West Ham United’s summer signing Fabian Balbuena has revealed his aim of making a strong impression among the club’s faithful just like ex-player Carlos Tevez. The former Argentina international was a relatively unknown across the footballing world until his short stint at West Ham United between 2007 and 2008 where he scored a crucial final day winner at Manchester United to help them beat the drop.

Speaking to reporters, Balbuena highlighted that the likes of Tevez and compatriot Javier Mascherano have had a huge impact of young and upcoming players in South America and he hopes to follow the same path to success, he said: “Argentina’s players are of course an example for a lot of South American players. We know the quality of Mascherano and Tevez when they arrived here. They played very well and had a good season and then they went on to play in big teams.

“So all of us as players have had the target to play in big teams and grow up as people. I remember some games. Especially when West Ham won at Manchester United. Tevez scored the goal. So when he arrived in England at West Ham. I think the people in South America ­believed Tevez could play in a big team.”

“Balbuena was regarded as a good coup for the Hammers during the summer transfer window “and he has been ever-present for them during the opening 12 games of the Premier League campaign. Out of those, he has had some standout performances including one during the surprise 3-1 “triumph over Manchester United “at the London Stadium.

Nonetheless, he can expect a tough challenge over the weekend with league leaders Manchester City making the trip. The Citizens have beaten the Hammers in their previous five matches across all competitions while scoring an average of three goals in the process. The most recent meeting at the London Stadium saw City win by a comfortable 4-1 scoreline.