David Gold has been fan of Mauro Zarate since his days at Birmingham when as a young striker with attitude he arrived on loan.
Brought back into English football for the second time under his and David Sullivan’s stewardship, he is thrilled to see the striker well and truly in the Hammers first team fold.
Zarate had arrived at St Andrews as a 21 year from Qatar club Al Sadd, and managed four goals from 14 before moving on to Lazio on loan later signing a permanent deal and staying four years.
Gold and Sullivan never forgot the player who scored a genius free kick against the Baggies at the weekend. Slaven Bilic commented: “Mauro has got it and it is a natural talent the way he shoots the ball. Whether it is from free-kicks or open play when he scored against Chelsea.
“He practices that every day in training and it wasn’t a surprise to see him do that. It was a great goal.”
Zarate’s arrival as a starter or regular squad member is a testimony to his attitude after becoming an Irons outcast last season and looking likely to be on his way from Upton Park.
DG said: “He’s always been a smashing player. At his best he is great but he can, shall we say be unpredictable and you have to accept that side of things. But as we saw on Sunday he can do superb things with the ball.
“He is a player who believes he should always be in and around the first team squad – give him that and an arm around a shoulder and you have a very good asset on your hands. Making him feel wanted is the key and he’s getting that.
“There was talk of him perhaps moving on at one point but I think he’s going to be around for some time to come. He’s enjoying his time here now and we are starting to see the best of him.”
Zarate’s Hammers record:
2015/16:
Europa Cup: Played 4………. Goals 1
League Cup: Played 1………. Goals 1
Prem League:Played 10……. Goals 3
2014/15
Prem Lge……Played 7……….. Goals 2
Lge Cup………Played 1 ………..Goals 0
Was at the game on Sunday for possibly my last ever visit to the Boleyn. I couldn’t have had a better view of the free kick; row S, just to the left of the goal. Although the result was not great, that goal was a great parting gift!
Having watched him for the last year, my only complaint is his tendency to hold onto the ball too long. I thought Sunday he didn’t do this too much though and had one of his best games yet. His goals per games STARTED are pretty impressive.
If DG could see what we could all see how did he let Hippo send him to Coventry lady year
Before oldtit comments I know it was OPR but you know what I mean,
Last year could have been great if Mauro and Rav had stayed when we were short of attacking players,at least it ment we for shot of Fatty,
Great to see a bit of talent in our squad if only he could learn when to release the ball and when he does not have the beating of a player and he would be pushing for a place alongside Messi for his country,but his little mate will take Messi,s place in a couple of years
If Lanzini gets a bit stronger the world is his oyster
And both work so hard when they loose the ball as a fan that’s great to see