Sources close to Gokhan Tore have told the Turkish Football Association that the 24 year old has passed his West Ham medical and is expected to sign a one year loan deal with West Ham United later today (friday july 8th). The deal incorporates the option to sign Tore on a full time basis when the loan expires, and is the result of a massive amount of effort by West Ham to get Slaven Billic his man. The former Chelsea player Tore excelled at Besiktas under the guidance of Bilic and has actually played longer under his managership, two seasons, than any other current West Ham player, he provided nine assists and scored six goals in 35 appearances for Besiktas in all competitions last season, and his arrival is seen as a positive step given the fact that West Ham had a bid for Tore rejected last month according to various media outlets.
This has been a long and protracted deal to say the least, but it is good for all parties, particularly for West Ham United who get to run the rule over the player without having to commit to a large initial expenditure, this move should also see Hammers well catered for on the wing, it bloody should do! - Ed
Comments
he's a cannonball
For me the 9 assists mean more than the 6 goals. Think he is a good addition to the club, but the total fee to sign outright is ridiculous, and we have greater need in other areas. I don't much like the rumours I've heard about Antonio being converted to right back. If Antonio is too good to leave out of the side (and he is), then sign a decent right back to support him. Anyone heard any news about Byram? He simply never came back from "injury" and that gives me pause.
Surely it's cheaper to buy a
Surely it's cheaper to buy a right back? Which makes my wonder if I'm the only one that thinks we may not play a back four this season. I'd go for a back three of Reid, ogbonna, and kouyate, with cresswell and Antonio at wing backs. Nordveld (whatever he's called) at def mid. Feghouli, Payet, noble and tore in mid and new striker upfront. With Lanzini alternating games with tore, feghouli and Payet.
On a different subject. We are linked with a young lad from Walsall called Rico Henry. Think he is only about 19. Left back would be back up for cresswell, take a look at YouTube, (yes I know they can be deceptive but he is 19!) how on earth has this guy gone under the radar! Looks top notch to me beats players for fun and reads the game well for his age! Not the total player yet but surely a must for us.
That's a starting 12 if ever I saw one!
But seriously the idea of a back 3 plus holding midfielder is not a bad one given the abilities of Cresswell and Antonio. Don't forget Obiang in the holding role. I think we are going to have a really dynamic team.
Rico Henry looks good. Add him to our U20s side and they will tear up the league.
Putting a back three with
Putting a back three with Antonio and cresswell as wing backs and a proper dm works and doesn't leave us short at the back. If we play 2 centre backs and cresswell and Antonio as full backs without a proper dm like last season we are effectively playing with a back 2! We will get ripped apart when teams break quickly like Bournemouth and Leicester did last season. 3 centre halves and a proper dm would stop this without taking away our attacking intent, with all the other players being mainly attack minded.
Exactly..
Seems a good idea to me. Let's see how Super Slav sets things up.
Of course we could be relying
Of course we could be relying on byram, Burke AND Antonio to fill in. It might be realistic for Burke to get a few games at right back to bridge his transitition to the first team.