Pundit urges £70m PL star to join West Ham over Tottenham this summer

Pundit urges £70m PL star to join West Ham over Tottenham this summer

Shaka Hislop believes that Harry Maguire would be better off joining West Ham over Tottenham Hotspur this summer, insisting that the Hammers fans will be much more supportive of the centre-back.

Hislop was speaking on ESPN following reports that Manchester United and Harry Maguire have agreed that he can leave the club this summer.

Hislop urges Maguire to join West Ham over Tottenham
Maguire has come in for a lot of criticism and ridicule during his time at Old Trafford. So there is likely to be a lot of attention on him wherever he goes next.

And Hislop believes that he would be much better off moving to the London Stadium over Spurs if he is given the choice over the coming months.

I understand if Harry Maguire wants to go to Spurs, I do. I don’t think it’s the right move, I don’t think it’s the right fit. I think there’s certainly right now an unrealistic sense of expectation about who they are from Spurs fans,” he told ESPN.

“As a former West Ham player, I’d have him at West Ham. West Ham fans are more understanding of your ups and downs if you just keep showing up. And I think that’s what Harry Maguire needs right now – a good run in the team, a fanbase that will accept some of the dips as long as you continue to keep showing up and continue to get better. That’s who West Ham are. I’m not sure that Spurs fans are at all like that.”

You definitely get the feeling that Maguire’s next move is absolutely crucial for his career at the highest level. He is no longer a youngster with a lot of room for improvement.

If his next move works out well, this could be the final marquee contract of his career. So he will be desperate to ensure that he finds the right club for him.

Tottenham fans will take exception with Hislop’s claim. They have been incredibly patient down the years. And you would like to think that many of the supporters will be prepared to take a step backwards to take many forward in the future under Ange Postecoglou.

But when it comes to Maguire, even their supporters may be hoping that the Manchester United star views them the same way Hislop does.

READ NEXT..

West Ham United v Fiorentina: Talking points for final

West Ham face Italian side Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League, looking to end a trophy drought stretching back to 1980.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the talking points ahead of the Hammers’ big night in Prague.

Declan’s destiny?

It is no secret that Declan Rice will leave West Ham this summer, but he is hell bent on signing off in style.

The England midfielder is destined for bigger things with Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich the frontrunners for his signature.

But first, Rice is desperate to emulate Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds by becoming only the third West Ham captain to lift a trophy – and the first in 43 years – and in doing so write his name into Hammers folklore.

Moyes’ future?

Similarly to his captain, David Moyes could become only the third West Ham manager to guide them to silverware, following in the fabled footsteps of Ron Greenwood and John Lyall.

There is a growing narrative that were he to achieve it the Scot, who turned 60 this year, could be forgiven for deciding to leave the club on a high, especially given their struggles in the Premier League this season which at times, he admitted, left him close to the sack.

Keeper quandary

Moyes is set to start with cup goalkeeper Alphonse Areola despite Lukasz Fabianski being the club’s number one. But if the match goes to penalties Moyes will have a big decision to make.

Fabianski has an excellent spot-kick record – he has saved 11 in the Premier League alone. Areola, by contrast, dived the wrong way for eight consecutive penalties when West Ham lost an FA Cup shoot-out to Blackburn in November.

If the final goes the distance Fabianski could be summoned from the bench and have a big part to play in this competition after all.

Czech mates

Full-back Vladimir Coufal and midfielder Tomas Soucek have had their sights set on reaching the final ever since the venue was confirmed; the Fortuna Arena is the home of their former club, Slavia Prague.

Coufal has even promised to treat his team-mates to a famous Czech beer or two if they go on and lift the trophy.

Fiorentina form

West Ham remain the bookmakers’ favourites to win the tournament, but only just following Fiorentina’s storming end to the domestic season.

Vincenzo Italiano’s side have won eight, drawn four and lost just two matches since March, securing an eighth-placed finish in Serie A.

Their attacking style should suit Moyes’ counter-attacking tactics, but while West Ham have enjoyed a very agreeable draw on their journey to Prague, this promises to be tough.

