Hammers News

It’s fair to say Thomas Frank is not expecting Mohammed Kudus to be greeted with a particularly warm reception when Tottenham Hotspur’s £54.5 million summer signing makes his return to West Ham United.

Then again, a footballer who became the first to swap the Hammers for Spurs since Scott Parker in 2011 is clearly not afraid of upsetting the applecart.

A ‘hostile’ response, to quote Frank, is what Mohammed Kudus would have been expecting when the former West Ham United favourite pushed through a highly-controversial switch 12 miles north back in July.

While Graham Potter played down the noise surrounding Kudus’ return to the London Stadium during his pre-match press conference on Thursday – preferring to focus on the players still at his disposal – Frank is backing the Ghana international to let his football do the talking.

Thomas Frank talks ‘hostile’ West Ham United reception as Mohammed Kudus return looms

Kudus spent two rather mixed years in claret and blue, joining from Ajax during the summer of 2023 before scoring 19 goals in 80 games under David Moyes, Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.

Kudus became an immediate fan favourite at Tottenham on the back of a few sparkling early displays. Though, as the Hammers faithful know only too well, getting off to a great start is the easy bit.

Maintaining it is the biggest challenge. And that is where Kudus fell short in the east of the capital.

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“You don’t think they will applaud him? Maybe not,” Frank accepts when asked what sort of reception his number 20 can expect back at his old stomping ground.

“I’m pretty sure players and myself hear the extra noise but then, at a certain stage, you get into your zone and you don’t really hear it.

“I’m sure it will be the same for Kudus, the same for all players playing in a hostile environment. The thing he should do is focus on his game. That is what he can control.”

Graham Potter ignores Kudus question and praises Jarrod Bowen

Frank was heard telling Kudus to ‘create’ and ‘do whatever you want’ on the training pitch this week.

So, while the two-time Eredivisie champion has played solely on the right-hand side since joining Spurs, West Ham can expect to see him popping up in a variety of attacking positions while alternating with the likes of Brennan Johnson, Richarlison, Xavi Simons, or whoever the Tottenham boss opts to start in attack.

Lining up on the right-hand side for the Hammers, meanwhile, will be Jarrod Bowen.

Potter spoke glowingly about West Ham’s inspirational captain in his pre-match analysis, Bowen getting off the mark with a wonderful strike in the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last time out.

“I think the goals speak for themselves. He’s a goal threat, that’s what Jarrod is,” Potter enthused. “His finish against Forest was very, very high level. It’s incredible the way he takes it so early. His movement to hit the ball… he’s a killer around the box.

“He’s been a fantastic captain for us. A great leader. He speaks really well to the players [and] in small groups.

“He has been a joy to work with, to be honest, and everybody knows how important he is for us. Those goals and assists… There is not too much to say, it’s a great record.”

West Ham take on bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium on Saturday and Graham Potter has been given a helping hand to prepare for one of their biggest threats.

All the headlines for the Premier League clash between the Hammers and Spurs will centre around Mohammed Kudus and the two directors’ boxes.

Kudus returns to West Ham after his controversial – and prior to the summer unthinkable – £54.5m move to Tottenham.

The Ghanaian has agitated Hammers fans with his comments and revelations about his actions since leaving for West Ham’s biggest rivals behind Millwall.

West Ham boss Graham Potter refused to take the Kudus bait ahead of Spurs or mention the attacker by name or offer any pleasantries about the former Hammer.

Kudus and owners in spotlight for West Ham vs Spurs but don’t forget new stars

Eyes – and cameras – will also be trained on the directors’ boxes at the London Stadium with majority owner David Sullivan under fire from fans, who are planning a series of protests.

Meanwhile the family of Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis are expected to make a rare appearance following the departure of Daniel Levy.

Potter will want his team to focus on matters on the pitch, though, as he looks to maintain momentum from the brilliant 3-0 victory at Forest last time out.

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Spurs come to east London off the back of being booed by their own fans in a 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.

West Ham looked a completely different animal with new signing Mateus Fernandes in the side at Forest.

But Tottenham have a number of new arrivals who could make their debuts against West Ham too.

Before the window closed, West Ham signed defender Igor Julio on loan from Brighton.

Igor is best known by Hammers fans as being the man Jarrod Bowen left for dead to win them the club’s first trophy in 43 years back in 2023.

Hammers fans were disappointed with the club’s lack of business on deadline day.

But the muscle-bound Brazilian has all the makings of a West Ham fan favourite and has been implored to get stuck into a certain Mr Kudus if he gets on at any stage.

Spurs coach spills beans on new star’s role against West Ham

Tottenham have signed some quality players, though, with Dutch playmaker Xavi Simons joining in a £51m move and French striker Randal Kolo Muani on a season-long loan from PSG.

Potter told the press he knows what the Tottenham game means to West Ham fans.

Big bragging rights are at stake and these London derbies can often be decided by fine margins.

