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West Ham United extended their 100% record in the Europa League with another 2-0 victory on Thursday night.

David Moyes’ side top Group H after two matches, having defeated Austrian outfi, Rapid Wien at the London Stadium.

A rare Declan Rice goal opened the scoring for the Irons after he ghosted into the penalty box to score a tap-in just before the half-hour mark before Said Benrahma ensured all three points with a nicely-timed finish in injury time.

The England international clinched the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his dominating midfield display but there were some names that deserved just as much credit.

One of which was Aaron Cresswell, who was a constant threat bombing down that left flank and in the absence of the injured Vladimir Coufal on the other side, it was certainly needed.

The 31-year-old, who is thought to earn around £50k-per-week in east London, played a huge role as he registered more touches (96) than any other Hammers player. In fact, he saw the ball 20 more times than the next best, Ben Johnson (76).

That only goes to show just how crucial the veteran is to this side as it’s clear that many of West Ham’s play runs through him in some form.

He also contributed a match-high three key passes and four successful crosses, once again proving to be a major creative influence, having ended last season as their leading assist-maker (eight) in the Premier League.

But he wasn’t just a big influence in the final third. After all, he’s a defender by trade.

As per SofaScore, the 5 foot 7 dynamo won 100% of his aerial battles, put in two tackles and made one interception to help thwart the visiting Austrians, who recorded a total of ten shots on the day, just four fewer than the Irons.

Both football.london and the Evening Standard noted how Rice stole the show for Moyes and co, but Cresswell’s display didn’t go completely unnoticed as the former wrote:

“Superb set-piece delivery from the left-back and was unfortunate not to have at least one assist. Did his defensive duties with aplomb.”

On the above evidence, the English defender deserves his fair share of plaudits as he put in another impressive outing under Moyes. He was the Irons’ unsung hero on the night.

AND in other news, Moyes could find West Ham’s ideal Rice successor in £22.5m-rated “outstanding talent”…

Former footballer David Norris believes that Arsenal’s transfer window was “ridiculous”, due to their immense spending.

The Gunners attempted to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad in the summer but have recruited a number of players with potential, rather than who are the finished article.

They ended the window with a spend of over £149m, according to Transfermarkt, having secured Ben White from Brighton & Hove Albion, Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid, Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United, Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna, Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht and Nuno Tavares from Benfica.

Norris does not believe the club have spent the money well at all, and that may well be reflected in their results at the start of the season.

They currently sit rock-bottom of the Premier League after 2-0 defeats to both Brentford and Chelsea, and then being thumped 5-0 by Manchester City last weekend, rooting them into 20th place.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Norris said: “Crazy, ridiculous. Squad players or players with real potential. They are good players but they’ve spent marquee money on squad players.

“The keeper coming in, the centre-half, but it’s 50 or 60 million on these, who might need a little bit of time to come in. They’re not proven players who have been there and done it where you go, ‘right, they’ll come in, they’ll make us better’.

“It’s crazy money for what they need and for the money on what I would say is developing players rather than players who have been there and done it.

“It’s ridiculous, 100 million on two or three players that are not classed as marquee players is crazy.”

According to Calciomercato, West Ham United could now agree fresh terms for yet another player as they share a development involving Angelo Ogbonna.

The Lowdown: West Ham in contract spree?

The Irons have been linked to offering new deals for a plethora of first team stars recently.

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Indeed, according to club insider Claret & Hugh, fresh contracts are in the pipeline at West Ham with talks continuing over a new deal for defender Vladimir Coufal.

They could also offer fresh terms for Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice, and according to a fresh report, manager David Moyes and GSB may not be done there.

The Latest: West Ham could now agree Ogbonna deal…

According to Calciomercato, defender Ogbonna has become the latest West Ham man at the centre of a potential new contract at the London Stadium.

The Italian’s current contract expires in 2022 and is free to leave on a free transfer next year as it stands, it is explained that the 33-year-old now ‘deals with the extension’.

While the report doesn’t go into much more detail than that, it appears West Ham aren’t quite resigned to losing him just yet.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Lauded as ‘phenomenal’ by James Collins for his performances last season, we believe the Irons should certainly tie him down despite his age.

A one-year extension could certainly suffice, giving West Ham time to find a suitable replacement for Ogbonna whilst also potentially allowing them to sell for a fee before then, with Kurt Zouma gradually stepping into his shoes over the next year or so.

In other news: ‘No brainer’ – Sky pundit reacts as West Ham eye ‘massive signing for Moyes’, find out more here.

