West Ham United announced their return to European competition in style last night.
David Moyes’s side secured a fantastic 2-0 win away to Dinamo Zagreb in their Europa League opener.
This was West Ham’s first clash on the continent since 2006 when they were dumped out of the UEFA Cup at the qualification stage by Palermo.
Goals from Michail Antonio and Declan Rice – who ran half the pitch to score a second – was enough for the Hammers last night.
But Nikola Vlasic certainly deserves a mention.
Making his full West Ham debut since joining during the summer, the Croatia international impressed in a big way during his 69 minutes on the field, before being replaced by Jarrod Bowen after tiring somewhat.
And Moyes has told Football London afterwards he’s hopeful that the former Everton youngster can be a ‘really top Premier League player in the future’.
He said: “He’s a brilliant boy. He is great, youwill know that much better than me,he has a fantastic attitude, committed, determined, and he will be good for us. What I want is his goals, I want his assists. I want all that whether he plays 7, 10 or 11.
“We’ll bring him on and hopefully have a really top Premier League player in the future.”
Still only 23, Vlasic may well have a big future in England indeed.
Of course, he has already played in the Premier League following a mixed previous spell with Everton, but he’s much more mature and well rounded now.
West Ham are home to Manchester United on Sunday and what a way that would be to endear yourself to your new supporters, by scoring – and winning – against Cristiano Ronaldo and co.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
