From West Ham Reserves to the Nou Camp

Rafa Benitez has said that he hasn't ruled out Mascherano playing against Barcelona tonight. Whilst I can't believe that Liverpool will risk throwing him into such an important game it does highlight West Ham's complete mishandling of an obvious talent. Looking at West Ham's complete absence of a central midfield this season the mind boggles at how Mascherano was completely overlooked by both Pardew and Curbishley.

Unfortunately the only logical conclusion is that West Ham were aware that his contract with the club broke Premier League rules. Which does not bode well for the Premier League's ongoing investigation into West Ham's fielding of ineligible players.

The good news for Mascherano is that Liverpool are rumoured to have paid Joorbachian £10 million so that they own the player outright. This obviously frees the Argentinian from the idiot who got him into this mess in the first place. Unfortunately it means Joorbachian has become a very rich man from his complete mishandling of the player.