IT was not long ago that Gianluca Scamacca looked destined to be just another name on that very long list of failed West Ham strikers.
In and out after a year in East London with team-mates accusing him of not being a fighter and representatives terminating his deal over a lack of trust.
It looked a long way back.
But with West Ham now facing the end of their three year European journey, Scamacca has left Stratford and kicked on – now one step from the Europa League final in Dublin.
Scamacca joined the Hammers almost two years ago in a £30.5million deal from Sassuolo.
There was initial hope behind the scenes, the Italian had looked impressive in training with David Moyes and his coaches taken aback by some of his finishing.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
But it never truly translated into English football.
He saw success in Europe, scoring three goals in seven Europa Conference League appearances as the Hammers went on to lift the trophy in Prague.
But there were just three in 16 Premier League outings before a knee injury curtailed Scamacca’s one and only season early.
Just like Sebastien Haller, Lucas Perez and Javier Hernandez before him, the confident forward was added to West Ham’s strikers scrap heap – sold to Atalanta for £27m last summer.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
There were reasons for his struggles. Scamacca arrived late in the window, missing an all important pre-season with his new club and said he played most of the season with a broken meniscus before finally giving in and undergoing surgery.
But there were issues all around, too. Michail Antonio publicly stated that his rival for the centre-forward spot did not suit Moyes’ style and that he was not a fighter.
Scamacca was dropped by the agency which had secured him a move to the Premier League, with World Soccer Agency declaring brutally: “there was no longer the trust necessary for a healthy professional relationship.”
It all pointed to a move and an end to his time at West Ham, though there were issues there too. In an interview back in Italy last summer, while still a West Ham player, Scamacca spoke about a potential move to Roma and how Jose Mourinho would “stimulate” him more as a manager.
Moyes must have loved reading that one.
There have been issues at international level too. Scamacca has 15 Italy caps and one goal, against England, but was dropped from the last squad after staying up all night playing PlayStation ahead of a crucial Euros qualifier against Ukraine in November.
Boss Luciano Spalletti said: “If someone wants to waste their time, that’s their choice. But then don’t come on my national team.”
Things, however, appear to have turned a corner.
Scamacca helped down Liverpool to reach the last four of the Europa League where Atalanta are level at 1-1 from the first leg with Marseille in which he scored the opener.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Spalletti’s tough love appears to have worked. Since March 6 only Cole Palmer and Harry Kane have been more prolific in Europe than the striker, who has ten goals in all competitions.
He looks destined not only for a special end to the season domestically but also on course to return to the international fold ahead of Euro 2024.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
