Guest Post by Jim Stuart
I’m aware this is a seemingly random post, but the season is winding down, West Ham continue to concede goals after 90 minutes, there are no English teams left in Europe, and no senior International football in the summer.
Thus I have arrived at the conclusion West Ham should sign Mario Balotelli in the summer.
Realistically would Liverpool accept an offer of £8m, so they recoup half of their original investment. He took a wage cut to join Liverpool, and to escape I’m sure he would be able to be convinced to take another.
Despite his obvious talent, Mario admittedly does often come across slovenly, walking around the pitch, getting obviously frustrated when things don’t go his way, and sailing dangerously close to red cards. But the talent remains. He is a difficult beast to tame, lets not pretend, but he is capable of the spectacular. The reason I think he could really kick on at West Ham as opposed to any of his former clubs is because of our biggest asset, our fans.
If we at West Ham feel a connection to a player, feel he is special, we make him feel special. Why is it Carlos Tevez is still happy to reminisce about his West Ham days, despite only scoring 7 goals, in a relegation dog fight. He received the adoration of every West Ham fan, for 90 minutes a match, even before he scored a single goal ‘One Carlos Tevez’ was bellowed down from the stands. I know Liverpool are supposed to be excellent fans, the Kop laa di da di daa. But I genuinely believe at West Ham, we the fans are the most capable at appreciating a player that gives everything for us, just ask Di Canio’s tattoo, or Julian Dicks to name but a few.
I think Mario Balotelli has similar traits to the aforementioned players, if he felt the connection with us, I think he would wear his heart on his sleeve and really play for the colours, and be excellent. But hey, that’s just my end of season feelings, I can’t see it happening and many may disagree. I’d get him on my shirt though.