The Rugby World Cup is well underway and although we’re obviously obsessed with the beautiful game here at Football Fancast, we’ve certainly got some time for it’s oblong cousin too.

And no doubt, the tournament in England has already produced some rather incredible moments, not least including Japan’s historic victor over 2007 winners South Africa courtesy of a last-minute try and Wales’ stunning comeback against England last Saturday night despite a plethora of their key players being stretchered off.

In fact, we’ve been so impressed with the rugby here at Football FanCast Towers that we’ve started to consider what football could learn from the world of egg-chasing. We aren’t suggesting a change in shape of the ball just yet, but we have come up with FIVE things the beautiful game should adopt from Rugby.

Would the beautiful game benefit by copying these practices from the world of Rugby? Let us know by commenting below!

Keep up with all the action from the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Rugby Right Now. Rugby Right Now brings all of rugby’s latest news, expert views and team and player social media platforms all together at the touch of your fingertips. Available to download now in the App Store on iOS or visit online at www.rugbyrightnow.com.

RESPECT FOR OFFICIALS

The players may spend 80 minutes wrestling each other into bubbling pools of mud and occasionally instigating ad hoc boxing matches, but respect for referees is ingrained into rugby’s DNA.

Indeed, the referee’s word is final in the world of egg-chasing, indisputable and essentially gospel. They command respect and any hint that it’s not being given will quickly result in a penalty. If a penalty is already awarded, it’s moved ten yards up the pitch.

Compare that to football, where influencing referees has become part of its culture from the terraces to the touchline and even on the pitch itself. One wrongly awarded throw-in leads to chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ from the stands, whilst officials have become the go-to scapegoat for managers after practically every underwhelming result.

There’s been an improvement from players in recent years but it’s still common practice to see almost entire teams, including the goalkeeper, surrounding referees to pressure a certain decision out of them them.

Rugga ref Nigel Owens, one of the sport’s most renowned officials, recently claimed that he’d love to referee a Premier League game but ‘they’d be down to five-a-side before half-time’, which sums up the monolithic difference in the way football treats it’s officials.

Keep up with all the action from the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Rugby Right Now. Rugby Right Now brings all of rugby’s latest news, expert views and team and player social media platforms all together at the touch of your fingertips. Available to download now in the App Store on iOS or visit online at www.rugbyrightnow.com.

VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

The use of video technology seems to be a never-ending debate in the world of football, in no small part due to the fact sports like Rugby adopted it some time ago.

Every major decision in Rugby is replayed time and again and swept over with a fine toothcomb, ensuring as few mistakes from the officials as technology will allow and that impartial justice always prevails.

Football, in comparison, is still stuck in the dark ages. Only since 2013 has goal-line technology been used in the Premier League and much of UEFA still oppose it.

Manchester City’s recent Champions League win over Borussia Monchengladbach saw a Martin Demichelis header travel a yard over the line, but somehow the 5th official didn’t award the goal. Absolutely criminal.

There’s certainly some substance to the argument that calling upon video replays will slow the pace and intensity of the beautiful game, which is why it’s such a popular sport worldwide.

Yet a weekend doesn’t pass in the Premier League without at least one controversial decision deciding a match. If we ever want a sport where ability is always the ultimate decider of success, we need to adopt video technology.

Keep up with all the action from the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Rugby Right Now. Rugby Right Now brings all of rugby’s latest news, expert views and team and player social media platforms all together at the touch of your fingertips. Available to download now in the App Store on iOS or visit online at www.rugbyrightnow.com.

MANNING UP

Rugby is sport of 30 men continuously inflicting pain on each other and pretending it doesn’t hurt. Football, on the other hand, is a sport of 22 prima-donnas who collapse to the floor like they’ve just been shot the moment someone brushes their little finger.

Diving and simulation is so rare in Rugby that they don’t even have any official rules for it – it simply falls under the parameter of ‘ungentlemanly conduct’.

In the theatrical world of the Premier League, meanwhile, players will throw their bodies to the ground at any opportunity, in the hope of a free kick, penalty or most unsportingly of all a red card.