So every little detail counts.

And Potter may have been given a leg up on Thomas Frank’s tactics for the match – thanks to a video emerging out of the Tottenham camp.

A Spurs coach has been overheard revealing details about a new star’s role against West Ham.

It gives more than a glimpse into Tottenham’s potential game plan.

Make no mistake, Tottenham new boy Simons is a classy player and will be one – if not the one – to watch if Potter’s side want to win the game.

Simons is also extremely versatile, capable of playing on both wings, as an attacking midfielder or number 10 and even a second striker.

But a video taken of Spurs training may have let the cat out of the bag on Frank’s gameplan for West Ham.

Video footage, which you can watch below, shows Tottenham coach Matt Wells running a very specific drill which shows Simons being deployed centrally as the main playmaker.

The video shows Simons dropping deeper to pick the ball up, before turning and driving to conduct attacks.

Potter gets big leg-up on Tottenham’s tactics and plan for Simons

Frank is also giving Simons freedom to essentially play a floating role against West Ham with Wells being heard telling the Dutchman: “Go create, do whatever you want” as he receives the ball and turns.

This is absolute gold dust for Potter and West Ham’s management.

If this is how Frank is going to deploy Simons, the Hammers can be prepared.

Potter will want one of his midfielders, or possibly a forward dropping in depending on how deep Simons does come to collect the ball, to get tight on the 22-year-old so that he cannot turn and orchestrate attacks.

Tottenham have dangerous wingers and for everything said about Kudus, West Ham know how dangerous his pace and dribbling can be when he is on his game.

So the last thing the Irons want is for Simons being allowed to turn and dictate play, picking out those wingers.

It remains to be seen whether Potter sticks with the back four which did so well at Forest.

Many Hammers fans fear he may revert to his preferred five with wingbacks.

That would allow the extra midfielder to be all over Simons like a rash. But if they get it wrong and the ex RB Leipzig star is able to turn then West Ham’s wingbacks could be in trouble.

It promises to be one of the keys to who will come out on top in this game.

Potter can at least prepare the team accordingly now thanks to this nugget from behind enemy lines.

While the looming presence of Mohammed Kudus threatens to overshadow much of the pre-match build up when West Ham United host Tottenham Hotspur this Premier League weekend, Graham Potter is only interested in talking up his own matchwinners.

Potter would not be drawn, during his Thursday press conference, about the potential flashpoint that is Mohammed Kudus’ imminent return to the London Stadium.

The Tottenham faithful were quick to rub Hammers’ noses in it when the Ghana international became the first player since Scott Parker in 2014 to swap East London for N17.

Just to add insult to injury, Kudus made a flying start to life at Spurs while West Ham United endured mathematically the worst start in Premier League history. No points and eight goals conceded from their first two matchdays.

But what a difference one weekend can make.

Kudus was a helpless bystander as AFC Bournemouth brutally exposed the ghosts in the Thomas Frank machine last time out. Just 24 hours later, Jarrod Bowen set West Ham on their way to a belated first win of 2025/26 with a gorgeous first-time strike away at Nottingham Forest.

Graham Potter applauds ‘incredible’ Jarrod Bowen before West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Bowen’s City Ground dagger was nothing short of ‘world-class’, to quote former Hammers defender Matthew Upson.

Alan Shearer called it an ‘incredible’ finish. And it’s fair to say the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer knows a thing or two about sticking the ball in the back of the net.

Shearer’s description was the same one used by Potter, meanwhile, as Bowen further strengthened his argument to be named the Premier League’s standout performer outside of the so-called ‘big six’.

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“I think the goals speak for themselves. He’s a goal threat, that’s what Jarrod is,” Potter enthused. “His finish against Forest was very, very high level. It’s incredible the way he takes it so early.

“His movement to hit the ball… he’s a killer around the box.”

While a talismanic presence on the pitch and a natural-born leader off it, former club-record signing Matt Jarvis believes Jarrod Bowen has benefited immensely from his experience leading the line under David Moyes and occasionally under Potter.

More ruthless, more devastatingly efficient than ever before.

“He’s been a fantastic captain for us,” Potter adds. “A great leader. He speaks really well to the players [and] in small groups.

“He has been a joy to work with, to be honest, and everybody knows how important he is for us. Those goals and assists… There is not too much to say, it’s a great record.”

Potter welcomes back Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka but Niclas Fullkrug a doubt

It is no secret that departing chairman Daniel Levy would have loved to take Bowen to Tottenham. Now, instead, the prospect of Kudus and Bowen going head-to-head down the respective right-hand flanks should make for very interesting viewing.

Niclas Fullkrug is West Ham’s only injury doubt heading into the weekend, meanwhile. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf have returned unscathed after facing off during Senegal’s 3-2 victory over DR Congo, while Potter has indicated that Callum Wilson could start up top in Fullkrug’s place.

