Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
All the talk about AZ Alkmaar’s academy in the build-up to this game, but West Ham have got a few of their kids involved on the bench, too.
Mind you, I’d be surprised if we see any of Divin Mubama, given he played 120 minutes for the U18s last night…
Bowen with extra motivation
Jarrod Bowen has revealed that Danny Dyer is on his case to deliver European glory for West Ham — and says he is ready to do so after shedding the “fear factor” that impacted his form in the first half of the season.
Bowen’s partner is Love Island star Dani Dyer, daughter of the EastEnders actor and famous West Ham fan, and the family tie is providing extra incentive ahead of tonight’s Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against AZ Alkmaar.
“I’ve only been here three years, but I feel a massive part of this club,” said Bowen, who joined from Hull in January 2020. “I feel like a fan almost. I know how much it means to the fans and I want to give them that success.
“The missus’s old man is on me every week. But for everyone, it’s not been a great season, but staying in the Premier League is the main aim and bringing the trophy home for the fans would be a good end to a bad season.”
Malik Ouzia at the London Stadium
A bit of silly buggers from David Moyes around Kurt Zouma’s availability then.
The Scot said yesterday there was a “good chance” today would come too soon for the Frenchman, so naturally he’s back in the starting lineup after that ankle problem.
AZ Alkmaar team news
AZ Alkmaar XI: Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos, De Wit, Clasie, Reijnders, Mijnans, Van Brederode, Odgaard, Pavlidis
Subs: Verhulst, Deen, Mihailovic, Barasi, Lahdo, Bazoer, Vanheusden, Buurmeester, Meerdink, Goes
West Ham team news
West Ham XI: Areola; Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio
Subs: Fabianski, Anang, Johnson, Fornals, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ings, Emerson, Potts, Mubama
Summer battle for Rice…
West Ham remain determined to play hardball in securing a British record transfer fee for Declan Rice, despite acceptance that this summer is their final chance to cash in on the midfielder.
The Hammers have put a price-tag of around £120million on their captain, who has turned down several offers of a lucrative new contract and stated his desire to play Champions League football.
That would comfortably surpass the £106.8m fee Chelsea paid to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January, with the Blues still holding interest in their former academy player, though Arsenal have emerged as strong favourites.
Moyes: This would be my greatest achievement
David Moyes says reaching a European final would be his biggest achievement as a manager as West Ham prepare to face AZ Alkmaar tomorrow.
The Irons take on the Dutch side in the first-leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final at the London Stadium, looking to reach a first European final since 1976, with the return to follow in the Netherlands next week.
Moyes has enjoyed numerous highlights during his 25-year managerial career, taking Everton into the Champions League and an FA Cup final, as well as reaching last year’s Europa League semi-final with West Ham, but is yet to lift a major trophy.
However, the 60-year-old cited the example of Jose Mourinho, who won last year’s inaugural Conference League with Roma, as evidence of the competition’s value.
“To get to a European final, it could be my best [achievement],” he said. “In the past I’ve got to a Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United, lost on penalties in the quarter-final of the Europa League with Everton and last year we reached a semi-final here at West Ham.
“I want to try and take it a couple of steps further, and I would refer back to the serial winner Jose Mourinho – who found winning this trophy so special for him and his football club.”
Better start needed
This time a year ago it was the Europa League semi-finals for West Ham, as they came up against eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
In the first leg they conceded inside a minute at the London Stadium, and in the second leg they had Aaron Cresswell sent off relatively early on.
Moyes might want to remind his side not to ruin things for themselves in the opening stages…
