CaughtOffside » Diego Tristan

West Ham striker hopes improved performances lead to a new contract

Mr Comfort — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:59:39 +0000

This former Deportivo hitman has proved many people wrong in recent weeks.

Diego Tristan has revealed he will discuss his future with West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola at the end of the season.
The Spanish striker arrived at Upton Park on a free transfer earlier in the season but his current deal is set to expire in the summer.
Tristan has made it clear that he would like to remain with the Hammers and Zola recently admitted he was putting a strong case forward for a fresh contract.
The 33-year-old has produced a series of increasingly impressive performances and is determined to maintain his form for the final two matches of the campaign.
He is then looking forward to sitting down with Zola to speak about whether he will be staying.
“It is up in the air,” Tristan said. “I came with the idea of playing this season and then we’d see at the end of it. I will do my best in the games we have left and then we’ll see.
“I will speak to the manager and he will decide. I just hope that in these games I can keep playing well and help this team achieve their goal of qualifying for Europe.” (Sky Sports)

I have to admit i was surprised when West Ham decided to take a risk on the one time European Golden Boot winner and his early performances seem to confirm people’s worst fears that the Spanish international was way past his best. However the 33 year old knuckled down and waited for his chance and when Craig Bellamy was sold the Spanish international proved that he was up for the battle and still had something to offer and he has managed to ease the loss through injury of Carlton Cole by putting in some good efforts. I think he has more than managed to show what he is still capable of and will surely be offered another one year deal in the summer.

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West Ham sign former Spanish international: Shrewd bit of business on Zola’s part?

stresster — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:41:18 +0000

With an average of two goals every league match, the Hammers haven’t exactly been struggling for goals this season, although Dean Ashton’s injury means that they’ve looked a bit lightweight up top. Gianfranco Zola has acted to address this situation by bringing in a striker who has 14 caps for his national team and has played Champions League football.

Setanta report that West Ham have taken a punt on Diego Tristan, the forward who used to play for Deportivo La Coruna. The 32-year-old has impressed sufficiently to be awarded a short-term contract at Upton Park, and is delighted to have been given the chance to play in the Premier League.

“I’m happy with this agreement with West Ham United,” Tristan told setantasports.com.
“I have always been a huge Premier League fan and I did play well against English clubs during my time with Deportivo La Coruna.
“As a consequence I am hopeful I will experience the same luck.
“Zola persuaded me to sign and I though the project is good. The trial proved positive and people welcomed me warmly.
“For sure I want to pay that confidence back to my new club. The contract runs until the end of the season and it’s a massive aim for me at this time of my career. “

It appears as though Zola is proving something of a draw card for out-of-favour players, with David Di Michele provisionally on the West Ham books after making a loan move from Torino. Do Hammers fans like the sound of Tristan, or do you only expect him to make a few appearances from the bench this season? It will be interesting to see how many opportunities he gets.

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Spanish striker training with West Ham: Can he offer Zola something different?

stresster — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:18:42 +0000

Thirteen goals in their first six league games suggests that West Ham aren’t having too many problems putting the ball in the onion bag. David Di Michele has stepped up to the plate following the injury to Dean Ashton, while the likes of Carlton Cole and Craig Bellamy ensure that Gianfranco Zola has plenty of attacking options at the moment. It looks like there could be another forward trying to force his way into the reckoning.

Many of you will have heard the name Diego Tristan before. While the striker is 32, he’s played in the Champions League on several occasions for Deportivo La Coruna, and is hoping to get a chance in the Premier League with the Hammers. Setanta reports that the Spaniard is trying his utmost to impress Zola, hoping to get a permanent contract at the London club.

“If nothing changes, I will be training until Saturday. Then we will talk and take a firm decision,” Tristan told setantasports.com.
“I was looking for a team because I still believe I have a role in football. In Italy with Livorno I proved that I have still got plenty of gas left in the tank. I’m currently working with a personal trainer.
“Zola called me. He told me his plans and the situation with the team.
“I have come to prove myself and we will see how everything goes. My first impression is positive but it doesn’t just depend on me.
“I’ve had offers this summer from clubs in Europe but I haven’t been able to finalise anything for one reason or another.
“At this moment it is not a question of money but seeing if I can be useful to West Ham.”

Tristan is obviously something of an unknown quantity, and this trial may come to nothing. However, if Di Michele is anything to go by, then Zola has an eye for a decent striker and the Italian may just have unearthed another attacking option on the cheap. After all, we know that the West Ham finances are not the greatest right now, especially with the recent Sheffield United ruling.

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