I’m not entirely sure we’ll ever truly find out, but the sighting of Gianluca Scamacca is a mystery. Not just any old mystery either, it’s a flummoxing, baffling signing of puzzling proportions.
I just don’t get it, who would sanction the signing of a footballer so blatantly unsuited to West Ham? When Scamacca was tearing it up at Sassuolo with Giacomo Raspadori, did nobody notice his traits? Was there anyone involved in the process who highlighted his unsuitability to David Moyes style?
The £35 million Italian is a fine player, of that I have no doubt, However he lacks the ability to stretch a defence or operate in wide areas. As a result of these deficiencies, he’s unable to thrive in Moyes isolated single striker system.
Striker strategy a mystery
I’m baffled that we’d chase Darwin Nunez and Armando Broja but purchase somebody who can’t play like them. Perhaps the purchase was a collective collective decision? One or all of David Sullivan, David Moyes and Rob Newman must have pushed for the signing.
Anyway, whoever is to blame, we’re suffering the fallout now. West Ham need to offload the player but are insistent on a sale rather than a loan. Unfortunately the players value has depreciated as a result of a poor and injury stricken season.
Irrespective of injury, West Ham can’t keep the player and hope for better next season. Scamacca won’t suddenly become quick and it’s highly unlikely Moyes will player with two strikers.
Position of weakness
The Hammers are able to play hardball with the Declan Rice negotiations. However we don’t enjoy the same level of authority when it comes to the sale of Scamacca. The Italian clubs know West Ham are not in a position of strength, and are acutely aware the player wants out.
It’s an awful bargaining position and one from which terms cannot be dictated.
The situation with Scamacca was a predictable as it was avoidable. In recent times West Ham have signed excellent strikers in Scamacca, Haller, Chicharito and Danny Ings. Yet continually these players seem to fail at the London Stadium but thrive elsewhere.
I don’t know who is culpable for these continued expensive failings. But Scamacca is highly likely thrive upon his Hammers departure and that is unacceptable.
