It might well be true.....he went off with a leg injury yesterday so he certainly fits West Ham's criteria!
The only way I could see any truth in it is if Rickie thinks Osvaldo will start more regularly ahead of him, and he wants to be starting every week with the world cup looming. Osvaldo and JRod should be pumped up as the season progresses - Osvaldo so he starts for Italy, JRod so that he gets on the plane.
Selling Rickie this side of the summer would be absolutely stupid as we have a paper thin front line with him in the squad. Replacing him would cost circa £15m+ and then there is who? Love Rickie, a true Saints Legend and really hope he stays to see out his career with us but would understand him seriously looking at the Hammers ridiculous offer of £65k a week to boost his pension. If he did go I would clap him on his refurn but won't have to worry about that for a couple of seasons when they scramble back up from the Championship.
I do love this talk of weekly wages, as it hides just how much money we're talking about in football. An extra £32.5K "per week" wouldn't turn his head? What if WHU gave him a three year contract? They'll be the last three years of his playing career most likely. So, forget £32.5K per week and say £1,690,000 a year more. Sounds better. So over five years he'd be being offered £5,070,000 more money to take into his sixty year retirement (from big wages - I'm not suggesting he won't do something but the money will not be there). Would you take a £5M pay increase at the same stage in your career? I'm not saying that WHU are offering it but I wouldn't so glibly talk about RL turning it down if they did. And I wouldn't hold it against him for one second. Vin
Rickie is in a strange situation. Before his England call up, he probably thought Saints was the pinnacle of his career. He was approaching his twilight years at a good club on good wages....he is loved and happy. He was then given a chance to play for his country and the publicity follows. It then occurs to him that he might be able to play for longer than he thought. Remember he has three children and has probably only been on serious money for a few years (and that money is heavily hit by tax). We need him this season, but may not need him so much next season if we sign another striker. May scarcely use him (had to stop to wipe away a tear). He doesn't need a move for his possible England place...he is still playing regularly in the PL...but might be tempted to secure his family's future. It depends what plans he has...might want to open a garage for all we know. On the other hand....it's West Ham FFS!! Don't go Rickie...only pain and shame can follow.
I got worried when I read the first sentence of this. Then I read the last sentence. What a load of bollocks.
Lambert might be interested in good offers (who knows?) but desperate to leave...I don't think so. And when will they stop going on about Shaw....does Cortese have to adopt the lad to stop the rumours?
Agreed Vin - exactly my point from the last page. Added to that, I honestly think he's really only another season left in him in the top division. If it's true, it's a very good deal for him. If we got, say, Ings in...well....
Fat Sam would only buy Rickie for big money if Carroll isnt coming back. He's not going to play them both.
Should change his name by deed poll. Our on the ball UK tabloid media would take weeks to realise he's now called "Rusty Ballbanger"
How are West Ham going to pay these inflated wages? Maybe if they're still in the prem in the summer they'll make a serious bid for Lambert, but as he's under contract and we need him, he won't be going anywhere in January. I'm 100% certain of that.
Can I just take this discussion back a bit... We're talking about who is going to play up front and what their motive is... Rickie - playing to stay in the England squad for the World Cup Dani - playing to stay in the Italy squad for the World Cup Jay - playing to get on the England team plane to the World Cup How times change.
Sam will definitely play them both together. 4-4-2 with 2 'good' strikers is the only way he is going to get the hammers out of the mess they are in.
I wouldn't be surprised if Rickie wanted a move for money at the end of his career...wouldn't blame him either. But I do think that if told no, he would accept it because of what he owes Nicola and Saints.
That's a little unfair - I'm not sure I've said that anywhere. All I've said throughout is that it'd be understandable at this stage in his career to take a final payday (specifically if it was in the £5M region). As it happens, if there's one player who I believe would hold to principles it's him. Vin
I think Rickie will be more than ok once he hangs his boots up, he is so liked universally that he could easily become a pundit. I think he will not want to miss out on this journey one bit and that will overide any monetary gain. West Ham are going nowhere fast, does anyone really think he would leave the club that has helped propel him to the brink of a world cup finals? I just can't see it unless we wanted to sell but I can't see that either.
