Former West Ham striker Leroy Rosenior believes that virtual free signing Mauro Zarate is a safer bet than £12 million ‘marquee’ arrival Enner Valencia.
Rosenior was a big Irons favourite as a player and as a regular ClaretandHugh columnist this season makes it clear that Valencia is a gamble.
Leroy – who was with the Hammers for four years in the late 80s and early 90s said: “I always think it’s dangerous signing players off the back of a big World Cup.
“The Premier League is totally different and very hard and I hope he does it for us but I have to reserve judgement. He was on a roll in the World Cup…time will tell if he’s a Premier League player.
However, when you see strikers like Russ McCormack going to Fulham for £11 million you have to agree with David Sullivan that the market is crazy.
“Had any of us heard of Valencia before the World Cup? Had Sam? I hope so and I also hope he scores the 12-15 goals that are being expected.”
Rosenior believes that Zarate meanwhile has returned to the country and Premier League a far more mature player and has already shown that he will be quite at home here.
“He’s a top player – a throwback to the West Ham players of the past and will be very creative in the hole.
“He cost the club next to nothing and for me has been the arrival of the summer.”
Liked Leroy as a player and a pundit, he talks sense
Terrific bloke – our regular columnist
I recently commented I felt Valencia was 5 times over priced, It too early to start I told you so, but I am obviously not the only one who thinks this deal will seriously back fire.
Great article, well thought out.
I would like to expand the point made to add too clubs such as us £15 mill on any player let alone a striker is a very big deal and that alone is a lot of pressure. Where as one of the big clubs that kind of money is merely small change.
Therefore IMO it is vital that Valencia receives all the support possible to ensure he doesn’t get isolated and the burden of scoring isn’t his alone.
Playing two up would help! Or even a second striker playing just of him but in close support would also do as well. COYI!