One winner and one loser as West Ham sign Samir Nasri
On Monday evening, West Ham United announced the signing of Samir Nasri until the end of the season, with a further option to extend the deal an additional year.
Here is one winner and one loser from the transfer, as Manuel Pellegrini is reunited with one of his former players while the Hammers’ young wingers may see their playing time limited.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Winner: Manuel Pellegrini
The Chilean manager worked with Nasri at Manchester City, winning the Premier League title with the Frenchman in the 2013/14 campaign. Pellegrini will be delighted he is linking back up with one of his favoured players, offering the manager a familiar face to choose from.
While at the Etihad, Pellegrini coaxed the best out of the mercurial midfielder, with Nasri registering seven goals and nine assists in 34 appearances as the Citizens triumphed in the league.
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Clearly one of Pellegrini’s firm favourites, Nasri could be set to rekindle his old form in east London under the close tutelage of his old boss.
(Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Getty Images)
Loser: Grady Diangana
The 20-year-old winger has truly broken through at West Ham this season, with the Englishman playing 12 times in the league to date.
Most of Diangana’s appearances have come on the right wing, which is unfortunately Nasri’s most likely West Ham position.
Although Nasri has mainly featured as a left-winger in the Premier League, it appears unlikely the Frenchman will displace Felipe Anderson in the starting lineup.
And Nasri has registered around 60 English league appearances on the right wing, suggesting he could take Diangana’s spot in the Hammers squad.
The transfer will come as a bitter blow to the West Ham youngster, who will likely see his first team minutes cut in 2019 as a result.
