The Chilean manager suggests that the West Ham United star was carrying a bit of timber last summer.
Manuel Pellegrini has admitted to The Belfast Telegraph that while he has always liked West Ham United’s Robert Snodgrass, he did demand that he lost weight in the summer.
Snodgrass has impressed for West Ham under the Chilean manager this season, and set up a goal in the 3-0 demolition at Newcastle United on Saturday.
The Scotland international looked to be on borrowed time in East London after spending last season on loan with Championship side Aston Villa, helping them to a playoff final.
But Snodgrass, a £10 million signing two years ago, has earned a second wind at the Hammers.
And although Pellegrini is delighted with the former Hull City star, he did have a few demands for him when he replaced David Moyes in East London.
“There were very few words that I spoke with him at the beginning of the season. I gave him some demands about his weight, about his work,” he told The Belfast Telegraph.
“I always found him a good player, just will depend on what he wants, if he had a spot here for the season.
“He’s a very professional player. He’s doing it very well because he had desire to be here.”
His assist at St James’s Park was his first of the season and if there’s any area where Snodgrass must improve in the new year, it’s productivity.
Zero goals and one assist from 13 Premier League appearances isn’t an outstanding return and the former Leeds star really must up his game in that regard, if he is to survive beyond January.
There will be plenty of interested parties this winter, and some from the Championship you would imagine, so if Snodgrass values his West Ham career then he must show it over the coming weeks.
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