Hindsight is a wonderful thing, we came across this article from www.footballfancast.com last month giving five reasons why the Simone Zaza was such a clever move by West Ham. Maybe they will doing a follow up article very soon.
Guarantee of goals
Zaza has been impressive in Serie A the past number of seasons. His devastating form has seen him receive a call up to the Italian national squad where he has been a regular feature in the team since 2014. In his past two Serie A seasons, Zaza has scored 29 goals in just 58 appearances. If West Ham have ambitions to finish in the top seven once again, Zaza’s goals may prove pivotal to their campaign.
International Pedigree
Unlike many of West Ham’s players, Zaza will join the squad after having played for one of the best national teams in the world. Only Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini are on Zaza’s level internationally and the experience the trio will now hold may prove beneficial to West Ham as they look to have an even better season than last year.Zaza has played for one of the biggest teams in the world, so any experience he has earned domestically or internationally can only benefit Bilic’s boys.
An upgrade on current players
It’s not a shock to describe West Ham’s striking options as pathetic. Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll and Ashley Fletcher are all strikers who cannot compete with Zaza’s quality.With Carroll always on the injury table, Fletcher’s inexperience and Sakho was was wanted out by Bilic it now means Zaza is definitely the club’s best option as a forward. Andre Ayew will prove a valued competitor when he returns fit but his flexibility allows him to play in a number of positions.
A loan with the option to buy
In Premier League history there have been numerous forwards who have joined from Serie A and failed to cut the mustard. Regarding Zaza, West Ham have signed the 25 year-old on a loan deal with the option to buy.If Zaza does not prove an adequate player for West Ham’s ambitions then we may see the Hammers fail to meet the £25million option to buy.
He suits West Ham’s style
Zaza is a quick, strong and well-rounded left-footed forward, with solid technique and an eye for goal. A versatile and hard-working player, he is capable of playing both as a centre-forward and off another player as a second striker.Due to his physical attributes and his positional sense, he also excels in the air which will benefit the Hammers due to their constant physical and demanding play from wide positions.
I think the comments are fair enough, although Zaza hasn’t yet taken off for us, he has moved to a country very different to his own, is playing a very different type of football to that he has played previously and is playing in a vastly inferior team to Juventus that is also playing poorly. I hope if he plays he gets a goal or shows us the best and starts to reward the faith Bilic has in him COYI !!!