The Portugal international joined West Ham United on loan in January.
West Ham boss David Moyes spoke to reporters about Joao Mario’s fine display against Southampton at the weekend, sharing how that was the exact reason why he chose to bring him into the club in January, as quoted by the club’s official website.
The 25-year-old has notched up one goal and one assist in six Premier League outings for the Hammers thus far, and despite making a slow start to life in east London, he is beginning to showcase his true talent.
Moyes brought Mario in on loan from Inter Milan in January, but it is unclear as to whether he will join West Ham on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
The Scot raved about the Portugal international’s quality, when speaking exclusively to the club’s official website, sharing the main reason he chose to bring him to the London Stadium during the winter transfer window:
“He brings a little bit of flair, he’s good on the ball, and a bit of natural talent. What goes unnoticed is that he’s actually a really hard-working boy as well. What we’ve needed from him – we’ve not had Manuel Lanzini, that was the reason we brought him, when [Lanzini] was injured in January – was to give us a goal, or an assist, and he came up with the goods.”
The Hammers still have seven Premier League games remaining this season, and if Mario can help fire his side to a top 10 finish, he will have every chance of convincing the club’s owners to part with some serious cash to make his loan move a permanent one in the summer.
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