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Angelo Ogbonna claims it’s West Ham summer singing Simone Zaza’s turn to be a game-changer

West Ham United's Angelo Ogbonna in action with Accrington Stanley's Billy Kee (REUTERS)
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West Ham United beat Sunderland 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.

West Ham United's Angelo Ogbonna in action with Accrington Stanley's Billy KeeWest Ham United’s Angelo Ogbonna in action with Accrington Stanley’s Billy Kee

West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna has told The Mirror that it’s Simone Zaza’s turn to change a match for the Hammers.

Slaven Bilic’s men were in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as they hosted Sunderland at the London Stadium, a week after picking up just their second league win of the season with a 1-0 away victory over Crystal Palace.

West Ham United's Darren Randolph and West Ham United's Angelo Ogbonna in action with FC Astra Giurgiu's Denis AlibecWest Ham United’s Darren Randolph and West Ham United’s Angelo Ogbonna in action with FC Astra Giurgiu’s Denis Alibec

West Ham dominated much of the game against Sunderland, and with the game heading towards a draw, Winston Reid drove the ball home to hand Bilic another 1-0 victory.

With two wins in a row, West Ham are moving in the right direction after a slow start to the season, and they didn’t have to rely on Dimitri Payet to bail them out as he did against Middlesbrough earlier this month.

Angelo Ogbonna celebrates scoring the second goal for West HamAngelo Ogbonna celebrates scoring for West Ham

Payet did set up Reid’s winner, but it was a simple pass across the box rather than a moment of individual brilliance like that solo goal against Boro, and defender Angelo Ogbonna has now offered his verdict on the game.

Speaking to The Mirror, Ogbonna stated that West Ham have many good players that they can depend upon in big moments, not just Payet; from goalscorer Reid to playmaker Manuel Lanzini, as well as midfielder Pedro Obiang.

West Ham United's Simone Zaza looks dejectedWest Ham United’s Simone Zaza looks dejected

Ogbonna also named Zaza as a player he is expecting to become a game-changers, claiming that it is ‘his turn’ to change a game for West Ham.

Zaza has struggled at West Ham so far, failing to hit the net for the Hammers since joining from Juventus in August, but his Italian international team-mate Ogbonna has offered his support to the striker.

“We have good players too,” said Ogbonna. “The expectation is high. Everyone knows Dimi can change the match sometimes, but not just Dimi. Today Reidy changed the match. Maybe Pedro Obiang. Maybe Manuel Lanzini. We are expecting Simone Zaza too. It is his turn,” he added.

Do you think Zaza can become a game-changer for West Ham?