The FA are attempting to tighten up on simulation; any player caught feigning injury to deliberately deceive referees can now receive a retrospective three-match ban.

But cheeky dives to win free kicks, especially from defenders, are still common practice. Likewise, the amount of times players end up rolling around on the floor holding their face after a shoving match – considering the vast majority of them measure in at over 6 foot and are in top physical condition – is hilariously farcical. Overall, football seriously needs to man up.

Keep up with all the action from the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Rugby Right Now. Rugby Right Now brings all of rugby’s latest news, expert views and team and player social media platforms all together at the touch of your fingertips. Available to download now in the App Store on iOS or visit online at www.rugbyrightnow.com.

CROWD BEHAVIOUR

Fortunately, football seems to be gravitating further away from the dark hooligan era of the 1970s and 1980s with every passing year. But there’s no question it still lays beneath the surface of the beautiful game; the recent derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham City in the Capital One Cup saw 28 people arrested alone.

I’m sure there’s the odd ruckus at rugby matches too, but they are a drop in the ocean compared to the spectator violence motivated by football throughout the last half century. Opposing fans even share the same stands in the world of egg-chasing from time to time – imagine the chaos that would cause at a football match!

Football is certainly improving in this respect as it becomes a more corporate and family-orientated franchise. But for a wide variety of socio-economic and cultural reasons, there will unfortunately always be a few idiots ruining it for the rest of us.

Rugby fans, meanwhile, seem to be able to leave their differences on the pitch. It’s the reason football supporters aren’t allowed to drink in the stands but their rugga counterparts are.

Keep up with all the action from the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Rugby Right Now. Rugby Right Now brings all of rugby’s latest news, expert views and team and player social media platforms all together at the touch of your fingertips. Available to download now in the App Store on iOS or visit online at www.rugbyrightnow.com.

IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL GAMES

There is no greater honour in rugby than representing your national side. In a similar vein to cricket, the domestic game is centred around accommodating and improving the international scene as much as possible, which is the true platform for the world’s elite players.

In football, however, club is increasingly taking precedent over country. Players seemingly feel no shame in ruling themselves out of international fixtures through injury only to be fully fit for Premier League action next weekend, whilst many give the allure that representing their country is as much a burden as it is a duty.

There’s perhaps a different mindset when it comes to the World Cup or European Championships, but during international breaks you get the feeling many players, especially those representing England, would rather not be there.

Rugby players, on the other hand, are always proud and patriotic. Perhaps because caps aren’t simply dished out to anybody showing a few games of decent form, perhaps because they’re not always facing minuscule opposition like San Marino and Andorra.

Whilst the Rugby World Cup remains the pinnacle of the sport, many would argue the Champions League now trumps international football in terms of importance.

Keep up with all the action from the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Rugby Right Now. Rugby Right Now brings all of rugby’s latest news, expert views and team and player social media platforms all together at the touch of your fingertips. Available to download now in the App Store on iOS or visit online at www.rugbyrightnow.com.

Welcome back to another edition of FootballFanCast’s Fantasy Football Differentials, where we help give you some out of the box options for your Fantasy Premier League team ahead of Gameweek 12.

There are several reasons why you would want to bring in a hipster player that nobody else currently owns.

First is the most obvious one, to accumulate more points for your team. But the advantage of picking a differential over a mainstream star is that you will be one of the few that have him, meaning you will be gaining some ground on those that don’t.

Secondly, you have the opportunity to jump on a bandwagon player before a rise in price, gaining you some valuable team value ahead of your next wildcard.

With that said, we here have taken the time to find three candidates that may not only bring you points this gameweek, but also potentially a few weeks after this…

Mamadou Sakho

Liverpool look to finally be gelling under new boss Jurgen Klopp, with the Reds winning three out of their last three games. And with them at home to Crystal Palace, not many will bet against Liverpool on Saturday.

Priced at just 4.8 and owned by a meagre 0.8%, Sakho (who wore the captain’s armband in Henderson’s absence), Mamadou Sakho gives us a decent route into Jurgen Klopp’s back-line and is guaranteed 90 minutes.

