It might sound like pure nostalgia-fuelled madness, but the idea of Carlos Tevez returning to West Ham for one last dance is not as crazy as it sounds if you’ve just watched Soccer Aid.
With the Hammers crying out for a spark and the club pleading poverty due to PSR, they could do a lot worse than cult hero Carlos Tevez – and I’m only half joking.
The Argentine will always be an icon in east London and clearly it’s never going to happen.
But any West Ham fan watching Soccer Aid at Old Trafford on Sunday night could be forgiven for allowing themselves to dream of the second coming of Tevez.
One last dance for West Ham and cult hero Carlos Tevez?
Tevez made memories to last a lifetime when he almost single-handedly kept West Ham in the Premier League during the Great Escape all the way back in 2007.
His time at West Ham was short-lived but the club left its mark on him as much as Tevez did on it.
Tevez always said he felt he had unfinished business at West Ham and hoped to return one day, as reported at the time by The Daily Mail.
“Their supporters feel football; they are passionate, these people invested great support in me,” Tevez said.
“I wish to play again for West Ham before I finish my career. I have some unfinished business there.”
They say never go back but what Tevez just did aged 41 at Soccer Aid was so brilliant it’s not as fanciful as it might sound for one last dance at West Ham.
Tevez came on in the second half for the World XI against England.
Not only did he look in the best shape of his life – lean, fit and as light on his feet as ever – but he scored FOUR goals to turn the game on its head as the World XI won 5-4.
Tevez looks in the best shape of his life as he rolls back the years
For context, Tevez is only a few months older than Lukas Fabianski and the same age as Teddy Sheringham when he was playing for the Hammers.
Clearly it’s never going to happen and it’s all a bit of tongue-in-cheek fun.
But for context. Tevez was far and away the best player on show, making former Hammers Jermain Defoe and Jack Wilshere look like old men by comparison.
Tevez was chasing back and harrying like a mad man – just as he did during his pro days.
His finishing – including a trademark free-kick – was sublime as was his skill and strength.
Tevez was a joy to watch and it was a lovely trip down memory lane for any Hammers fans tuning in.
Especially after what’s been served up at West Ham over the last 18 months.
It could even be argued he was more mobile and agile than some of West Ham’s current players.
Cash-strapped Hammers could do a lot worse than Tevez
The Hammers have been linked with some ageing, journeymen forwards such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Callum Wilson as they look to sign a new striker or two.
They also have a big decision to make over whether to hand a new deal to Michail Antonio, who turns 36 next season.
Tevez would give all of them a run for their money on this evidence.
Sporting director Mark Noble named Tevez as one of the best five West Ham stars he played with.
We’ve all just had a reminder why.
With no money for signings, how about one last dance for Tevez and West Ham? And I’m only half joking!
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