Matthew Upson is "desperate" to play in the Champions League - and hopes West Ham's new owners will match his own ambitions by helping manager Gianfranco Zola strengthen the squad.
The Barclays Premier League club has been sold to a group of Icelandic banks in a deal understood to be worth just over £100million. The new owners are CB Holding, and have indicated funds will be made available for transfers.
England defender Upson, currently training with the national team ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Wembley, welcomed the news.
However, the 30-year-old made it clear he needs to be playing at the highest level to help cement his bid for a place in Fabio Capello's starting XI ahead of Chelsea captain John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, currently out injured, who are both regulars in Europe's elite club competition.
"Playing in the Champions League every season definitely puts you in a position where you can compete against the best players in the world," said Upson, who played in the Champions League during his time with Arsenal before leaving to join Birmingham in 2003.
"I know that the Premier League holds a lot of those players, but worldwide there is a lot of different talent, different tactical situations you are going to find yourself in other than the Premier League. That definitely favours them [Ferdinand and Terry], to be playing in that tournament every year."
Comment 1 - 11 of 11
maybe he will come back to arsenal.....hmmmmmmm
Players have absolutely "ZERO" loyalty to either the contract they sign or, the fans who pay their wages........
upson get on with the job you signed for westham 1st. and just think of getting westham in europe, don't forget you are under contract to us.... we have now one of the best management teams in the premier league in Mr Zola and Mr Clark i realy think we have the makings of a good side if we can sort out a couple of good strikers,
as with Barry desperate to play in champions league and moving to a "better club" can we expect Upson to move to Wigan
he wants away let him go
how about showing some loyalty to west ham they stuck behind him when he was out injured or is he another bellamy one good season and thinks grass is greener ask tevez
totally agree with comment 2 he is already playing for England and will never jump ahead of Terry or Ferdinand in the England line up. We are building something very special at West Ham but can only do so with players who are 100% committed to the cause.
This screams a come and get me to the top four. We need to keep hold of Upson and our top players, they are fundamental in West Ham moving forward, give Upson the captains role and the reassurances he needs, but above all remind him he is under contract and make sure he is a West Ham player next season.
Bench warmer
What garbage Matt, your in the England set up, and playing regular prem football,what difference will it make if you go to a champions league side.
At Man Utd, you will be behind Rio & Vidic, At Chelsea behind Terry,Carvaliho & Alex, At Atrsenal, Wengar let you go because he never rated you, and at Liverpool you will be in a rotation system.
Better off where you are,look at tevez to see what happens at the so called big clubs.
I think he can do same at West Ham.. he is playing for England and in a que of very good players, he wont jump that que by going elsewhere, he will most likely rot on the bench ...
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