[all_funkt_up]

Mascherano couldnt even get in the team at West Ham. Im sure they had Reo-Cock-End and Hayden Mullins playing instead.

As for why its taken so long to complete - I would say the ownership crisis is the reason. The transfer fee itself was agreed and set in stone in January 2007 so its not a case of haggling over the value or them trying to ramp the price up. Equally, Masche was keen to sign on the dotted line himself - but like anyone selling a business, there's a reluctance to invest any money.

I think Hicks and Gilette delayed with the deal because they didnt want to do anything to make the club a less sale-able asset.