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge says it’s unlikely that Tottenham will make a move for Anthony Martial, but reckons that Manchester United would be interested in selling.

Following some impressive attacking additions in recent years, Jadon Sancho being the most recent this summer, the Frenchman would appear to be slowly slipping down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

The signing of Sancho, though, comes after Martial struggled massively last season, scoring just seven goals in 36 games in all competitions, and only four in the Premier League.

According to the Daily Star, Nuno Espirito Santo is keen on bringing Martial, who cost United £36m when he joined from Monaco six years ago, to north London to bolster his attacking options.

Spurs have already lost Gareth Bale and Erik Lamela, whilst Harry Kane could also be on his way out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the window closes.

Martial can play on the left or through the middle, having done both on several occasions during his United career.

However, Bridge told The Transfer Tavern that he doesn’t expect Tottenham to pursue a deal for the 25-year-old:

“Looking at it now, I’ve not heard that at all. I think United would entertain it, but would we have to sell before that? I can’t see that one personally.

Former Everton star Michael Ball insists that the club may only be able to sign midfielder Denis Zakaria if other big clubs decide against making a bid.

The club have been linked with an interest in the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder in this transfer window.

Gladbach were reportedly demanding over £40m for him last summer but they are said to have slashed that asking price this summer, to around £17m.

Everton are not the only Premier League club credited with an interest, as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be considering bids.

Zakaria has been with Gladbach since 2017 and has made a total of 128 appearances for the club, while also winning 34 caps for Switzerland.

Ball believes Zakaria would be a fine signing for Everton but he insists that they will only be able to get a deal done if both Spurs and Arsenal refuse to follow up their interest.

Indeed, the club have only signed Demarai Gray for a fee this summer, at just under £2m, while they have also snapped up Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic on free transfers.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Ball said: “I think with Everton’s situation right now, I think they played their hand pretty early on in the transfer window with financial fair play.

“I think the majority of clubs know Everton’s financial restraints at this moment in time. Maybe Everton have to sit and wait to see if other clubs press the button on him or not, and whether they can get him for a cut-down price.”

All Leeds TV star Joe Wainman has hailed boss Marcelo Bielsa and director of football Victor Orta after the club plucked promising teenager Lewis Bate from Chelsea.

The midfielder has joined Leeds United for £1.5million ahead of the new season getting underway.

Bate, 18, has penned a three-year contract having been on Chelsea’s books for a decade and captained the Blues in the 2020 FA Youth Cup final.

Premier League rivals West Ham United, Liverpool, Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion were also looking to secure the talented youngster’s services after it became clear Bate was interested in a new challenge away from Stamford Bridge, but Elland Road proved to be his preferred destination.

Bate made 26 appearances at youth level last term, winning the Premier League 2 player of the month gong for December in the process, and was also named on the bench for the first-team’s FA Cup win at Barnsley in February.

Despite the lack of previous first-team opportunities in his career, Wainman believes Bate’s arrival should be seen as a coup for Leeds.

He told Football FanCast: “This kid is rated one of the best midfielders for his age group.

“I think he won the Premier League 2 player of the month for December and I know a lot of Chelsea fans were not happy that he was moving on. That’s always a good thing because the rivalry between Leeds and Chelsea is pretty healthy.

“For us to nick one of their better youth prospects is a massive plus. I can’t wait to see how he develops under Bielsa and at the club.”

Sheffield United have agreed a deal to bring Ronaldo Vieira to Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that, following intense negotiations with Sampdoria, the Blades have finally agreed a deal with the Serie A side regarding the 23-year-old.

It is reported that the midfielder will move to the Championship club on a season-long loan, with a view to making the move a permanent switch at the end of the season.

The report goes on to state that Sampdoria are happy to sanction the departure of the 23-year-old in the summer transfer window, as the former England U21 international has fallen down the pecking order at the Italian club.

Jokanovic will be buzzing

With the departure of John Lundstram having left Sheffield United short of options in the middle of the park ahead of the new Championship season – with Slavisa Jokanovic currently having only Sander Berge, John Fleck and Oliver Norwood in his first-team squad capable of operating in the centre of midfield – the news that the club have finally managed to bring in a new face in the position is sure to have left the 52-year-old buzzing.

And, while Vieira has not exactly enjoyed the best of times since moving to Sampdoria in what was a £6.39m deal back in 2018, the 23-year-old demonstrated during his time with Leeds United that he is more than capable of doing a job in the Championship.

Indeed, his best season for the Whites arguably came back in 2016/17, when, over his 34 Championship appearances, the £4.5m-rated defensively-minded midfielder made an average of one interception, 2.1 tackles, 1.2 clearances and won 4.4 duels per game.

