DAVID MOYES has created a tight-knit group at West Ham — which is one reason for the team’s impressive results, including qualifying for this season’s Europa League.
But the £125,000 a week being banked by new arrival Kurt Zouma, 26, from Chelsea has not gone down particularly well with other players.
Zouma made the move across London and joined West Ham in the final days of last month’s transfer window.
A thrilled Moyes said: “I am delighted to welcome Kurt to West Ham United.
“He is a player we have tracked for some time, and we have taken great care and diligence to make the transfer happen.
“He was always our first choice and I am very happy that he is now our player.
“Kurt will join a squad full of players who are hungry and ambitious. He will provide competition to our squad.
“He is a strong, powerful player with great experience in the Premier League while he is also at a good age for a centre-back.
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“Kurt has enjoyed great success at Chelsea and I can see that he is determined to continue being successful here at the London Stadium.
“Myself, the coaching staff and players are all looking forward to working with him and we wish him all the very best in his career with us.”
SOME FANS ARE STILL BLOCKHEADS
THERE was a terrific atmosphere at Wembley as England attracted a crowd of 67,171 for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Sunday.
Thankfully, there as no repeat of the carnage from the Euro 2020 final against Italy, which could see the FA hit with a ban.
Yet some supporters still failed to engage their brains before the 4-0 win.
Fans with tickets for different areas gravitated towards the so-called Home End, which is mostly populated by members of the England Supporters Travel Club behind the goal.
One of the regulars in Block 109 told SunSport: “As kick-off neared, large groups of fans poured into the block. A lot went to the front — the front two rows were massively overcrowded.
“They stood on the stairs and forced their way into rows of seats.
“Several arguments broke out among fans as people forced their way into rows of seats.
“As the half went on, stewards started to check tickets and move people out. By half-time it was a lot calmer.”
Even from the media zone, the area looked rammed in the first half. It was reassuring that about 30 stewards dealt with the problem and it was not reported as a serious incident to the FA or Fifa.
But it would really help if fans — and those who were clearly not England regulars — sat in the right seats in the first place.
LEG-END OF AN ERA FOR SPURS
SPURS legends are angry after the club cut back on using their services at home games.
And some punters in the posh seats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium aren’t happy either — because they won’t be seeing some familiar faces as often.
Spurs have been renowned for their close links with ex-players and employ a group of just under 20 to appear in the hospitality areas on home match days.
But under new arrangements for this season, most of the legends will be used for about one in four games.
Only Gary Mabbutt and Ossie Ardiles are due to be at every game. It will hit them in the pocket, with the club paying about £600 per appearance.
Spurs declined to comment but these latest changes follow the decision to let stadium announcer Paul Coyte leave after 16 years.
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FINAL THOUGHTS
FEW teams spent plenty in the summer.
It seems one owner has lent his club a few quid — but is charging an extortionate interest rate.
It is not the first time this has happened in English football and it only ends in tears.
