OPINION
It’s safe to say that Samir Nasri’s time at West Ham United hasn’t quite gone how he or manager Manuel Pellegrini hoped for.
The Frenchman made a promising start to life in east London, but recurring injuries have limited him to just six appearances since signing in January.
That’s just not good enough, and it could lead to him exiting the club this summer after just six months. However, he could have one last chance to impress against Southampton on Saturday.
Pellegrini confirmed at his pre match press conference on Thursday, as per Football London, that the 31-year-old is fit to take on Saints at the London Stadium.
You’d have to think that, at this stage, Nasri must produce the goods against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side and away to Watford on the final day to avoid being let go this summer.
On the face of it, giving up on the playmaker after just a few months comes across as pretty ruthless. But if you can’t rely on someone to be fit and to play regularly then it’s pointless keeping them at the club.
Nasri was only brought in on a short-term contract in January on the back of a long drugs ban. Pellegrini took a chance on him and gave him the opportunity to earn himself a more substantial deal with the Hammers. However, it’s now looking more and more unlikely that that will happen.
Having said that, if he comes in against Southampton and Watford and plays absolutely out of his skin, setting up goals left, right and centre, then Pellegrini will surely find it difficult to cast him aside.
However, if we see a couple of lukewarm performances from him then the West Ham faithful might as well kiss the mercurial Frenchman goodbye.
