Simone Zaza never managed a Premier League goal for West Ham United but scored for Italy in their friendly against Holland in Turin on Monday.
Even looking back now, it is difficult to judge Simone Zaza’s time at West Ham United.
The Italian striker famously played just eight Premier League games for the Hammers without managing to produce a shot on target, let alone a goal.
But Zaza’s subsequent run of form in La Liga for Valencia shows there is nothing wrong with his ability or his goal-scoring instincts. Since swapping the Old Lady for Los Che in January 2017, the 26-year-old has scored 19 goals, helping the perennial underachievers Valencia return to the Champions League.
No wonder, then, that West Ham fans are divided on their opinion of Zaza. While his wild miskicks and dejected frown will remain the abiding memory for some, there is certainly a case to be argued that he was poorly managed in claret and blue.
A goal for Italy in the 1-1 draw against Holland on Monday night, scored with his first touch just four minutes after leaving the bench, has reminded West Ham fans just what they were missing and reignited the debate about one of the club’s oddest signings.
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