OPINION
West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini must realise that he would be absolutely crazy not to hand midfielder Samir Nasri a starting berth after the international break following his game-changing impact against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
The Frenchman entered the fray at the hour mark with the Hammers starting down the barrel of a shock defeat. However, he was one of the two catalysts – alongside Javier Hernandez – in the team’s remarkable comeback which saw them steal a 4-3 victory.
Pellegrini’s team were crying out for some creativity for a full hour on Saturday. They were absolutely woeful for much of the game and couldn’t fashion any real chances against the struggling Terriers.
It was a different story once Nasri came on, though. He provided the impetus that the team needed, working between the lines and producing some terrific passes and bits of skill.
His cross for Hernandez’s first goal was absolutely exquisite. He put it on a plate for the Mexican and ensured that his teammate couldn’t miss. That was a pivotal moment in the game as it drew the Hammers level and gave them the belief that they could grab an unlikely three points at the London Stadium.
Pellegrini would be out of his mind not to start the 31-year-old against Everton next time out. He is what this West Ham team have been missing, a little magician who can open the door when the opposition is furiously trying to keep it shut.
Felipe Anderson hasn’t been cutting the mustard in recent months, that’s obvious. The Brazilian enjoyed a terrific festive period, but it appears that he might have overdone it on the eggnog because he’s not been the same since the turn of the year.
Nasri, on the other hand, showed that he can very much make the difference on Saturday. Pellegrini must place him front and centre after the international break – he’d be a fool not to.