“Malick will be slightly happier than Aaron in terms of how their games went!” Potter smiles. “We are positive and it’s good to see everybody.

“[Wilson] has been great, as we expected. A fantastic professional, a great person to have around the club and training ground.

“We are still building him up. He hasn’t had a pre-season but his impact against Forest was fantastic. We are delighted with Callum, where he is at but also where he’s been, and how we can carry on helping him to have his minutes, make his impact, and contribute to the team.

“[Whether he can start against Spurs] is something we have to take a decision on. He has not been with us that long. It’s always in the back of your mind, we have to do the right thing for him and the team.

“But he’s the type of professional where, whether he starts or finishes [a game], he can have a great impact with us.”

Graham Potter has stood firm ahead of West Ham’s clash with Spurs, refusing to take the bait when pressed about Mohammed Kudus.

And it comes as fresh revelations prove the West Ham boss was right to offload the Ghanaian, even if it was to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

West Ham take on fierce rivals Tottenham at the London Stadium this Saturday night with the big storyline being the return of Mohammed Kudus.

Hammers fans have dubbed Kudus ‘Judus’ since he left for Spurs in a £54.5m move in the summer.

There are several strands to the Kudus debate.

It is churlish to suggest Kudus is not a talented player. West Ham fans know he can play and he showed that in his debut season with 20 goals and assists including some barnstorming strikes.

An elite level dribbler, many at West Ham believe he has been found out a little bit and question his end product.

Kudus adds more spice to fierce West Ham and Spurs rivalry

In an ideal world, where West Ham were ambitious and in rude financial health, they would be keeping a player of Kudus’ talents and looking to build around him and other key stars.

But the Hammers board insisted Graham Potter must sell players in order to be able to buy.

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So the fact West Ham fans have to suffer the ignominy of seeing a quality player leave for Tottenham is on the board, not the manager.

As one of West Ham’s only high-value assets in the summer, Kudus was always in line to be sold and Potter elected that being able to use the money from offloading the Black Stars ace in order to sign his own players would be more beneficial than keeping the former Ajax attacker.

Fans of Spurs and West Ham have exchanged the usual jibes since.

Tottenham supporters have been thanking West Ham for selling them Kudus, claiming he is a bargain.

Hammers fans on the other hand have warned Spurs they are getting a head-down merchant with no end product and a poor attitude.

Irons fans also noted Kudus’ efforts to track and tackle back fell off a cliff after his initial enthusiasm in his debut campaign.

The truth, as Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle has suggested himself, is probably somewhere in-between.

One thing that’s for certain is Kudus will get a white hot reception at the London Stadium following his comments in the wake of West Ham’s controversial sale to Spurs.

Potter refuses to take the Kudus bait ahead of Spurs

An inflammatory unveiling saw Kudus declare he ‘only wanted Spurs’.

The first player to be traded between the two clubs since 2011, Kudus was also heard telling Tottenham’s doctor he would ‘find Spurs in there’ as he examined his heart during a medical.

Claims Kudus was persistently late to training during pre-season in order to force the move to Tottenham have also enraged Hammers supporters.

As he makes an early season return to his old stomping ground, it was obvious West Ham’s manager was going to be asked about Kudus.

But Potter refused to take the Kudus bait ahead of Spurs as revelations prove West Ham were right.

In his pre-Tottenham press conference, Potter was asked whether there is extra motivation for West Ham to win to get one over on Kudus.

Potter did not bite. But notably, he did not mention Kudus by name or offer any praise or pleasantries for his former player – something most managers usually do in these circumstances, even if they don’t mean it.

“No, I think the motivation is there for us, it’s for us to play against Spurs,” Potter said.

“We know how important it is for the fans, we know how important it is for the club.

“Three points for us is huge so we want to do that for us and for the team and the club and we can’t control anything from anybody else. We just want to play well and win.”

Kudus and Bowen revelations prove West Ham right

As Kudus makes his return, there have been two telling revelations which prove West Ham made the right call selling him to Spurs.

Explaining their decision to offload Kudus in the summer, West Ham’s board stated his best position is off the right, where they already have a superior player in Jarrod Bowen.

Kudus is known to look up to West Ham’s number 20 Bowen and rate him very highly, saying: ‘Jaz is the GOAT’ in one interview during his time in east London.

Some have suggested Kudus even chose his number 20 shirt at Tottenham for that reason.

Now the world’s leading football data experts have revealed staggering statistics about Kudus and Bowen which prove West Ham’s board right.

They also show Hammers fans are accurate in their warning to Spurs that Kudus’ end product is poor.

“Mohammed Kudus has more incomplete dribbles (110) than any other player since the start of the last Premier League season,” WhoScored have announced.

Meanwhile, WhoScored have revealed the list of Premier League forwards who have won possession for their team the most in the final third since the start of last season.

Unsurprisingly, Kudus is nowhere to be seen – but Hammers captain Bowen certainly is.

