West Ham vs Stoke City: Slaven Bilic used to get a big kick out of playing Mark Hughes — literally
Croatian chief lined up as a centre-back for the Hammers when Welshman was a striker at Chelsea
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SLAVEN BILIC used to get a big kick out of playing Mark Hughes — literally.
The West Ham manager lined up as a centre-back for the Hammers when Hughes was a striker at Chelsea.
And he paid homage to Hughes’ unrivalled reputation as a hard-nosed hitman.
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Bilic said: “He was strong and never afraid of anything — a proper player.
“Did I give him a kick now and then? Yes! There were other players who if you kicked them they would be like, ‘I’m not going there’, and move away.
“But Hughes would come back and kick you harder!”
Bilic admits Stoke chief Hughes has turned them into a top-ten team after shedding their ‘British’ image.
Hughes persuaded the board they should buy the best players from around the world and it has transformed the Potters.
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Bilic added: “Hughes has changed a lot of things and is recognised as a really good manager for what he has done.
“From being an old-fashioned club, Hughes has taken them another step forward.
“I think they have now had three years in the top ten, of course that’s down to Hughes.”
Axed Stoke star Bojan has been challenged to reclaim his first-team spot.
Hughes says the Spaniard must emulate Charlie Adam and get back in the mix.
Bojan, 26, could get a recall this afternoon with Xherdan Shaqiri struggling to shake off a hamstring injury.
Adam starred in Monday’s win over Swansea and Hughes said: “Bojan is training well, he’s ready and able and ready to come in, like they all are.
“The case in point is Charlie, who has worked really hard.
“He reaped the benefits on Monday.”
Egyptian Ramadan Sobhi, 19, could make a league bow with Marko Arnautovic suspended.