10 Former Players Birmingham City Could Do With Now

9. Mauro Zarate

It may seem a long time ago now that Mauro Zarate pulled on the blue of Birmingham City, but it was at St. Andrews in 2008 that the Argentine forward showed the Premier League what he could do as a buccaneering 21 year old. Signed on a loan deal from Qatari League side Al-Sadd in January 2008, Zarate provided guile, creativity and panache to a struggling Birmingham side, scoring four goals during his 14 appearances, including a sublime free-kick against Everton. Despite his successful spell at the club, their relegation meant that the possibility of making the deal permanent was no longer to be considered an option. He has since played for both Lazio, Inter Milan and his hometown club Velez Sarsfield, before ending up back in the Premier League with West Ham where he is already making noises to leave after just four months. In his limited appearances for the Hammers this season, however, he has shown glimpses of the class which endeared him to Brummies six years ago and a player of his ilk would very much be a welcome addition to the squad.