West Ham News: C&H

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

Hermansen:5 Managed to get his hand of one of Tottenham’s numerous corners as Spurs started the first half slowly and finished with a flourish. Will have been pleased to get to half time at 0-0. Poor positioning for Spurs second. Made an excellent double save against Kudus and Johnson to stop it being 4-0.

Walker Peters:5 Nice run forward against his former club opened up a good Hammers attack. Looked to get on the front-foot when possible. Equally responsible for Tottenham’s second with Mavropanos.

Mavropanos:5 Promising sign early on as Dinos beat Xavi Simons for pace then won his first three headers. Called into action more and more as the first half went on and was a brick wall in the first half. Went to sleep as he lost Bergvall from open play.

Kilman:4 Sloppy mid and long range passing but made an important block at the beginning of the game. Not happy with his role in the zonal marking at corners which seem to be easily unpicked by the opposition. Very bad for Van de Ven’s goal and Tottenham’s third after 65 mins.

Diouf:5 Dangerous early cross almost found Bowen in the box and looked to have the start of a partnership with Summerville. Easily manhandled by Bergvall from marking Sarr as Spurs predictable went ahead from corner after 47 mins.

Ward Prowse:3 Worked hard as usually but his consistent inability to win loose balls continues to be a problem. Did produce a good delivery from a set-piece which Kilman should have done better with.

Soucek:4 Forced into an early block within the first minute and won a number of 50/50 balls early in the game. So important when defending from corners and crosses where he often became a third central defender. Sent off for a lunge with studs showing, no complaints but killed the game as a contest and Spurs scored their second two minutes later.

Fernandes:5 Created an excellent chance for Paqueta early in the game. No doubt Fernandes will become a crowd favourite with his skill and willingness to scrap.

Bowen:4 Not involved at all in the first half. Had an early shot from range at the start of the second period. Created West Ham’s first corner of the game forcing Vicario into a save.

Summerville:4 Impressed with how he was willing to graft and help out Diouf deal with Kudus.

Paqueta:4 Should have scored after 13 minutes and his influence on the game lessened from that point.

Substitutes

Guilherme: On for Summerville in the 60th minute

Magassa: Replaced Fernandes as part of a joint substitution. Probably unfair to rate or assess the substitutes considering they were introduced with the team losing and down to 10 men.

Wilson: Brought on for Paqueta at 3-0 down after 65 mins.

First game back after the international break that has interrupted the Premier League and West Ham will hope to continue their upward trajectory which began with the somewhat surprising three-nil victory away at Nottingham Forest. The Tottenham Hotspur derby always draws interest and hopefully will provide a more feisty and entertaining spectacle than last season’s dire 1-1 borefest.

The sub plot of Mohammed Kudus returning to east London hopefully ensures a spicy welcome for the former Hammer who hasn’t been slow to pour out words guaranteed to alienate his former fans.

Graham Potter has to decide how best to deploy the additions made to his squad during the summer window: Whilst Fernandes is a shoe-in, the likes of Magassa and loanee Igor Julio will be hoping for involvement. Like most Hammers fans, we are hoping for a 4 -3 -2-1 or 4-3-3 line up rather than the 5-3-2 which quickly becomes nine last ditch-defenders and has failed either to impress or entertain.

Here we give our own predictions on Graham Potters starting eleven, not the XI we’d like to see…

West Ham predicted starting XI: 4-3-2-1

Hermansen | Walker Peters, Mavropanous, Kilman, Diouf | Soucek, Fernandes, Ward Prowse | Paquetá, Bowen | Wilson

Sean 0-3 Spurs win

Gonzo 2-1 West Ham win

Matt 1-0 West Ham win

Martin 2-0 West Ham win

We will have the full line up for you at 4.15 so check back for Graham Potter’s starting line up. We’ll also have Gonzo’s ‘player ratings’ and ‘final whistle, first impressions’ articles after the game to which you can add your own opinions on the Hammers performance in the comments sections.

It would be fair to say that former West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus could be in for a rough ride when Tottenham arrive at the London Stadium on Saturday.

The Ghanaian departed the Hammers in less-than-ideal circumstances during the summer and started Spurs’ season brightly, creating a couple of goals in their Premier League opener.

Since then, however, Kudus’ performances have dipped, and he’s drawn criticism from sections of the Tottenham fanbase. That said, his struggles seem to have coincided with Spurs’ own lacklustre displays, and there’s little doubt he’ll be fired up to face his old mates this weekend.

Inevitability about West Ham return

It almost feels written in the stars that Kudus will score against West Ham. But the Hammers have their own ex-Spurs man with a point to prove. Kyle Walker-Peters, who came through the ranks at Tottenham, was close to rejoining them from Southampton but instead found his way to East London. The versatile 28-year-old impressed on his full debut against Nottingham Forest and will be battling to keep his place ahead of the now fully-fit Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

So both sides could field players with revenge on their minds. While many West Ham fans disliked the manner of Kudus’ departure, it was clear he had no future under Graham Potter.

