via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand gave all the reasons why the Hammers have to hold onto Chicharito whilst commenting on the amazing Mexico win over the Germans this afternoon (Sunday).
The former Hammer and Manchester United defender knows the striker as well as anyone and declared: “Yeah he is (old fashioned). “You get the ball in the box and there are not many better movers than him.
“He will do double movements, he will go front post to get to the back post, confuse defenders and gets chances and scores goals.
“If you play the ball in behind, he makes runs like this all game. He’s a defender’s nightmare. If you play it in there he will get chances and score goals.
“What he is on top of that movement is his dedication to training, to improving, to analysing opponents is second to none.
“That’s why when you see he can come onto into a game, he tunes in straight away because he studies the game every minute, every second.
“Great lad, I spoke to him this morning on text, always happy, comes in with a smile on his face, wants to work hard, wants to train.
“He loves scoring goals and that’s what you want out of your No 9.”
This is a no-brainer. He’s a wonderful player who was wasted and misused by two managers. Not just a great in-the-box striker but superb in build-up today.
On a bigger picture, Rio may be right, but the truth is that today he was average. Did not shoot when alone in front of Neuer in the first minutes of the game, passed to heavily to Carlos Vela on a 2v1 situation, fell in the area as soon as he felt contact instead of exhausting possibilities to score. He did give an assist to Chucky Lozano, though I thought he would never pass the ball. Oh, and he played lone striker… Just like when he was asked to do so for West Ham. But did not complaint this time…
Maybe Pellegrin will get the best out of him.If not, we can probably get a good fee for his transfer after the world cup.