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Why Swap A General For A Sergeant?

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 07/06/2021 - 10:36

Confusing reports are emanating from our old 'fleecer' Manuel Pellegrini's new club Real Betis, apparently Hammers are 'interested' in bringing Real's Aissa Mandi to the London Stadium from Spain. The 60-capped Algeria international has been heavily linked with a move to Villarreal this summer on a free transfer but as yet, nothing has been confirmed. The 29-year-old was valued at around £9 million recently, but is set to leave Betis for nothing this summer, as the centre-back has failed to agree terms on his new deal.

Meanwhile back in the UK, Fabian Balbuena, AKA 'The General' looks set to be travelling in the opposite direction, to Real Betis to link up with his former manager Pellegrini. While these events are not extraordinary in particular, it does beggar the question, why?

Ok, 'Mandi' looks to be a decent player, but is he that much better than Balbuena? We doubt it, it seems as if the General is departing because 'his face doesn't fit', an unpleasant aspect of having been directly associated with Pellegrini. One by one Pellegrini's acquisitions are being shown the door by David Moyes, only Issa Diop, Pablo Fornals and Lukasz Fabianski remain at the club, although Pellegrini's other profligacy Felipe Anderson is due to return from his spectacularly poor loan spell at Porto, which saw his value plummet even further!

Signing Mandi for no transfer fee would, on the face of it, undoubtedly appeal to Moyes and the board, however it does seem like 'much ado about nothing', replacing a like for like centre back. Perhaps David Moyes has a 'cunning plan' in mind and Mandi fits the bill, although it should be remembered that Winston Reid is still on the clubs books for a further TWO years!

David Moyes has already stated that he would like to conclude the club's business BEFORE the Euro's, well, he doesn't have much time left does he? Getting Mandi in would be a start, but a slightly inauspicious one considering the squad's urgent requirements, it is to be hoped that Hammers can at least bring one or two in sooner rather than later, not just replace like for like. - Ed

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Deluded Hammer's picture

And think we're silly to let him go unless he's had enough of Moyes treatment of him which would be perfectly understandable. He knows, and is good enough for the Premier League and is an invaluable squad player in what is turning out to look like a Dad's Army position.

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23 users have voted.
nevillenixon's picture

I too always liked Balbuena, but it appears as if Moyes really doesn't like to be involved with Pellegrini signings, and he also seemed to think hat teh general roamed forward too much.

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21 users have voted.
boogerscaravan's picture

Balbuena was a good player, no question. But I suppose there must be a plan going forward, I say suppose, I would bloody hope so?

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24 users have voted.

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