Adding an extra layer of intrigue, Tottenham made a late bid for Lucas Paquetá in the summer, and there have even been wild rumours linking Hammers skipper Jarrod Bowen with a move to north London.

As for Saturday, El Hadji Malick Diouf will face a stern test up against Kudus. But if Potter can deploy Crysencio Summerville ahead of him, it could pin the £55m man back and give West Ham the edge they desperately need. Not to mention, it would hand Hammers fans the bragging rights and just a sprinkle of revenge.

As West Ham gear up for their London derby clash against Tottenham Hotspur, the rivalry extends far beyond the pitch. Despite finishing above Spurs last season, many Hammers fans still cast envious glances towards North London, where Tottenham’s lavish transfer spending, world-class stadium, and recent European appearances paint the picture of a club on the up.

But beneath Spurs’ financial bravado lies a different story. According to a report in the New York Times, Tottenham Hotspur currently have a financial charge registered at Companies House, held by Macquarie Bank. This charge is tied to future Premier League payments due between December 2025 and May 2026.

Rather than wait for the money to arrive in instalments, Spurs chose to take the cash upfront. Macquarie advances the funds and gets paid back as the Premier League makes its central distributions — pocketing interest in the process. It gives Spurs instant liquidity to act fast in the transfer market or cover running costs without delay.

Sound familiar? It should — West Ham’s owners have used similar methods, including a reported £145 million loan facility from Barclays, plus borrowing from Rights and Media Funding Limited.

West Ham borrow but won’t spend

But the frustration in East London lies in Tottenham’s willingness to invest. In December last year, ENIC — Spurs’ ownership group — injected £35 million directly into the club via share issuance. That’s something West Ham’s board have notably refused to do.

For Hammers fans, this isn’t just about borrowing money. It’s about ambition. Risk appetite. The feeling that their club is willing to push boundaries and compete at the top.

As the two teams prepare to face off, it’s clear the real battle isn’t just for three points. It’s a fight for prestige, direction — and the future.

Still, we’ll gladly take the points on Saturday!

The football world was shocked last week by the announcement that Daniel Levy, the long-serving chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, had stepped down after nearly 25 years at the helm. Almost immediately, speculation swirled around his next move, with West Ham United emerging as a surprise contender.

With Vanessa Gold’s 25.1% stake actively up for sale over the past two years, social media has been awash with suggestions that Levy could be preparing a bid.

Levy’s stake in Tottenham stands at 25.87%, with the club reportedly valued at £4 billion by the Lewis family. That puts his holding at an eye-watering £1.0348 billion. However, none of this wealth has been liquidated. Despite stepping down from the board, Levy remains a shareholder, and until those shares—or those held in discretionary trusts—are sold, he’s not in a position to take over another club.

In other words, while the idea of Levy “rocking up” at West Ham makes for compelling headlines, the financial logistics suggest it’s not happening imminently.

Born in Essex, Levy is geographically closer to West Ham than Tottenham, but his loyalties have always been firmly rooted in Spurs.

For now, Levy’s future remains speculative. Should ENIC, Tottenham’s majority owner, explore new investment opportunities, Levy’s shares may eventually become part of a broader reshuffle.

Since West Ham’s successful ‘hijack’ of Kyle Walker Peters who was about to sign for Besiktas before a last minute wobble saw him commit to Graham Potter’s side, ‘hijackings’ have been something of a buzzword in the transfer dictionary repertoire of fan sites and media outlets. Every day there are ‘hijackings’ reported as clubs now scrap over the diminishing talent pool like a pack of hungry dogs intent on grabbing the last morsels of dinner.

But occasionally the news serves as a relief – West Ham appear very much a club in crisis, desperate for midfield upgrades and linked with everyone from 20 year old Congolese Mukau up to talent most definitely the wrong side of thirty – heading back to the club’s bad old ways of buying past – it players with no residual value and high wages.

That way further financial frailty lies.

Which is why it is something of a relief to see Spurs linked with a ‘hijack’ for West Ham midfield target, Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini. Football-talk.co.uk reports this morning that:

“Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a move to hijack West Ham United’s deal to sign Lorenzo Pellegrini, as per Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport….West Ham have been in contact to sign the experienced player since the start of this month and are planning to step up efforts to seal the deal. However, Tottenham have held talks to hijack the Hammers’ deal”

At twenty nine plus, Pellegrini is hardly the brave new world of player promised by Graham Potter. Yes talented, but as far as youthful, pacy or being a player whose stock and value is on on the rise- forget it. At the end of a three year contract the by-then 32 year old would simply be another high-earning millstone without resale value.