Sakho is also a goalscoring threat from headers, and if Liverpool pile the pressure like they did against Rubin Kazan on Thursday, Sakho could be in and around the goals from set-pieces.

Gerard Deulofeu

Gerard Deulofeu (6.2) was considered as one of the best young players only two years ago, but the hype surrounding the former Barcelona ace disappeared last season.

Now back at Everton, the Spaniard really showed his ability with two assists and one goal in their 6-2 drubbing of Sunderland. And he can continue his form when the Toffees travel to Upton Park to face West Ham United, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six games.

Ahead of some enticing fixtures with Aston Villa (Home), Bournemouth (Away), and Crystal Palace (Home) in the next four, Deulofeu’s ownage of just 0.4% is set to rise soon.

Steven Fletcher

It may be hard to buy in a Sunderland player, but Steven Fletcher (5.0) should be considered for the third striker role in your squad.

Owned by a mere 0.9%, Fletcher is starting to find the form (3 goals in his last four games) that got him double digit goals in three consecutive seasons from 2010-2013.

The Black Cats also have a chance in turning their poor campaign around with Southampton (Home), Crystal Palace (Away), Stoke City (Home), and Watford (Home) in their next five games, with only a daunting trip to Arsenal in gameweek 15. If they do, Fletcher is expected to be in and amongst the goals.

It has been a solid start to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool reign. The Reds are still undefeated after five games, the latest of which saw them go to Stamford Bridge and claim a 3-1 victory over Jose Mourinho’s struggling Chelsea.

The most encouraging thing for Liverpool fans is that performances have steadily improved week after week. If Klopp can carry Liverpool to within six points off the top by the new year, then Liverpool will be in the exact same position they were in on January 1st 2014, when they mounted a title charge.

The Reds are currently eight points off the top of the table, so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility. However, Klopp will have one, if not two eyes on the upcoming January transfer window.

Thus far the German has improvised with an injury-plagued squad, and at full strength his team is far from the best in the league. Therefore Klopp’s promising start should not be underestimated.

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If teams doubt Liverpool’s ability to contribute to this season’s title race now, then they won’t when Klopp recruits the likes of Ruben Neves, Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus, as is rumoured to be the case. The German has made the most fragile defence in the league impenetrable and the Liverpool attack is finally taking shape, with one or two upgrades, Klopp and Liverpool could be laughing all the way to the top of the league.

Many will argue that these rumours are in fact just rumours and won’t come to fruition, however rest assured Klopp will sign players in January, and who can argue with his track record in recruitment.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss has asked the Liverpool faithful to be patient, as The Reds begin yet another rebuilding job, although on the face of it, building itself isn’t in bad shape at all. Liverpool have a more than good chance of winning a trophy this season, and much like there 2014 campaign, the league’s former champions have fallen down the league, potentially allowing Liverpool to take their place.

Far now the target remains the same for Klopp and Liverpool, to integrate new ideas and pick victories along the way. The German’s arrival has undoubtedly made Liverpool an appealing club to play for, therefore come January; The Reds may not see their ambitious targets slip through their fingers as they often did under Brendan Rodgers. If or else fails, they can always give Steven Gerrard a ring in LA, perhaps the Anfield hero could add some steel to Liverpool’s midfield.

The new Liverpool project has just got started, but like his predecessor, Klopp will be judged by the players he brings in as well as his performance in the league.

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The speculation continues to rise around the future of Pep Guardiola, and naturally everyone wants a piece.

After the Bayern Munich manager told the world that he would be stepping down as manager of the Bavarian club at the end of the season, his name was thrown up as a possible candidate to replace any manager under a little bit of pressure at any top club, and even some managers not under pressure.

Naturally enough he’s been touted to replace Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in the long term – at least that’s a job that’s available this summer. It seems fair enough that the rumours would focus on Manchester United too – after all, Louis van Gaal is under mounting pressure, and his style of play installed at Old Trafford does lend itself to Guardiola’s preferred approach, even if the Spanish coach does make it seem much sexier.

