Simone Zaza could not buy a goal last season. Last night he scored three in eight minutes.
This time last year it was already dawning on West Ham United that they had signed a dud.
Simone Zaza floundered during his loan spell, and frankly looked a terrible player, certainly not the striker they hoped they had signed.
Fortunately they were able to cancel the loan deal before their obligation to buy kicked in, and Zaza left without scoring a single goal.
He has since signed with Spanish side Valencia, and last night he had arguably the greatest match of his career.
Zaza scored a hat-trick against Malaga in a 5-0 thrashing, scoring all three goals in a remarkable eight minute spell.
The Italian was substituted after 66 minutes with the job done, netting his goals from 35 touches and six shots at goal.
Zaza had scored only once this season in four games before last night. Now his La Liga record is an impressive five in four.
He is La Liga’s second highest goalscorer, behind only Lionel Messi who has five goals.
It is a quite incredible transformation for a player who West Ham gave up on quickly, perhaps rightfully so. But few could begrudge his new lease of life in Spain.
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