Frustratingly for Tottenham, two players they missed out on before opting to sign Kudus, are the only players above Bowen in that particular list in the shape of Antoine Semenyo and Bryan Mbuemo.

Bowen has won the ball back 32 times for West Ham in the final third since the start of last season.

Semenyo topped the chart with 42 while Mbuemo had 35, Amad Diallo 30 and Mo Salah 27.

Versatility is clearly something Graham Potter – whose West Ham United side host bitter Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening – were looking for in the transfer window when signing Igor Julio and co.

As Vasco Seabra, his former coach at Portuguese outfit Estoril, explained, Mateus Fernandes is capable of thriving across a variety of midfield roles.

The £40 million signing from Southampton made his West Ham United bow on the left-hand side of a re-jigged 4-2-3-1 formation last time out at Nottingham Forest. Graham Potter expects Fernandes to form a fine understanding with El Hadji Malick Diouf, given time.

Speaking of Diouf, while the Senegalese flyer began life with the Hammers as a wing-back, his best performance so far came as a traditional left-back in a four-man defence during that 3-0 City Ground trouncing.

Fellow full-back Kyle Walker-Peters is equally comfortable on either flank. And while £14 million Frenchman Soungoutou Magassa prefers to play as a ‘number six’, he has also spent time as a centre-half in his young career.

Now, during his pre-Spurs press conference on Thursday lunchtime, Potter indicated that the deadline day signing of Igor Julio was also made with his ability to cover multiple positions in mind.

Graham Potter shares West Ham United’s plan for Brighton loanee Igor Julio

In the final few hours of the window, West Ham inadvertently wrecked Liverpool’s Marc Guehi hopes.

Igor Julio was supposed to join Crystal Palace as Guehi’s replacement but instead ended up a few miles east at the London Stadium.

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The Brighton loanee brings ‘a lot of quality’ in possession to Potter’s team with his trusty left-foot and his positive, line-breaking passes. And while Igor Julio made the majority of his 50 Brighton appearances at centre-half, Potter is confident that the Brazilian can also provide cover for Malick Diouf at left-back.

“As you can imagine with the window, you have to be on your toes,” Potter explains, West Ham jumping at the chance to nab Igor on deadline day after selling Nayef Aguerd to Marseille.

“The opportunity for Nayef to leave was good for him and us. A possibility opened up for Igor. He’s trained really well, fitted into the group really well. He is a positive character, so we are happy [with the signing].

“We’ve got good competition there now. Igor can cover centre-back and full-back. I’m happy with that position, happy that the window has finished and we are where we are.”

While Graham Potter suggested that Callum Wilson could make his full West Ham debut in place of injury-doubt Niclas Fullkrug, both Igor and Magassa are likely to be in the matchday squad for the first time, if not the starting XI.

And though it may feel like a risk throwing in a new centre-half up against Tottenham’s dangerous frontline, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler highlighted Igor Julio’s ‘special’ ability to step in at short notice and settle into the flow of things right from the off.

This week, a spokesman for the board told Hammers News that Igor could stay at the London Stadium full-time should he impress during his temporary stay.

Potter explains Lukasz Fabianski return as Hammers prepare for Tottenham Hotspur clash

The more familiar face of Lukasz Fabianski may also be part of Potter’s party this weekend.

Potter welcomed veteran goalkeeper Fabianski back some 24 hours ago. The 40-year-old signs a short-term deal until the end of the season, and will provide experienced back-up and mentorship for new number one Mads Hermansen.

Fabianski’s return came about after Wes Foderingham moved to Cyprus with Aris Limassol.

“When the opportunity for Wes came up, it was the right thing for him and us from a footballing perspective,” Potter reveals. “Then, you look at someone who can support the goalkeepers, and when we know Lukasz like we do, he was an obvious choice for us.

“He brings a lot of character and personality. He’s an incredible professional, so we are really pleased.”

West Ham face bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium as Premier League action resumes after the international break.

The Hammers welcome Spurs to east London for a clash with no shortage of sub-plots, Mohammed Kudus’ return chief among them.

Graham Potter is looking to keep the momentum from West Ham’s superb 3-0 win away at Forest last time out while Tottenham are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.

Kudus is in for a white hot reception following his comments in the wake of West Ham’s controversial sale to Spurs.

Kudus declared he ‘only wanted Spurs’ when he was unveiled as the first player to be transferred between the two clubs since January 2011.

Ghana star Kudus was also caught on camera telling Tottenham’s club doctor he would ‘find Spurs in there’ as he examined his heart during a medical.

Kudus is one of many sub-plots to West Ham vs Spurs clash

Those comments did not go down well with fans alongside claims Kudus was persistently late to training during pre-season in order to underline his desire to join Tottenham.

As well as the Kudus factor, all eyes will be on both directors’ boxes too.

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Spurs will reportedly start the club’s post-Daniel Levy era with a ‘public show of power’ from members of the family of club owner Joe Lewis as they make a rare appearance for the clash with West Ham.