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But speculation around Manchester City is greatest, even if Manuel Pellegrini isn’t really in an awful position this season and under normal circumstances, wouldn’t face the sack. But when Pep is available, these are not normal circumstances. Even Arsene Wenger could see himself replaced by the special Catalonian. But, as Jurgen Klopp points out, “’If this rumour is as well-tuned as all the other transfer rumours here then Pep will go somewhere else completely.”

This is modern football. The speculation and the readiness to chop the head off a fairly successful manager at the slightest provocation is rife. That’s just the way it is these days. Money is so important (that’s not a jibe at football as such, money is just that important in our society) and that makes success so important. Clubs need trophies in order to win more trophies and attract the best players.

And Pep Guardiola pretty much guarantees success as a manager. His five league titles out of six entered speaks for itself, but it’s also true that Pep, as a manager, has only ever been knocked out before the semi-final stage in any competition once (an away goals defeat to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey last 16 in 2010).

Clearly Pep is a special coach. Any team would want him, and it looks like every team is going mad to sign a man who isn’t likely to spend more than three years in charge of their club. The longevity of the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger looks like a thing of the past.

But appointing a manager like Guardiola doesn’t simply mean success for three years and then fading into nothing. Barcelona have shown us that life post-Pep can be very rewarding still.

When Guardiola left Barcelona, it was after he realised that his players didn’t need his intense supervision and precision coaching in order to play the type of game that won them every every competition they entered in 2009.

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Now that he’s leaving Bayern Munich, it seems that maybe he’s worried that his services are no longer needed. The players are capable of doing it for themselves, and now it’s time for a new challenge.

It might also be a case of throwing his cap over the wall – Bayern have never won the Champions League under Pep, so this is now his last chance and he must make it count. Throwing your cap over the wall means you have to jump over and follow it, he has no choice now.

For a club like Manchester City, bringing Pep into the club would be the best thing they could do. Even though Pellegrini is a wonderful manager, Pep would create the dynasty that City crave.

The set-up of the club is such that the arrival of a manager who is so adept at putting his seal on a club and giving it a footballing identity mean Pep could be creating a squad who can win trophies with ease even after his departure.

The money and the academy situation at City is perfect for Pep, and the arrival of Guardiola would be the icing on the cake. Despite all of the speculation and the clamour, Pep is still one of the best the world has ever seen. And if the world has moved on to a new era of keeping managers only for a few years, then Pep is the ideal man for the new era.

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Last week one of the big news stories coming out of Madrid was the sacking of Benitez from Real Madrid.

Again the team full of Galacticos had disposed of a manager who is one of the best in the game. He was replaced with Zinedine Zidane, the ex-player who enjoyed many years at Madrid, both as a player and a coach. Though he has no experience coaching at the top level, he had been involved within the framework of Madrid for many years, being the coach for the B team, Castilla, as well as being Carlo Ancelloti’s assistant during his successful yet short tenure at the Bernabeu.

Yet, is the role of the ‘Supermanager’ over and, should teams be looking to promote their own from within, ex-players who know the system well?

With the success of Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, teams have taken note and tried to look at their own systems in an attempt to create a similar, successful set up.

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Guardiola made his way up through the ranks, being a player, then managing at Barca B, until taking the reigns of one of the most entertaining clubs in the world, replacing Frank Rijkaard in 2008. What followed was the emergence of a certain Lionel Messi, several Champions League trophies and countless other league and domestic honours.

What it did was illustrate the benefits of promoting within, allowing a manager with experience in day to day handling of the club to take the reigns, and make him a role model to look up to. In the end it got him the Bayern Munich job, and now he’s one of the most wanted managers in the world with several clubs reportedly eager to be his next project once he leaves Bayern this summer. So just how successful can it be for clubs to promote within? And what to do they get?

With a home grown manager, you’re getting someone who knows everybody, from the tea lady to the chairman. They know the club inside out, the style the fans want and how to embrace the players. For lower league clubs, it is an option most chose, due to the finances being tight and needing a manager who can provide a quick fix.

Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe has to be a great example of this.Being handed the managers job in 2013, he has stabilised the club, and developed the side in to promotion candidates, as well as most recently pulling off a draw against Aston Villa in the FA Cup. Other clubs have done the same, and in England it is not so unpopular.

Many forget that Roberto Martinez was a fan favourite at Swansea, and in 2007 took the mangers role and guided the club to League One. In 2014, Garry Monk became the Swansea manager and although he was recently sacked, initially led Swansea to their club record Premier League points haul of 56 in 2014/2015.

It highlights just how effective it can be for clubs to promote from within, and it is better for them when the manager knows the ins and outs and everyone around the club, creating an effective working relationship.

So ‘Supermanagers’ die out? The possibility is yes, highlighted through the fact Mourinho has not yet been snapped up by a club since his dismissal from Chelsea, while Manchester United are supposedly looking to promote Ryan Giggs, who we all know epitomises someone who knows a club inside out…

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Is it me, or has Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain been exceedingly quiet this season?

The young Arsenal and England star is facing another injury lay-off – and there are fears that this new set-back could wreck his Euro 2016 chances.

The Arsenal midfielder was sent for a scan after damaging his right knee and ankle in a challenge with Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano. A challenge that Arsene Wenger described as Oxlade-Chamberlain “cut in two”.

Talking to The Guardian, Wenger said: “It is a new injury. When he has been cut in two by Mascherano he did his knee. We have to see how big the damage is. I don’t think it was a malicious tackle, it was a fully committed tackle.”

He left on crutches with heavy strapping that night amid fears that he had damaged ligaments, which could mean he misses a big chunk of Arsenal’s title run-in, if not all of it.

Oxlade-Chamberlain knows missing the two next England friendlies with Germany and Holland next month will be a massive set back to his Euro hopes, surely. He has already suffered injury set-backs this season and has also struggled to hold down a regular first team place. That has probably left him worried about his long term future at Arsenal, with several clubs now looking at his situation as he will have two years left on his contract this summer.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is desperate to play for England, has been a regular for Roy Hodgson but knows time is running out on his chances to make the squad.

The loss of ‘The Ox’ is unfortunately timed, arriving as Arsenal prepare for a tough run of games to consolidate their top four finish, if not a final assault on the title. Once again, their best chance of winning the league for a while seems to be waning, but the north London side need every available player with so many games to come in a short space of time. This is, of course, the business end of the season.

“It is the key period,” said Wenger. “We work the whole season for this period. That is where you are really tested. It is the most interest period in the season, the period where you can show quality, nerves and desire.”

Under the guidance of Wenger, Oxlade-Chamberlain has partly become the player everyone expected he could be, but there is so much more to come. His move from Southampton to Arsenal in July 2011 for a fee around £15m all told could have held him back, but he has shown that he is more than capable of performing in the Premier League.

Other clubs are now looking at Oxlade-Chamberlain as a summer target, but will Wenger be ready to listen to offers for his protege just yet?

Where does his future lie?

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Newcastle United fans probably aren’t even thinking about what might happen in the summer just yet as the club’s battle for Premier League survival continues, but the coming transfer window could be an incredibly exciting one with Rafa Benitez at the helm.

First of all, the Spaniard has reportedly taken the Toon job on the proviso that he’ll be given free reign in the transfer market, so there won’t be another Ligue 1 haul arriving courtesy of chief scout Graham Carr and controversial owner Mike Ashley won’t be flogging the club’s top talents to the highest bidder.

But secondly and perhaps more importantly, Benitez is one of the best in the business who boasts vast connections throughout European football, having worked in La Liga, Serie A and of course, the Premier League, and that combination could grant Newcastle access to a level of the transfer market that has repeatedly evaded them in recent years.

With that in mind and the Magpies starting to move in the right direction following a draw to Sunderland on Sunday, here are FIVE transfer coups Benitez could secure for his club during the coming transfer window – providing they stay in the top flight.

