Simone Zaza proved a flop at West Ham United but he’s lethal in Spain.
The father and agent of former West Ham United striker Simone Zaza has told Calciomercato that it was a “huge mistake” for his son to join the Irons.
The Italian hitman joined West Ham on a season-long loan from Juventus last summer but failed to score in any of his 11 games, prompting manager Slaven Bilic to cancel the loan.
But it seems clear that failing to adapt to life in East London – including the weather, according to his dad – does not make the 26-year-old a poor player and he has since proven himself lethal in front of goal in Spain.
This season, Zaza has netted six goals in seven Primera Division games for Valencia, but his father, Antonio, says that his son was unhappy with a number of things in England, including Bilic’s formation.
He told Calciomercato: “It was a huge mistake. Simone was still concerned by the penalty he missed with Italy at the time and he fail to settle in well in London.
“He was not happy with the weather and with the formation of his ex boss. Moving to Spain was the best ever decision for him.”
It is easy to blame Bilic but the reality is that some foreign imports simply don’t adapt well to life in English football and there is little to suggest that Zaza’s failing is limited to formation.
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