The game is live on Sky Sports and cameras will undoubtedly be trained on both owners’ boxes given recent events.

West Ham fans are planning protests against the club’s owners.

There has been a major development ahead of the Spurs game after a Hammers board member agreed to meet fan groups.

Now West Ham have made an unprecedented announcement for the Spurs game as the board finally confront a major issue.

This is a rivalry that has grown in significance across the Premier League era.

The two clubs simply don’t get on and bragging rights are everything in this particular clash.

Potter is well aware of that, stating in his pre-match press conference that he and his players ‘know what the Spurs game means to fans’.

West Ham fans planning protests against the owners have a long and unwieldy list of grievances from the way the club is run to the move to the London Stadium and a lack of ambition.

One massive bone of contention has also been ticketing and stewarding at their rented home.

West Ham fans are regularly subjected to away fans getting tickets in the home sections since they moved to Stratford in 2016.

West Ham make unprecedented announcement for Spurs

Games against Man United, Arsenal, Newcastle and a host of others were marred by away fans getting in the home end last season.

That is a potentially volatile situation for any game given the tribalism which makes football so great.

But particularly in a fierce derby such as West Ham vs Tottenham.

Hammers fans feel their pleas to the club over away fans getting in the home end have been persistently ignored.

But now fan power looks to have finally won the day for West Ham.

Because the Hammers board have announced unprecedented security measures are being put in place for the game against Tottenham.

Whether it is a result of the board meeting with fan groups on Thursday or not remains to be seen, but West Ham are finally listening to their supporters over the infuriating issue.

West Ham have released a strongly worded statement telling supporters of both clubs that there will be increased security activity taking place against Tottenham Hotspur, specifically to prevent any Spurs fans gaining access to home sections of the London Stadium.

The news will prompt a collective cry of ‘about time too’ from Hammers fans.

And it is clearly to avoid a potential powder keg waiting to explode given the mood among a large section of West Ham’s fanbase.

“Supporters may observe increased security presence when entering London Stadium and may need to comply with additional checks at the turnstiles,” West Ham said in a statement.

“This is to help ensure that home supporters only are seated in the home sections and that all spectators have a comfortable experience when watching the match.

West Ham board finally confront major issue

“For security reasons, you will not be able to bring bottles, including reusable bottles, in to the stadium on Saturday and will need to decant any drinks into plastic cups at the security checkpoints.”

Fans have been advised to arrive early for the game given the extra security measures.

West Ham have also taken the decision to strictly ban half-and-half scarves at the game.

The Hammers state that any supporter, be it West Ham or Tottenham, who wears a half-and-half scarf or has items illustrating the colours/crests of both clubs will not be allowed inside the ground for the game.

In fact, if any fans are seen with half-and-half scarves from third-party sellers they will be confiscated by security staff and not returned.

Another victory for fan power at West Ham – now it remains to be seen whether the measures are actually put in place properly when the game rolls around.

West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday evening.

Could there be two new names on the West Ham United team sheet when Graham Potter reveals his starting XI for Saturday’s Premier League derby against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur?

Well, it’s certainly a possibility. A selection headache of a more welcome variety.

While Graham Potter altered his tactics to great success last time out before the international break – Jarrod Bowen’s ‘world-class’ finish set them on their way to an eventual 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest – that long-awaited first victory of 2025/26 also owed much to a couple of new faces.

Mateus Fernandes was ‘exceptional’ on his Hammers debut, to quote former striker Carlton Cole. Callum Wilson converted his first West Ham United goal thanks to some magnificent work down the left from summer signing El Hadji Malick Diouf.

And, on what would prove to be a bitterly disappointing City Ground farewell, even Nuno Espirito Santo admitted that Nottingham Forest could not handle Crysencio Summerville as the returning winger made an electrifying impact off the bench.

Now that Summerville and Wilson have had another couple of weeks to build up their fitness, could both players make a first start of the campaign when Thomas Frank’s Tottenham come to town?

While Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann played down Niclas Fullkrug’s injury concerns, a calf issue picked up on international duty renders the big centre-forward touch-and-go for Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off.

Bowen could take Fullkrug’s place up top, of course. But Potter may also have the option of introducing veteran poacher Wilson, while keeping the skipper in his most effective right-wing role.

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Though 33-year-old Wilson may still be carrying a bit of rust after an injury-hit final season at Newcastle and the lack of a pre-season, he certainly does not look like a centre-forward lacking sharpness if those early Hammers cameos are anything to go by.

“He’s been great, as we expected,” Potter says of Wilson. “A fantastic professional, a great person to have around the club and training ground.

“We are still building him up. He hasn’t had a pre-season but his impact against Forest was fantastic. We are delighted with Callum, where he is at but also where he’s been, and how we can carry on helping him to have his minutes, make his impact, and contribute to the team.

