I remember my time at West Ham well of course, and while it was not the best time in my career, I still enjoyed it because of my teammates and the fans, who are very good. I have good memories of the supporters and this is a very special and historic club. I remember their passion and their support for me and for the team during my time here. - Javier Mascherano, November 2014.
If the West Ham board was trying to cover up the irregularities of the deal which took Argentine duo Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez to the club in August 2006, then Alan Pardews seemingly bizarre decision to leave both of them on the bench certainly did not help matters. In the case of Mascherano, he had emerged as one of the most coveted young midfielders in world football - yet Pardew was insistent on playing the workmanlike Hayden Mullins ahead of in the middle of park. With no disrespect intended to Mullins, but its ten years later and he is struggling for game-time at Notts County while Mascherano was recently chosen as Barcelonas player of the year. There isnt really much contest.
In football, you have to work, you have to keep the mentality. When I couldnt play at West Ham I kept my mentality. I went to train every day to be a better player. I didnt have the chance to play in the game in which I wanted to play at West Ham, but in football you always have a chance. - Javier Mascherano, July 2014.
In four seasons with the Catalan giants, he has won eight pieces of silverware and was arguably the most influential player behind Argentinas dogged traipse to the World Cup final last summer. There is no doubt that he is one of the finest defensive midfielders of the modern era and would command a starting position at most clubs on the planet, never mind the London club who consistently overlooked him during the 06/07 season.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