Better Spurs spend their cash on him whilst the Hammers – reportedly – focus on young, up and coming players who will actually add something over the current midfield incumbents of Alvarez, Soucek, Rodriguez and Ward Prowse.

West Ham fans won’t need reminding of the recent cringeworthy Mohammed Kudus medical. As the doctor conducted a faux physical inspection for Tottenham’s media team, he pressed his stethoscope against the Ghanaian’s heart, prompting Kudus to quip: “If you look, you’ll find Tottenham in there.” Crikey mate, pass the bucket.

But it now seems the former Ajax man’s heart wasn’t always beating for Spurs. It’s been revealed that Kudus actually wanted to swap West Ham for Chelsea.

According to The Sun, the Blues made a cheeky player-plus-cash offer earlier this summer. Their bid? A lowball £20m plus Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall — rated at £30m by Stamford Bridge chiefs before moving to Everton for £5m less. Unsurprisingly, West Ham weren’t interested.

What makes it more awkward is that Kudus was reportedly very keen on the move to Stamford Bridge and had his heart (the same one that presumably beats for Tottenham) set on a switch to west London.

Did West Ham dodge a transfer bullet?

Having seen Dewsbury-Hall in action for Everton against Leeds United last night, I’m not convinced he was much of a miss. Chelsea ended up signing Jamie Gittens instead of the Starboy — and the rest is history.

Kudus, meanwhile, left West Ham for Spurs of all clubs, with Daniel Levy eventually lowballing David Sullivan into a £55m deal. The move still leaves a bitter taste in my morning bowl of Frosties.

The Ghanaian has already made an instant impact for Tottenham, registering two assists on his Premier League debut in a 3-0 win over Burnley. Brentford boss Thomas Frank has already branded him “top class.”

Indeed, the former Ajax man is a fine player and if you look inside his heart you’ll find Tottenham . . . an evidently a few others too.

After the Mohammed Kudus negotiations you’d think that West Ham’s boss David Sullivan and Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy would like nothing to do with each other for at least another 15 years: Hence the surprise to find a report published tonight suggesting the very opposite, as West Ham are apparently ‘considering a shock move’ for one of Tottenham’s more established players who is approaching the last twelve months of his contract and therefore, quite possibly, available at a decent price.

sportwitness.co.uk’s article confirms that Tottenham’s Mali international Yves Bissouma is the player of interest to West Ham:

“West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur have been involved in one deal so far this summer as Mohammed Kudus joined Thomas Frank’s side in a big money move….There’s now the possibility of the two clubs being involved in another transfer. Gazzetta dello Sport report the player in question is Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma.”

Juventus had apparently been in the mix for Bissouma, which is the reason for the Italian Press interest. “Over the past couple of weeks, the Italian press have reported Bissouma is valued at around €15m to €20m by Tottenham, who are open to a sale.” continues their report.

Bissouma of course moved from Brighton in June 2022 and so worked under Graham Potter. Nevertheless, it does seem a nonsensical story to me, Alvarez and Potts between them are more than capable defensive midfielders – and with Soucek, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse still on the books, do West Ham have space for yet another until they’ve managed to offload players?

You’d think not.

West Ham Exclusive: Kudus Transfer Request Forced Spurs Move  West Ham News: C&H

Talk of West Ham attempting to charge Tottenham Hotspur a so-called “Spurs tax” over the sale of Mohammed Kudus is completely laughable.

Not that I’d disagree with the concept, you understand—after all, it was Spurs who once let it be known that they’d no longer do transfer business with West Ham.

So, if the Hammers hierarchy decided to respond with a tit-for-tat ‘Tottenham tax’, I’d completely understand it. In fact, I’d defend the club’s right to charge them more. But let’s be clear—that’s not what’s happening here.

Despite various reports, including one from TalkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, suggesting a conspiracy is afoot, I don’t believe it for a second.

The theory goes that, due to historic tension and London rivalry between the clubs, West Ham are demanding more from Spurs for Kudus than they would from any other buyer.

It’s nonsense.

Kudus has an £85 million buyout clause—that’s his actual price to everyone any club is welcome to activate it. However, it’s widely accepted that West Ham would settle for a £65 million offer.

Tottenham’s problem isn’t a mysterious surcharge—it’s the fact that they’ve offered nothing close to what West Ham are asking. Yet rather than pay the going rate Spurs would seemingly rather imagine there is some pricing conspiracy against them.

Personally, I’d rather West Ham walk away and either keep Kudus or sell him to Chelsea. The fact Spurs are now briefing the media and playing the victim, simply because they can’t sign someone else’s player for the price they’d prefer, is ridiculous.

The Kudus transfer should be one of the easiest of the summer: the player wants to leave, there’s a clause in place, and the fee is well known. Simple!

The only issue? Daniel Levy just doesn’t want to pay the price.