Gabi

The inspiration for this list, Atletico Madrid captain Gabi was linked with a shock move to Newcastle United by Spanish outlet Marca last week.

The Spaniard doesn’t offer much longevity at the age of 32 but he’s supremely experienced, lifting a Europa League title, Copa del Rey and La Liga title with the Mattress Makers – captaining them to the latter two triumphs.

Gabi’s a hardworking midfielder who combines industriousness with consistency in possession, averaging 3 tackles, 2.1 interceptions and 62 successful passes per match this season, and rumour has it he wants a transfer to the Premier League before his career comes to a close.

With his contract set to enter its final twelve months, the coming transfer window represents Newcastle’s best chance of luring him away from Vincente Calderon and his disciplined style suits Benitez’s tactical approach.

SOFIANE FEGHOULI

Sofiane Feghouli looks set to leave Valencia upon the expiration of his contract this summer and a wealth of clubs have reportedly taken a look at the Algerian ace, not least including Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

The 26-year-old has never been the quickest of wide men and is really struggling for form this season, finding just one goal and one assist in 18 La Liga outings, but remains a good technician with creative instincts and a decent eye for goal.

He proved as much in the Champions League’s Group Stages earlier this season, netting twice in five outings whilst averaging 2.2 created chances per match, and would offer the Magpies added width in attack.

Something tells me the aforementioned clubs won’t come good on their reported interest this summer so if the Toon act quickly, Benitez’s presence on Tyneside could see them seal a deal for the 35-cap international.

JOSE CALLEJON

Jose Callejon enjoyed the best form of his career under Rafa Benitez after being brought to Napoli by the Newcastle boss in summer 2013, bagging 26 goals and nine assists in 75 Serie A outings during the Spaniard’s two campaigns in Naples.

He can operate as a striker, a wide man or a No.10, capable of converting chances or providing them for others, and comes with good pedigree, having begun his career in the Real Mardid academy and later represented them on 77 occasions at senior level following an intermittent spell at Espanyol.

Having failed to rekindle that same level of form under Benitez’s Napoli successor Maurizio Sarri this season, Callejon might be open to leaving Napoli this summer – especially considering he’s now 29 years of age and running out of time to test himself in another league.

Likewise, with his contract verging upon its final two years, a summer departure could suit the Naples outfit as well. A talented attacker with 42 outings in European competitions under his belt, producing an impressive 15 goals, Callejon would be a real coup for the relegation-threatened Toon.

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

Despite Aleksandar Mitrovic’s late heroics against Sunderland, Newcastle United still lack a centre-forward they can truly depend on for a consistent supply of goals.

Enter Liverpool’s Christian Benteke, who looks to become one of the only strikers combining proven Premier League pedigree, decent age and availability during the summer transfer window amid reports Jurgen Klopp will look to offload the out-of-favour Belgian battering ram.

Indeed, the 25-year-old’s target man services just don’t suit the Klopp philosophy but he netted 49 times across three campaigns with Aston Villa and would amass an even greater haul in a side willing to offer him the right kind of service.

Benteke’s availability is already intriguing a number of clubs, most notably West Ham, but the Benitez connection could give Newcastle the upper hand in any negotiations with the Merseyside outfit.

RAUL ALBIOL

Another Napoli ace who might be interested in a Benitez reunion is Raul Albiol – who also worked under the Spaniard at Valencia, albeit at youth team level, all the way back in 2002.

He’s another Real Madrid import the Magpies gaffer brought to Naples and has represented the Spanish national team on a whopping 53 occasions, featuring in the squads that lifted consecutive European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.

Newcastle are in desperate need of a new defensive leader amid Fabricio Coloccini’s desperate struggles for form, preferrably at centre-half, and the 30-year-old more than fits the bill in that regard.

Now coming to the end of his best years and set to enter the final twelve months of his contract this summer, a decent bid could well convince the Serie A outfit to sell. But Albiol has played regularly at European level for the entirety of his senior career and may resultantly deem the Magpies a little below his station.

Under-fire Everton manager Roberto Martinez has stated that the good work he has done at the club over the last three years should contribute to him keeping his job.

