Argentine denies West Ham trial

Argentine striker happy in South America

By Patricio Figueroa   Last updated: 16th January 2008

Alan Curbishley

Curbishley: No Mazzola trial

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Independiente striker Nicolas Mazzola has denied that he has undergone a trial at West Ham.

It had been rumoured that West Ham manager Alan Curbishley had offered the 18-year-old forward the opportunity to impress at Upton Park as he bids to bolster his squad.

Mazzola - who has yet to play a league game for Argentine outfit Independiente - insists he has not been to West Ham, but has hinted that he would be interested in a transfer to the Premier League in the future.

"I have been told that in England the coach of West Ham spoke about me but I haven't been there," Mazzola told Ole.

Proposal

"I know that Independiente have received several proposals but they have all been refused. It wasn't nice to know that something had been invented about me.

"I like English football, the way it is played. I also like Italian football but now it is not the same as other years.

"If I'm asked if I would like to be transferred now I would say yes, but I still haven't played in the Argentinian Premier Division.

"My objective is to keep working with the first team and make myself known in the country before playing abroad."

Faith

Meanwhile, Carlton Cole has thanked Curbishley for showing faith in him and the striker believes he is now beginning to forge a good partnership with fellow forward Dean Ashton.

"This is the first time ever I've had 15 games back-to-back in my whole career," said Cole. "Curbs has given me the opportunity to do so. I'm so happy right now and I couldn't be in a better place.

"Everyone needs a manager who will stick by them through thick and thin, and usually players do find that a manager like Curbs is like that.

"Deano linked up well against Fulham. It's not been like that in prior games but we really were linking up."