Soon to be confirmed West Ham signing, Pablo Barrera, has already upset fans potentially by declaring that he intends to use the club as simply a stepping stone to further his career.

A work permit is the only thing stopping Barrera’s announcement from being official as he completes the move from Mexican side Pumas UNAM for £4m. However the 23-year-old has said about the move to East London:

“To perform for West Ham and then move to a bigger team in Europe are my goals. I want to show what I'm made of and then succeed in Europe.”

He added: “My agent told me they are signing players to get better. For me, it's just cool to play football in Europe because it's a dream I have had since before the World Cup.” (Sun)

Hammers fans have already been frustrated by the amount of players the club has been linked with and failed to sign and this comment by Barrera doesn’t help matters. In all probability if the Mexican comes to West Ham and plays really well then chances are he may join another side, but he didn’t need to say this and should have shown more respect towards the club. A lot of players have relished the chance to pull on the claret and blue shirt and Barrera should be no exception. West Ham have already had their share of prima donnas and they don’t need yet another one.

The Mexican is only the club’s second summer signing and they have found it very difficult to attract players to the club so far. The squad needs a lot of work done to it after the team very narrowly avoided relegation last season, manager Avram Grant will be keen to get new players in as soon as he can so he can start to work with a settled group of players.

Players have in the past moved to clubs in the Premiership and proclaimed to use them as a stepping stone and it can lead them trying too hard to impress others and not playing their usual game, and subsequently not playing well. Dennis Rommedahl made similar comments when he joined Charlton Athletic in 2004 and became a Premiership flop, so Pablo Barrera will be eager not to follow in the Dane’s footsteps.

Barrera has the potential to be a great player for West Ham as he looked like a very skilful and tricky winger at the World Cup for Mexico. Hammers fans like an exciting player and the Mexican is just that and he could become a real fans favourite, but he must learn to keep his mouth shut and think about the now which is West Ham rather than what could be in the future.

What do you make of Pablo Barrera's comments?

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