The signing of Argentine striker Mauro Zarate last month has, similarly to most debates about West Ham at the moment, split the opinion of the club’s supporters. Personally, I am thrilled that the club have acted quickly in securing an additional attacking player for the season ahead and hopefully the capture of Zarate is the first of many in the coming weeks and months. Despite this, however, it’s fair to say that the success of South Americans’ in East London over the past few years has been incredibly unpredictable – Carlos Tevez and Wellington Paulista are two names that immediately contrast and spring to mind.
Zarate has recently stated that he wishes to replicate the form of fellow countryman Carlos Tevez at the Boleyn Ground, and, from interviews I have seen, our new striker certainly sounds humble, focused, and determined to do well for his new club.
Having signed Zarate for previous club Birmingham City, the owners clearly have faith in their latest acquisition and believe he can provide us with excitement, positivity and ultimately, goals. Calls for a strike partner for Andy Carroll were clear for all to hear and see at the Boleyn last season, and our new Argentine at first glance seems to fit the bill. At just five foot seven and with the ability to run in behind defences, hopefully Zarate will be able to compliment the big man and make effective use of his knock-downs and hold up play; assuming Big Sam opts to play two up front, that is.
Despite this, however, the deal certainly has a hint of the Wellington Paulista deal about it – a purchase supposedly solely decided and completed by the owners, with Sam Allardyce having no intention of giving the lad a chance in the first team. Paulista endured a torrid time in East London, failing to make a single appearance, but can you really blame the owners for taking transfer matters into their own hands with the current boss’s transfer record in mind?
Mauro Zarate enjoyed a successful 2013/14 campaign, securing the Argentine Premier League Golden Boot award with thirteen goals in the league, and an additional six in cup competitions, taking his total for the season to nineteen. A striker capable of a solid fifteen goals a season is undoubtedly what we have been looking for in recent years, the question is will the Argentine be able to replicate his form in a division as competitive as the English Premier League?
Despite enjoying spells at top Italian clubs Lazio and Inter Milan in the past five years, the fact that Zarate has ended up back at his boyhood club Velez Sarsfield in Argentina sparks questions into whether he is going to be able to cut it? I, for one, certainly hope so – the forward seemed very genuine and modest in his interview the day he signed, and despite having a reputation for being hard to handle at previous clubs, I am sure the prospect of a starter’s place in a Premier League side will calm down the reported ‘bad boy’.
Only time will tell if Zarate will emulate the success of fellow Argentine, Tevez or failure of Paulista in East London, but on the whole I am delighted that the board have moved ahead with transfer business as quickly as possible – hopefully a sign of things to come this transfer window as it was clear from last year’s dismal performance, strengthening is certainly needed in various other key areas.
