Why Samir Nasri would turn out to be a worthy gamble for West Ham

Samir Nasri, once considered as French football’s long-term future before his decline into early retirement and a doping ban, has signed for West Ham United on a six-month deal with an option to extend it further. The 31-year-old once played under Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City, flourishing there as he went on win two titles under the Chilean. But he failed to hit the same heights he did at Arsenal or even Marseille.

Now at West Ham, the 31-year-old has been given a second chance, with his former boss playing a massive role in the deal.

Nasri revealed in an interview with Sky Sports,

“I know the manager really well. We won the Premier League title together and I’m really passionate about my job.

Manuel Pellegrini was the biggest factor for me to be joining West Ham. When you’re a player, you want the manager to know your quality and want you because he’s the one that is going to be playing the team, and knows your quality.”

However, while Pellegrini may be Nasri’s biggest fan, the Frenchman’s worst enemy is himself, and that’s something that needs to change if he wants to continue playing football. His time at Manchester City showed exactly what the 31-year-old could do with the ball at his feet.

At his best, Nasri had the skill, talent and vision that very few can match but that best came sporadically, which eventually ended his career at the Etihad. The Premier League and its fans loved Nasri when he was at his best, carrying Manchester City at times with an ability to visualise the game as few others can.

For West Ham, these traits will be crucial after January when the league becomes a little hectic, especially with the Hammers chasing a Europa League spot. What they don’t need, however, is Nasri switching off in the middle of games, a tendency that he displays more often than not. While the Frenchman is someone to have in a difficult situation, his lack of consistency could hurt West Ham.

But if there is anyone on the planet to help Samir Nasri get that out of his system, then it’s the one manager who helped him in the first place, Manuel Pellegrini.