These returns saw the man Ian Holloway dubbed “different class” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.78, ranking him as the club’s joint 11th-best performer in the second tier of English football that year.

As such, should United indeed manage to get a deal over the line for the £22k-per-week man this summer, and the England youth international goes on to replicate this form in the club’s upcoming Championship campaign, he could well go on to play a key role in helping secure United an immediate return to the Premier League come next May.

In other news: Jokanovic could be heading for grave Sheff Utd error over “fantastic” £900k-rated gem

Southampton had no chance of signing new Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, the club’s former midfielder Carlton Palmer has told The Transfer Tavern.

Guehi recently joined Palace in an £18m deal from Chelsea following a couple of successful loan stints with Swansea City in the Championship.

However, according to The Athletic, Southampton were one of many suitors who were keen on the 21-year-old as they look to strengthen their backline this summer.

At £18m, though, Palmer feels his old side were never really in the running to sign Guehi. When asked by TT if St. Mary’s was a realistic destination, the former Saints star said:

“Not a chance, not really. When your budget is £10m, you’re not in the hunt, are you? It’s a difficult one, but when you’re a manager, you know what your budget is, you know what your capabilities are. 

“The manager has to be creative with loan players, get good young players in and give them the opportunity.”

Guehi looks like he could have been a good addition to Southampton. Last season, the England U21 international won 3.3 aerial duels per league game (via WhoScored), more than any player in the Saints’ squad bar Jannik Vestergaard (also 3.3).

However, with Ralph Hasenhuttl stating that the south coast club are indeed looking at players who will cost £10m or less, a deal always seemed unlikely.

Marcus Bent believes that Crystal Palace is Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ sort of level.

The 23-year-old, who can play at full-back or in midfield, came through the ranks at Arsenal and won the FA Cup with the club in 2019-2020.

But Maitland-Niles’ opportunities were limited before Christmas last season, which led to him going out on loan to West Brom.

He impressed during his short spell at the Hawthorns, starting all but three of their Premier League matches following his arrival, although he couldn’t stop the Baggies from slipping into the Championship.

Maitland-Niles still has two years left on his deal in north London, but according to Football.London, Palace are watching him closely, with regular football far more likely at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners academy graduate played in midfield for his entire spell with West Brom, a position he isn’t likely to be given the opportunity in at Arsenal, and Bent reckons that signing for his former side would be a great step for him:

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I think that’s his level, whether they sign him or take him on loan. It will be amazing for Palace to sign him, he’s still in London, and they play quick, attacking football.”

Southampton have been linked with FC Copenhagen man Viktor Nelsson recently and the centre-back could prove to the ideal heir to Jannik Vestergaard in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

What’s the word?

According to Copa 90’s @Wheddsta (via Saints Extra), Southampton are considering a bid for the 22-year-old defender, although Crystal Palace are currently in pole position to sign him, whilst Burnley are also credited with an interest.

He suggests that a deal with Palace was close to being a done deal but Southampton are considering paying more than the Eagles have offered, which has put the transfer on hold for now.

Southampton’s Vestergaard heir?

Despite being so young for a centre-back, Nelsson has already made 181 appearances in the Danish top-flight with Copenhagen and FC Nordsjaelland in his career, whilst he also has experience playing in the Europa League.

Whilst he predominantly plays as a centre-back, he has also featured as a defensive midfielder on 15 occasions in his career thus far, which suggests that he has the sort of versatility that Hasenhuttl would appreciate, as well as likely having the ball-playing ability to cut it as a centre-back in the Premier League.

The £3.15m-rated youngster is also a regular for the Denmark U21s with 35 caps to his name thus far, which suggests that it might not be long until he is playing alongside Vestergaard for Kasper Hjulmand’s side.

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Given that the 28-year-old centre-back is looking more and more likely to leave St Mary’s this summer, with Roma the latest side to show a serious interest in him ahead of his contract expiring at the end of next season, Nelsson could perhaps be brought in as the ideal long-term replacement.

Although he lacks experience outside of Denmark, he has plenty of time to adapt to the demands of playing in the top-flight and could provide cover for the likes of Mohammed Salisu and Jack Stephens alongside Jan Bednarek next season, before establishing himself as a regular in the future.

Therefore, there seems little reason why he couldn’t be the ideal man to replace Vestergaard should he depart this summer.

And, in other news… Southampton handed big boost with “fantastic” £27m-rated beast, Hasenhuttl will be relieved