Mauro Zarate’s fitness levels were so poor on his arrival from the Irons that Queens Park Rangers are being reported as almost pulling the plug on his Loftus Road loan spell.
The Sam Allardyce outcast has played just 14 minutes football for his loan club and that’s because staff were left totally stunned by his low level of fitness.
The player’s entire £40k a week wages are being picked up by Rangers who have now put him on an on an intensive fitness regime to get him up to speed quickly.
He is working closely with coach Glenn Hoddle and the club’s fitness staff and is going in on his days off to complete double training sessions at the club’s Harlington HQ.
Not sure what to make of this. Either West Ham are at fault for allowing him to get to this state (as well as the player himself) or the story is designed to achieve something else? I would be amazed if he were allowed to get into the unfit state claimed by QPR; I always thought our fitness staff were top notch and fitness was carefully monitored and managed. So whats going on? Very suspicious!
IMO, I believe the inference is that the player is a bit on the lazy side. He has had a history of childish behaviour whilst in Italy and there have been question marks over his work rate while he was with us. So if the latest rumours are true then it is hardly a surprise.