West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic will not be handing penalty duty over to new signing Simone Zaza.
Italy’s Simone Zaza misses in the penalty shootout
Slaven Bilic was quick to dismiss the prospect of new boy Simone Zaza taking any penalties for West Ham United this season, in comments appearing on Sky Sports News.
The Italian joined from Juventus on loan during the summer transfer window following his ridiculous penalty miss for the Azzurri against Germany at Euro 2016.
The penalty was unorthodox to say the least with the 25-year-old striker opting for a odd stuttering run before ballooning his spot-kick well over German stopper Manuel Neuer’s crossbar.
Italy’s Simone Zaza misses during the penalty shootout
The miss is made worse by the fact that Zaza was brought on in the last minute of extra-time especially to take a penalty which is undoubtedly a decision that now Chelsea boss Antonio Conte regrets.
And ahead of today’s match with Watford at the London Stadium (3pm kick-off), Bilic was questioned whether he would let Zaza take penalties for his side – needless to say his response was predictable.
“Will he take penalties? No, no,” Bilic told Sky Sports News.
“We have a good penalty taker already, a great one. And we don’t get that many penalties anyway. We’d like more!”
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers’ current penalty taker is captain Mark Noble who has a commendable record from the spot unlike the club’s new Italian import.
West Ham currently sit 12th in the table with one win and two losses and they will be hoping to improve on last season’s impressive campaign at their new home.
West Ham’s Olympic Stadium
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