West Ham United enjoyed a thoroughly productive summer transfer window with Manuel Pellegrini’s influence enabling them to make a handful of quality signings – on paper at least.
Optimism was rife amongst the Hammers faithful heading into the new season but that new-found sense of confidence has been quickly replaced by a familiar feeling of discontent following 4 straight defeats in the Premier League. It’s only natural in times of desperation for football supporters and journalists to begin questioning how previous transfers and managerial decisions have impacted on performances.
In the case of Football.London journalist Sam Inkersole, he has bemoaned a potential missed opportunity for the club in light of Joao Mario’s omission from Inter Milan’s Champions League squad.
The Portugal international is yet to feature for the Nerazzurri in Serie A and the club’s decision not to include him in their squad for the Champions League perhaps suggests that his career with the Italian giants is all but finished.
In response to the recent report, Inkersole published a tweet revealing the news before admitting that he believes West Ham missed a trick by not re-signing him during the summer.
Joao Mario (remember him?) has been excluded from Inter Milan's Champions League squad and hasn't played a single minute in Serie A yet. Really do think that was a missed opportunity this summer not getting him back, especially after Lanzini's injury. Oh well.
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) September 7, 2018
Inkersole’s opinion was mirrored by plenty of the supporters on Twitter who stated their appreciation for Mario and regret over failing to bring him back to the London Stadium, despite reports from Italian media outlet Tuttosport (via Calciomercato) which claimed the playmaker was eager for a return to the Premier League.
And if Mario remains frozen out of the Inter squad in the next few months, West Ham might just be tempted to bolster their midfield options when the opportunity arises in January.
Here’s what the West Ham fans have had to say about Joao Mario on Twitter…
Defo should have gotten him bacj, was decent towards the end of his loan
— Kevin Lowe (@kevinlowe12345) September 7, 2018
@dannybbrown deffo should have got him on loan!
— Rob Stanley (@robstanley_) September 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/davewhu2/status/1038068685980790784
Really stupid from Pellegrini
— jj (@jeremiahhjoshua) September 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/ChrisCheeseman2/status/1038045493476122625
Yeah definitely, can't believe he's being wasted at Inter now. Like Sam said, especially with the Lanzini injury it's a big waste. He's completely different to what we signed in Anderson, Yarmo, Perez etc.
— Rob Stanley (@robstanley_) September 7, 2018
Yeah he was decent. Linked the midfield and forwards very well, missing that this season
— Danny Brown (@dannybbrown) September 7, 2018
I thought he really added a touch of class to what was a very poor side at times last year. Will never forget the limbs when he banged that goal in at Southampton! Come home @joaome17
— Andernautovic Yarmasnodarito (@barry_bettin) September 7, 2018
