Zola waxes philosophical over Hammers’ window pain

GIANFRANCO ZOLA hopes striker Craig Bellamy will change his mind and commit to West Ham, but accepts keeping players who want to leave is a pointless exercise.

The Hammers have turned down several bids from both Manchester City and Tottenham for the 29-year-old Wales international.

But while the east London club do not want to sell, it seems the former Liverpool, Newcastle and Blackburn forward has his mind set to leave — with White Hart Lane his most likely destination.

Zola is trying to remain pragmatic about the whole situation as he prepares for tomorrow’s visit of Fulham, with Bellamy one of several players who opted not to attend yesterday’s voluntary training session at Chadwell Heath.

“What can I do about it? As far as I am concerned, I want to keep him — and the club want to keep him. But if a player wants to go it is difficult,” said the Hammers boss.

“I do not know if he will play on Sunday. We will see what happens. It is a club matter. What I have to focus on is the game.

“We have spent the whole week talking about this and that, but we need to focus on the match. It is difficult to keep players who are unhappy at the club, but we will see what happens.”

Zola accepts he would have to dip quickly into the transfer market for another striker should Bellamy leave for what would likely be a fee in excess of €13million.

“If Bellamy goes we will need to replace him properly, and so we will see. But for the moment, we hope we can keep him”

Zola, though, was happy to retain Luis Boa Morte after the Portugal winger failed to agree personal terms with Hull.

“I am pleased more than surprised,” he said. “Boa is very important for us and is one of those players who creates the right atmosphere.

“Every time he has played for me, he has done very well. I am pleased for us.”

Zola has seen several of his first-team players linked with a move away from Upton Park.

The Hammers have also had to fend off interest from Manchester City in midfielder Scott Parker, while defender Matthew Upson has been linked with a return to former club Arsenal.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear revealed yesterday he had been talking to the agent of captain Lucas Neill, but no permission had been given nor any offers received from the Magpies.

Zola was less than impressed: “I read it in the newspaper. This is something I would never do. I stick to my philosophy.

“I have respect for Joe Kinnear and all managers and I would expect them to behave the same way I would behave.”