The 23-year-old forward has so far found first team opportunities hard to come by, making eight appearances since signing on loan from Uruguayan outfit Deportivo Maldonado.
However, having scored his first goal in Claret and Blue during the convincing 3-1 victory away at Middlesbrough, Calleri explained how he’s hoping to follow Tevez’s footsteps into West Ham folklore.
He said: “Yes, I spoke to Carlos Tevez. When he first arrived here at West Ham he was in a similar situation to what I’m in.
“He said it was hard for him at first, the coach changed, and there was a time when he wanted to leave but he stayed and turned the situation around.
“Obviously we’re not the same player, I believe Carlos Tevez is an absolutely fantastic player so I want to take his advice and follow in his footsteps.”
Looking back, it’s hard to believe it took ‘Carlitos’, twenty games to first find the back of the net, before hitting a purple patch that saved the Hammers from relegation.
Now sixth months into life in east London, Calleri freely admits that his time as a Hammer has been stop start so far.
I believe Carlos Tevez is an absolutely fantastic player so I want to take his advice and follow in his footsteps.
Jonathan Calleri
He continued: “I knew when I arrived it was going to take some time to settle in. When I signed I was expecting a tough six months, but I’ve learnt a lot and it has been a great experience. I am working hard and trying to take the opportunities when they come.”
And it would appear that Calleri’s first Hammers’ goal which wrapped up the 3-1 victory at the Riverside has done him the world of good.
Speaking with renewed conviction, he said: “Scoring my first goal was a big boost for my confidence, to score my first goal in the Premier League but also European football, it is something I was very motivated to do.”
His manager, Slaven Bilic, evidently believes in the young striker as he decided against bolstering his frontline during the transfer window, happy with Calleri as one of his options alongside Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew, Ashley Fletcher and Diafra Sakho.
During the window, Calleri confirmed that he had had a full and frank conversation with Bilic, where the boss reiterated his faith: “Yes, I did speak to the manager. He told me the truth, he said he had faith in me. He couldn’t promise me anything because it’s difficult to do that in football but he said if I work hard and train well, I will get my chances.
“I believe in myself and my ability. I am looking forward to the second half of the season and excited for the future. I will take things step by step and learn all I can from the top players we have here.
“I am on a one year loan, now I am very confident that I can give more to the team and break into the starting XI. It hasn’t happened yet but I know I can do it.”