West Ham star privately confesses Gianluca Scamacca was club’s ‘best player in training’ before exit
Gianluca Scamacca was “the best player in training” during his spell at West Ham United, a player at the club has confessed.
Speaking to the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, WHFTV host Nicky Hawkins revealed that an unnamed West Ham star privately told him that the Italian had exceptional application in training sessions and added that he was baffled as to why the striker struggled for minutes.
“Scamacca was at a decent age,” Hawkins told the Inside Track podcast.
“He was in his mid-twenties and I thought he was very good on the ball – there were things Premier League clubs could have done with him.
“I spoke to a player last summer who’d played with him at West Ham.
“He said he was the best person in training – absolute quality.
“He said he can’t see why he couldn’t get games.”
Scamacca left West Ham last summer after just one season to join Serie A side Atalanta for a reported fee of £22.5million.
Despite arriving from Sassuolo for a reported £35.5million, the striker failed to make a significant impact at the London Stadium.
Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca was the “best player in training” – but David Moyes still didn’t fancy him
He bagged eight goals across 27 appearances in all competitions and just three in the Premier League.
Scamacca started just 11 league games under David Moyes amid poor form and recurring injury issues.
The 25-year-old did not make a single league appearance from mid-January after a season-ending setback.
He also faced criticism from Moyes, who demanded more “output” from their marquee summer signing.
Following a lacklustre debut in English football, Scamacca pushed for a move back to Italy where he has scored seven goals in 24 total appearances.
West Ham sit ninth in the Premier League table after their 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday (17 February).
They are next in action against Brentford at the London Stadium on Monday night (26 February).
In other news, West Ham eye Championship ace as new Sunderland valuation revealed – Sources.
For more West Ham and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.