“[Whether he can start against Spurs] is something we have to take a decision on. He has not been with us that long. It’s always in the back of your mind, we have to do the right thing for him and the team.

“But he’s the type of professional where, whether he starts or finishes [a game], he can have a great impact with us.”

Graham Potter backs Crysencio Summerville to kick on after Nottingham Forest win

Clearly, he has not lost that knack of sticking away chances.

Fellow ex-England international Darren Bent believes Callum Wilson can score 15 Premier League goals this season if he avoids a return to the dreaded treatment table. A man who netted 47 in 71 starts as a Newcastle player certainly appears to bring the sort of wily, penalty-box movement often lacking from Fullkrug.

And while Bowen feels Summerville will be like ‘a new signing’ for the Hammers – he assisted the captain’s City Ground opener two minutes after entering the fray before winning the penalty converted by Lucas Paqueta – Potter is equally delighted to have the club’s number seven back and desperate to make up for lost time.

“It’s great to have him. [Summerville] gives us another dimension,” Potter adds. “It’s been a long road with setbacks, so credit to him. He’s shown that mental strength.

“Now, we just need to help him enjoy his football because, if we do that, he is a big help for us.”

Remarkably, given the contrasting dialogue surrounding both clubs’ start to the season, West Ham can draw level with Thomas Frank’s Spurs with a win this weekend.

Tottenham were outstanding in the 2-0 away win at Man City three weeks ago. But the 1-0 reverse at home to Bournemouth seven days later – a match in which the Cherries mustered 20 shots to their hosts’ five – was a brutal reminder of the progress still to be made.

“There is not a big sample size. It’s three Premier League games,” Potter points out when asked to comment on Frank’s start in North London. “With the greatest respect, I’ve been thinking a lot about our team and the challenges we have.

“Any Premier League game you play, its always a tough match. The level is getting higher and higher, that’s the reality.

“It’s an important game for us. We understand how much it means to our supporters, so we want to carry on the feeling of positivity we had against Forest, do our best and try and win.”

West Ham only have a narrow window of opportunity to strike a takeover deal with PCP Capital Partners, an update from a prominent journalist has revealed.

Following the consortium’s rejected bid for Spurs, all eyes are now on the Hammers — but timing is critical and could prove a decisive factor.

They say timing is everything and that certainly looks the case for West Ham and rivals Tottenham Hotspur regarding their future ownership.

The Hammers take on their rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium this weekend.

And just as many eyes will be on the two directors’ boxes as the action on the pitch for the Premier League clash.

All eyes on both directors’ boxes when West Ham face Spurs

Tottenham will reportedly start the club’s post-Daniel Levy era with a ‘public show of power’ from members of the family of the club’s owner Joe Lewis.

It is claimed the Lewis family are “hungry” for more trophies and are expected to make a rare appearance at West Ham for Spurs’ first game since Levy stepped down as chairman after 25 years in the role.

The London derby between two clubs who simply don’t get on will be televised and cameras will undoubtedly be trained on both owners’ boxes given recent events.

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Because West Ham fans are mobilising again to protest against their owners in upcoming matches against Tottenham and Brentford.

A faction of unhappy supporters want to try and force David Sullivan and co to sell the club.

West Ham have stated they don’t feel such protests help anyone.

Following Levy’s exit, Tottenham have rejected expressions of interest in buying the club from Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners and a Chinese consortium.

Tottenham have announced the club is not for sale.

That has piled pressure on Sullivan and co given PCP’s links with West Ham.

Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady insisted just a few weeks ago that West Ham’s owners are not going anywhere.

West Ham have small window for sale to PCP after Spurs snub

But that was before plans for fresh protests – the first large-scale movement against the West Ham ownership since 2018 – emerged.

Staveley’s consortium was linked with a West Ham takeover last season.

After setting up the Saudi PIF takeover at Newcastle and then selling her stake, Staveley put together a consortium in order to invest in another Premier League club.

A leading Hammers board source close to Sullivan claimed last season that the Staveley-led fund could buy into West Ham instead of Spurs.

The mega-rich financier made a choice between Tottenham and West Ham, opting for the north Londoners.

But while there was potential good news for Hammers fans who want to see Sullivan and Daniel Kretinsky sell up, timing is now critical.

Because West Ham only have a small window for a takeover sale to PCP after Spurs snubbing their expressions of interest.

Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol has delivered an update on the situation.

And Solhekol does not believe this is the end of PCP’s interest in Spurs.

In fact he claims Staveley’s consortium may pursue an interest in the future, giving West Ham a finite window if they want to try and rekindle PCP’s interest amid the growing discontent among supporters.

“I don’t think so (that this is the end of PCP’s interest in Spurs),” Solhekol said.

“Amanda Staveley is someone who is incredibly well connected in the world of football and in the world of finance.

“She has proved time and time again that she can play a very significant role in the purchase of big, big Premier League clubs. She was involved in the takeover of Manchester City by Sheikh Mansour, she was very, very closely involved with the takeover of Newcastle United.