Mark Noble brilliantly interviewed by boozing West Ham fan while out for run in Prague

WARNING, FOUL LANGUAGE: West Ham playing legend turned sporting director happily chatted with a boozing Hammers supporter on the eve of the Europa League final against Fiorentina in Prague

Mark Noble and Aaron Cresswell as the West Ham party boarded their plane to Prague (Image: Andrew Fosker/REX/Shutterstock)

Mark Noble was accosted by a boozing West Ham fan while out for a run in Prague ahead of the Europa Conference League final.

The Hammers are set for one of the biggest games in their entire history as they take on Italian side Fiorentina on Wednesday night. Victory for the Hammers would more than make up for a sub-standard Premier League campaign, and clinch a place in the UEFA’s second club competition, the Europa League, next season.

With the stadium in Prague having a paltry capacity of just 20,000, tickets are few and far between, but that hasn’t stopped tens of thousands of fans from travelling over to sample the atmosphere and enjoy some legendary Czech beer.

They include Matt Groombridge who, while enjoying a beer on the eve of the game, spotted Hammers legend Noble, now the club’s sporting director, who was out jogging.

Not content with shouting ‘hello’, Groombridge decided to join Noble on his run while holding a can of beer.

How do you doing Mark, alright, mate?,” asks a slightly-panting Groombridge. Noble replies: “F****** sweet.” The former midfielder then asks about his choice of beer, with Groombridge confirming it is a “pilsner”.

What’s your prediction for Europa Conference League final? Tell us in the comments section below

“Are we going to win tomorrow?,” he then asks. Noble replies: “I hope so.” The pair then wish each other well before going their separate ways.

The clip went down a storm with Hammers fans, with one tweeting: “Absolutely class mate.” Another said: “You legend.”

A third laughed: “Quality hahahahhaha.” Meanwhile, a fourth joked: “Good to see you’ve nailed this jogging lark Matt… who’s that slacker with you?”

The Hammers were disappointingly given just 5,000 tickets for the game, with demand far outstripping supply. Around 25,000 ticketless fans are expected in Prague for what they hope will be the club’s first major silverware in decades.

Moyes, Soucek & Bowen: pre match press conference

By Staff Writer Tuesday, 6th June 2023

David Moyes, Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen have been addressing the media on the eve of West Ham United’s biggest game since the 2006 FA Cup Final.

The Hammers face Fiorentina in the Conference League Final in Prague on Wednesday evening and the duo were placed on media duties alongside manager Moyes.

You may listen to the thoughts of all three by clikcing on the respective ‘play’ buttons in the videos below

Meanwhile, the West Ham network have spoken to a number of former players for their thoughts ahead of Wednesday’s showpiece final – you may listen to those below, plus watch West Ham’s final full training session ahead of the game.

READ NEXT…

West Ham players make David Moyes look bad by raving about ‘magician’ who’s made just 2 Premier League starts this season

West Ham players make David Moyes look bad by raving about ‘magician’ who’s made just two Premier League starts this season.

David Moyes has been criticised for his poor man management of certain West Ham players this summer.

The Hammers boss clearly has his favourites, whilst others have struggled for minutes all season long.

One of those players is Manuel Lanzini. The Argentinian, 30, has made only two Premier League starts this season, whilst playing a total of just 246 minutes in the league (Who Scored).

His lack of action this season in the Premier League baffled me at times, and judging by some of the West Ham players’ comments, Moyes should have played him more…

West Ham players rave about star David Moyes has left out in the cold

The Hammers players took part in a Q&A session with UEFA, and left no doubts as to how they feel about Lanzini.

Jarrod Bowen labelled him as a ‘magician’, Said Benrahma and Aaron Cresswell called him a ‘diamond’ and Tomas Soucek described him as the ‘Argentinian special one’:

It’s clear to see just how highly rated Manuel Lanzini is at West Ham amongst his peers, it’s just a shame that David Moyes doesn’t share the same level of admiration.

Lanzini is out of contract at the London Stadium this summer, although the Hammers do have the option to extend that deal by a further two years.

After David Moyes barely used him for West Ham this season though, it’s highly unlikely than Manu will remain at the club beyond the end of the summer transfer window as far as I’m concerned.