The Toffees have had a disappointing campaign in 2015-16, with inconsistency and a poor home record leaving the Merseyside club in mid-table.

The Goodison Park outfit had ambitions of finishing in the top six this season, with the young players at Martinez’s disposal better than their form has suggested of late.

Reports suggest that Martinez could be shown the door soon, with a shortlist of managers compiled to replace him at Everton.

Despite this, the former Wigan boss has been vocal on why he should be given more time by the club to prove himself.

Martinez has stated that the Toffees have progressed under this stewardship.

“I just want to believe, with the work I have done for the last three years, there are signs there that we are getting close to challenging for silverware and where Everton should be,” Martinez is quoted as saying by The Guardian.

“We developed young players, gave them big roles and they reacted, and showed character, flair and drive in the biggest football arena.

“In the first season we had a [club] record number of points in the Premier League and in the second the experience of Europe. We gave young players big roles and have not invested money but managed assets.

“We were very unfairly stopped from being in the League Cup final and that never stopped us wanting to come to Wembley.

“There are signs in the three years I could have earned the opportunity to drive the club forward and I am sure we can fulfil our expectations. I am very much attached to it.”

A late Anthony Martial goal eliminated Everton from the FA Cup semi-finals at the hands of Manchester United on Saturday.

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West Ham are off to the Olympic Stadium next season and will be playing in front of 60,000 Hammers every other week from now on.

This move will surely cement the Irons’ place as one of England’s biggest clubs and Londoners have plenty of money to spend this summer to ease their transition. West Ham’s current transfer record fee is just £15m – paid for striker Andy Carroll – so surely Slaven Bilic could smash that, considering players will want to play at the Olympic Stadium and join West Ham on their quest for European football.

West Ham finished a very respectable 7th in the league in their last year at the Boleyn Ground, but will need to recruit some new stars in order to really compete. So here are FIVE players that West Ham could sign this summer and slaughter their transfer record…

Theo Walcott

Unfortunately for Theo Walcott, he has never really lived up to the potential many thought he had as a 16 year old arriving in north London in 2006.

10 years on, times have changed, Walcott is not even in England’s 26 man provisional squad for EURO 2016 after a poor season at the Emirates but there is no denying that Walcott’s pace, passing ability and shot conclude that Walcott is worth at least £20m and could be a great signing for West Ham this summer.

Alexandre Lacazette

Lacazette has had a tremendous season in France. The 24 year old has been scoring goals for fun in Ligue 1 and surely is capable of doing the same in the Premier League. Lacazette is still young and has plenty of years ahead of him to improve and score plenty more, but if he could match his goalscoring record of 21 goals this season at the Olympic Stadium, West Ham could be a real force next season. The Frenchman may cost in the region of £25m but he is worth the gamble.

Christian Benteke

Last striker here, like Walcott, Benteke didn’t quite manage to live up to his high expectations this season at Anfield. That said, Benteke is one of the most feared strikers in Europe when he is in form. In a poor season, Benteke still scored nine goals and grabbed three assists, however the Belgian managed 42 goals in his last three Premier League seasons at Aston Villa. He could cost around £20m and he would surely be worth it.

Georginio Wijnaldum

It’s a great shame that Newcastle United were relegated this season. Their fans definitely did not deserve the poor performances that the team gave them throughout this term and even despite Rafa Benitez’s revitalisation of the side, the Magpies may find it hard to keep hold of their stars such as Wijnaldum.

The Dutch midfielder won’t want to be playing in the Championship next season and if Bilic coughs up close to £20m, I am sure Newcastle will find it too hard to resist. Wijnaldum was one positive in a miserable season in the North East.

Andriy Yarmolenko

Yarmolenko has seemingly been linked with every Premier League club over the last few years, Everton were reported to have a deal with the Ukrainian but there have been no reports on that for months.

The 26 year old could be a perfect fit at West Ham and would bring tons of experience, pace, skill and goals to the West Ham side. If the Hammers bid £20m, Yarmolenko would surely be theirs.