“She definitely wants to carry on being involved in football. And these deals potentially take a long time, I think the Newcastle deal took what three, four years.

“So even though Amanda Staveley’s PCP have issued a statement saying they are not intending to bid (for Spurs), I don’t think this is the end of the road for them, I think this is a long-term play.”

Tottenham are a more attractive proposition than West Ham due to their higher profits, world-class football stadium and training ground.

But West Ham would be the cheaper initial investment with the scale for improvement and progress much higher.

Whether Sullivan, Kretinsky and co have any interest in selling remains to be seen.

West Ham have received a huge double injury boost ahead of their Premier League clash with fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur after confirmation two stars will be available.

It’s the kind of news out of West Ham that will have Thomas Frank and his Spurs side quite literally running scared.

West Ham and Tottenham is one of the fiercest derbies in London.

Both clubs have more traditional rivals in Millwall and Arsenal respectively but there is absolutely no love lost when the Hammers take on Tottenham.

It is a rivalry which has grown throughout the Premier League era and there is an extra edge to this weekend’s meeting at the London Stadium following West Ham’s controversial sale of Mohammed Kudus to Spurs.

Spurs new boy Kudus set for hostile Hammers reception

It was bad enough that the Hammers broke an unofficial 14-and-a-half year transfer embargo to sell Kudus to Tottenham for £30m less than his release clause.

The Ghanaian then rubbed salt in West Ham wounds by declaring he ‘only wanted Spurs’ in his announcement video.

Further footage showed Kudus telling a club medic ‘you will find Spurs in there’ when examining the winger’s heart with a stethoscope.

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Since the move it has come to light that Kudus forced the move by continually turning up late to training.

So his bridges are well and truly burnt with Hammers fans and he is assured a white hot reception at the London Stadium.

Had the game been played a few weeks ago, Tottenham would have been overwhelming favourites.

While Frank had got his Spurs tenure off to a perfect beginning, West Ham had made their worst ever start to a top flight campaign, shipping 11 goals in three games to lose their opening two Premier League matches and exit the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle.

However, new life was breathed into West Ham’s season by a remarkably good 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest.

That was the Tricky Trees’ biggest home defeat for 25 years and the Hammers looked transformed with the likes of new signing Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen, Callum Wilson, El Hadji Malick Diouf and the entire defence shining.

Meanwhile Frank was tasting his first competitive defeat as Tottenham were booed by some fans after a 1-0 loss at home to Bournemouth.

Hammers fans – and their team – will go to the game with renewed hope and belief.

West Ham get major double injury boost over stars for Spurs

Especially after news emerging from the club ahead of the clash.

Because West Ham have been handed a major double injury boost over stars that will have Spurs running scared.

Pace and power are absolutely key in the Premier League.

They are non-negotiables for players and teams and what separates the English top flight from the world’s other leagues.

West Ham’s struggles in recent times have boiled down to a distinct lack of those two attributes in the team.

Striker Niclas Fullkrug is a major doubt for the Tottenham match after leaving the Germany squad early following a new calf issue.

West Ham don’t believe the injury is ‘anything too much’ – but it seems highly unlikely the striker would be risked unless the medical team are 100 per cent sure it would not aggravate any injury.

Especially as Fullkrug spent six of the nine months of last season out injured with the very same problem.

While doubts remain over Fullkrug’s involvement, two West Ham speedsters will be available.

Nuno Espirito Santo conceded Hammers star Summerville destroyed his team when he came on as a surprise sub in the game last weekend.

The flying Dutchman has been out for eight months after suffering a serious hamstring injury in Graham Potter’s first game in charge back in January. The injury ultimately required an operation, which was delayed when Summerville opted to try and heal naturally first.

The 23-year-old was not due back until after the September international break but returned at Forest and came on with the scores at 0-0.

Summerville’s explosive pace tore Forest apart as he played a hand in all three goals, setting up Bowen for West Ham’s first, winning the penalty for Lucas Paqueta to convert and making the break and pass to Diouf which resulted in Wilson scoring a third.

Rumours have been circulating that Summerville has suffered a new hamstring injury ruling him out of the Tottenham clash.

His impact was so game-changing at Forest that Hammers fans have been left gravely concerned.

Summerville rumours denied and rapid West Ham teammate back too

But a leading West Ham insider close to owner David Sullivan has rubbished the claims, saying Summerville is fit, training and raring to go for the Tottenham game.

“Crysencio Summerville is NOT injured and is in training today,” Sean Whetstone said on X.

“Rumours over the weekend suggested he had suffered a relapse of his hamstring issues after he was missing from the club’s rush green training videos from Thursday.

“He is understood to have taken part in a behind the scenes game on Friday and returned to training today dispelling those rumours.”

Frank won’t be able to go too gung-ho against the Hammers with Summerville’s pace to think about.

