% of all their goals scored (11 goals, six assists) in the Premier League this term. Only Spurs were as reliant on Harry Kane, by comparison.

After one particularly encouraging display earlier in the season, Match of the Day pundit Jermaine Jenas waxed lyrical about his qualities, saying: “He’s been a top player for them. He had a slow start in the Premier League – I think that’s been a big part of the reason why West Brom all of a sudden look like they can score goals.

“He’s just silky. When he’s on it, he’s just got that lovely left-foot, [he tucked] his penalty away, the delivery into the box for set-pieces was brilliant, and he wanted to showcase his skills.”

The Hammers have had plenty of fantastic midfielders over the years, their current first-choice duo of Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice featuring among that list, but for a while they have lacked the sort of engima who has fans on the edge of their seats – perhaps since Dimitri Payet left.

The Frenchman could spark something out of nothing and is arguably the most talented player the east London club have had, at least in the modern era. As wonderful as Soucek is, he’s just not that type of sensation.

In just 48 appearances, Payet delivered 11 goals and 18 assists, and it probably could’ve been so much more. Even after his exit, no West Ham player could match his chances created since the 2015 season, which speaks volumes.

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Pereira is cut from the same cloth, having averaged 1.8 key passes per game this season, to build on a return of 2.8 key passes per game in the Championship last term, via WhoScored.

Valued at £18m by CIES Football Observatory, GSB could certainly excite the Irons faithful on their return to the London Stadium next season if they were to land the Baggies maestro this summer.

He could be a fine addition to build on what has been a fantastic season for West Ham.

AND in other news, West Ham insider delivers MAJOR David Moyes update that’ll delight fans…

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