EPL News: Avram Grant promises new faces at West Ham; Martin O’Neill expects many clubs to sign Villa’s Ashley Young
Avram Grant, the manager for the Premier League club West Ham United, has assured club supporters that there will be many new faces with The Hammers in time for the new season. The 19th Premier League season is set to start in less than three weeks, but the manager is hopeful that many new faces would join the Premier League club before that time.
The Hammers have been linked with some truly big names this season, but have failed to land any big name player yet. Only Pablo Barrera, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Frederic Piquionne are the current three signings of the club, and many supporters expect at least a few high profile players at Upton Park. They have been pretty impressive so far in their pre-season, securing two straight wins. They won 2-0 against Borussia Monchengladbach and later won 1-0 against Panathinaikos, making it 2 from 2. The manager praised his squad, claiming that it was a very good week. Grant praised the players, admitting that the players’ hard work paid off, and they showed an incredibly positive attitude. The Hammers’ manager stated that although there was some high intensity training, the players did extremely well and didn’t falter. The training was not easy, and the players did extremely well, and he was therefore proud of his team’s performance.
The manager admitted that the players reached all the targets which were set before the game. Avram added that the players had to work double time, as they had to first adjust to the new system he introduced, and then improve their fitness and form in time for the new season. Grant stated that luckily everything went according to plan. Grant explained that he aims to create a good structure and system at the club, which can improve the team as a whole over the year. The manager confessed that the club doesn’t possess the cash flow that the top four or top seven possess, but look to perhaps break into them in the coming years. Grant added that the squad is not complete, and he wants to strengthen his squad more. Avram stated that even though the club is under debt, he may still get the players he wants, and appreciated the club’s cooperation on the matter. Grant was aware of the fact that he may well have to sign the players on loan due to shortage of working capital.
In other news, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill expects England International Ashley Young to stay at Villa Park, but confessed that he may find it hard, as he expects many clubs to come knocking on his door for the player’s signature.
Martin O'Neill has had a hard summer, owing to James Milner confirming that he doesn’t wish to stay at his current club. High spending Manchester City have been strongly linked for signing the star, who was one of the few impressive players in England’s humiliating 2010 World Cup campaign. Milner was awarded PFA Young Player of the Year this season, and was phenomenal in Aston Villa’s sixth place finish in the league. O’Neill is willing to sell Milner at the proper price tag; City have already offered 30 million pounds for the midfielder. No agreement has been made as yet regarding the matter, but hopefully, the matter is to be resolved in the coming week.
Just like Milner, Young also had a good season at Aston Villa. Young has been strongly linked with a move to North London, with Tottenham Hotspur aiming to get the signature of the winger. O’Neill anticipates a lot of interest for Ashley in the coming weeks.
The manager added that Young’s form was sensational last season, and was as good as previous season’s. Martin rated the winger to be of a different class, but claimed that his first aim is to make the players stay at the club. O’Neill added that he hoped his key players stayed, but if that was not the case, he would want to get the most out of his players in terms of transfer fee, and get the right price.
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