It seems unlikely Summerville might start the game given the length of time he has been out.

But he will almost certainly be coming on at some stage.

Another of West Ham’s quickest players is also unexpectedly going to be available for Tottenham.

A minor West Ham miracle was spotted at Rush Green ahead of the derby.

Another jet-heeled Hammers winger the fans have high hopes for this season is Luis Guilherme.

The Brazil Under 20 star impressed at the tail end of last season and in pre-season.

But it was reported Guilherme broke his collarbone on the eve of the new season, ruling him out for at least eight weeks.

However, Guilherme is back training and played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford.

So the Brazilian teenager, who was signed in a £25m deal from Palmeiras last summer, will also be back in the squad to face Tottenham.

Saturday’s game is the 5.30pm kick-off on the Premier League and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

David Sullivan is facing mounting pressure after a consortium recently linked with a potential West Ham takeover had a bid for bitter rivals Spurs rejected.

West Ham welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the London Stadium for what promises to be a particularly feisty affair this weekend.

Especially against the backdrop of planned protests by some West Ham fans against David Sullivan and the Hammers board.

Not to mention the Mohammed Kudus factor after West Ham controversially sold the Ghanaian to their fierce rivals Spurs – the first transaction between the two clubs since January 2011.

But the real story ahead of the West Ham vs Tottenham clash could be rapidly developing off the pitch.

And the development could have major implications for the future ownership picture at both Spurs and West Ham.

David Moyes made a West Ham takeover claim which now looks like a prophecy for Sullivan and co.

Fans demanding West Ham are sold after Levy’s Spurs exit

West Ham will be fired up with renewed confidence for the clash after a brilliant 3-0 win over Forest last time out while Tottenham lost at home to Bournemouth and were booed off.

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Daniel Levy has since left Tottenham ahead of the trip to the London Stadium, the former Olympic Stadium he famously fought West Ham for.

Levy’s sudden departure has given hope to Hammers fans demanding Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky and Karren Brady leave their club.

A large number of West Ham supporters are once again mobilising to protest against the club’s ownership.

Hammers News was the first to report that West Ham fans contacted police over plans to protest in upcoming matches against Tottenham and Brentford to try and force Sullivan and co to sell the club.

Levy was only the chairman at Tottenham and has been forced out by the club’s ownership, ENIC.

But while the circumstances are slightly different, many West Ham fans believe Levy’s departure was the result of longstanding protests from Spurs fans.

There has been large-scale resentment from a section of Hammers supporters towards the owners ever since the move from Upton Park to the London Stadium.

A sustained period of regression over the last 19 months, culminating in this summer’s pleading of poverty in the transfer market due to PSR – which resulted in the ignominy of having to sell Kudus to their rivals – has brought fan anger bubbling back to the surface in east London.

West Ham have been linked with a host of takeovers in the recent past.

Consortium linked to West Ham takeover sees Spurs bid rejected

Brady insisted just a few weeks ago that West Ham’s owners are not going anywhere.

But the pressure is now mounting on Sullivan and co as a consortium linked to a West Ham takeover sees their Spurs bid rejected.

Last October Hammers News reported that a mega-rich financier had chosen between Spurs and West Ham.

After selling her stake in Newcastle, Amanda Staveley set about putting together a consortium in order to invest in another Premier League club.

West Ham’s fierce rivals Tottenham were chief among her targets, as reported by Bloomberg last year.

But a top Hammers board source claimed a Staveley-led fund could buy into West Ham instead.

Especially with the Gold family’s West Ham stake being up for sale since October 2023 and now out of probate.

Staveley ended up focusing her attentions on Spurs instead and formalised that interest with an official bid to ENIC for Tottenham over the weekend, in the wake of Levy’s departure.

It arrived alongside a rival bid from another interested party.

As well as the offer from Staveley’s PCP International, Spurs were also subject to a bid from a consortium led by Roger Kennedy and Wing Fai-Ng.

Spurs have now confirmed both bids have been rejected in an official statement on the club’s website.

And West Ham’s rivals have made it clear they have no intention of selling.

“The Board of the Club and ENIC confirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC has no intention to accept any such offer to acquire its interest in the Club,” the lengthy statement reads.

Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol claims Staveley is now expected to formally announce on Monday that PCP will not bid again to buy Tottenham.

That now presents West Ham with a massive, and potentially once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity to be taken over by owners with access to the kind of wealth needed to take the club to the next level.

Last season boyhood West Ham fan Ray Parlour urged Sullivan to sell West Ham so the club could realise its potential as a Champions League side.

There is no lack of irony that old rivals Tottenham could help finally make that happen.

With supporters pushing to try and force Sullivan and co to sell up and the links to Staveley’s PCP fund previously, all eyes now will be on whether the ex Newcastle chief – or indeed the rival consortium – turn their attention to the Hammers.

The situation could be about to get very interesting indeed.