Over the last few years, West Ham have gone from strength to strength, with last season’s campaign a particular highlight.

Slaven Bilic has built the London side into a real force in the Premier League, and that growth will no doubt continue going into the 2016/17.

With West Ham wanting to solidify themselves as a top 6 team in the League, they will no doubt be seeking some world class talent over the next few weeks as they look to bolster their squad to compete at the highest level; and they would be hard pressed to find a league more full with talent than the Premier League

Whilst transfers within the Premier League often carry inflated price tags, the main advantage they offer is that team’s can see how a player performs within the English league, rather than risking that on a foreign purchase.

Tottenham Hotspur has become a breeding ground for top quality talents in the Premier League, with the club’s scouting network excelling at bringing in outside talent to utilise or sell on. West Ham would be wise to look at their squad as they look to bring in proven, top quality talent.

With that, here are THREE players West Ham should cherry pick from Tottenham

Nacer Chadli

Starting off with a player that West Ham have seemingly already cherry picked; Nacer Chadli would be a great signing for West Ham.

We brought you the news in March that West Ham were after the Tottenham winger, with Bilic’s side keen to bolster their attacking options. The report suggested that the club would chase the winger during this summer, and whilst no move has reportedly come to fruition yet; there is still time.

Whilst Chadli is a fan favourite at Tottenham, increased competition for places have made his position in the first team less secure, and he could be looking for a way out as he seeks regular game time.  With West Ham keen to bolster their attacking line up, he could be the perfect acquisition for the London side.

With West Ham’s Olympic Stadium move well under way, a signing with the calibre of Chadli would be a great way to introduce new fans to the side.

With no updates on the transfer in recent weeks, we aren’t sure where this deal stands. But he would be an absolute star at West Ham.

Ryan Mason

Whilst West Ham would no doubt love to get their hands on a Tottenham star like Harry Kane, realistically that sort of transfer will never happen. Instead, the fast-improving London side will have to look at some of Tottenham more rotational talents in order to find players that might be more readily available.

One such star is Ryan Mason; a player that has always been on the cusp of greatness at Tottenham, but never really broken the ceiling into the first team.

The 2014/15 campaign was a standout one for the midfielder, whilst he was expected to kick on and cement himself throughout 2015 and 2016. Unfortunately for him, that didn’t happen, and he lost his spot in the team to Eric Dier and Moussa Dembele.

Mason’s future is a heavily debated topic at the minute, with some fans backing him for one more season; whilst others would like to see him given a chance elsewhere.

West Ham have been linked with a whole host of top central midfielders this summer, and whilst they have been unsuccessful so far; Ryan Mason does have the credentials to be a real performer for the side.

He has been heavily linked with a move to Bournemouth, but if that doesn’t pan out; he could definitely do a job at West Ham. He would never be a star of the side; but as he has shown at Tottenham he definitely has moments of brilliance.

For a low fee, it would be a no risk high reward type scenario for West Ham.

Son Heung-Min

The departure of Son Heung-Min would no doubt disappoint a lot of Tottenham fans, with the ex-Dortmund winger having impressed on a number of occasions over the last year or so – but if numerous reports, including this one from The Telegraph, are to be believed – Tottenham could be looking to sell the South Korean this summer.

A host of poor performances towards the tail end of the year, according to The Telegraph, sealed the fate of the talented attacker, and it seems that Tottenham might be keen to cut their losses.

Contrastingly, West Ham are reportedly in the market for attacking players, and if he is available cheaply – Son Heung-Min could be a real coup for the London side.

He showed moments of brilliance last year, so he definitely has the talent. He just needs to do it week in week out – and we would definitely back Bilic to be able to get the best out of him.

You can also not underestimate the importance of his nationality, with West Ham’s new stadium move giving the club lots of marketing opportunities worldwide.

It would be a risk, given that he was disappointing last season; but he has all the potential in the world – he just needs someone to bring the best out of him.

Like Mason, if he can be signed for a cheap fee – it would be a no risk high reward scenario for West Ham United.