“This happened at West Ham” – Player goes over Hammers difficulties which led to exit, much happier now

Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca has detailed what went wrong for him at West Ham United, after bouncing back from his struggles in Italy.

The striker has been speaking to Corriere dela Sera about his season and why he was unable to show his best form at West Ham.

The Italian joined West Ham in a €28.6m deal in July 2022 as David Moyes sought out the striker that his team have long needed.

Scamacca arrived with a growing reputation from Italy, where he had impressed with Sassuolo, bagging 16 goals in 41 games.

He failed to replicate that at West Ham, though, struggling to establish himself as the first-choice striker and finishing his sole season at the club with eight goals in 27 games.

Quickly sold back to Italy, Atalanta paid €25.5m to secure his signature ahead of the likes of Inter Milan.

That move has worked out for them as he managed 19 goals and eight assists in 44 games for the club last season and was a key player in them winning the Europa League.

Such numbers naturally raise questions about what went wrong at West Ham and Scamacca has now provided an answer.

“There is too much scepticism towards me,” he said.

“It’s not true that I’m not that bad. The truth is that many forget that injuries have penalised me. This happened last year at West Ham and in the first months at Atalanta. But now I’m fine.”