Simone Zaza: Why the Italian is just a temporary fix for West Ham
Date
8/30/2016 2:47:35 AM
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Simone Zaza (photo: West ham United)
By Brian Humphrey
West Ham United have officially confirmed the signing of Italy striker Simone Zaza from Serie A giant Juventus.
The 25-year old has joined the London based club on a season-long loan for a reported £5 million, with the possibility of a permanent transfer for a further £20 million should he register a given number of appearances for the club.
Early life
Born Simone Zaza on 25 June 1991 in Policoro, Italy, he spent his youth days with Stella Azzura Bernalda, Valdera and Atalanta.
He received his first call up with the Atalanta senior team in 2008, but left two years later after registering a mere two appearances during the period.
The story was the same at Sampdoria Juve Stabia and Viareggio, but his performances seemed to improve with subsequent switches.
His impressive predator-like skills in the final third saw him register career high numbers at Ascoli and Sassuolo before Juventus came begging in 2015.
He scored 8 goals in 24 appearances for the Old Lady of Turin before his latest move to England.
Could he be the starting option for the Hammers?
Zaza becomes West Ham";s eleventh signing of the summer, as Slaven Bilic looks to rebuild on last season";s impressive run that not only saw them qualify for the Europa League but also finish with an all-time high of 62-points.
The forward isn";t entirely oblivious of his new club, as he scored the winner for Juventus during their pre-season friendly with the Hammers earlier in the month at the London Olympic Stadium.
He may occasionally pull off bizarre decisions during a match- case in point his unorthodox run that led to a bewildering penalty miss in the shoot-out against Germany in the Euros- but his performances can only get better under Bilic.
However, it";s hard seeing Zaza being nothing more than a temporary replacement for the injured, club record signing Andre Ayew.
He may enjoy the starting rights at the first half of the season, but the Italian is only keeping the seat warm for the veteran Ghanaian striker who could be out with an injury for close to four months.
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