Many West Ham United fans were sorry to see Mauro Zarate leave the club last year as he prepares to line up against them for Watford this Saturday.
Watford’s Mauro Zarate in action
The Argentina-born Chile international criticised Slaven Bilic for playing him out of position during his time with the club, as reported by Sky Sports at the time.
The former Birmingham City man ended his two-year spell at Upton Park for Florence and posted a message thanking the club and the fans for their support.
But no sooner had he arrived in Italy than he was criticising everyone else for his lack of game time during his stay in East London.
After being unveiled at Fiorentina, Zarate told the Italian press: “I’m happy to be back in Italy with a great team, and to show how I can play,” said Zarate as reported by Sky Sports.
“It’s a good chance for me to get back on track. In England, it was good because English football is enjoyable, but I wasn’t too comfortable with my role at the club and that’s why I decided to come here.
“I prefer to play in a free, attacking role, one that allows me to roam.”
Zarate played second fiddle to Payet at West Ham
At West Ham that role of course was filled by a certain Dimitri Payet.
Now he is back in the Premier League with West Ham’s opponents on Saturday, Watford, but could the skillful attacker have flourished in the current Hammers side following Payet’s controversial departure?
Zarate had some memorable moments for West Ham, none more so than his long range strike which helped Bilic to a 2-0 Premier League debut win over Arsenal last season.
But he was in and out of the side with the emergence of Payet and fellow Argentine Manuel Lanzini.
What a tantalising prospect that Argentine duo would be for the Hammers now given the persistent injury problems of Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho.
Manuel Lanzini and Zarate could forge a potent partnership now
Indeed it could be argued at the moment Zarate would have more chance of getting in the Hammers side than he did a year ago.
But it is the Hornets and Walter Mazzarri who will be hoping to get the best out of the maverick striker now.
Bilic will be hoping it doesn’t come back to bite him this weekend.
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