Gianluca Scamacca backed to do the ‘impossible’ and usurp Michail Antonio at West Ham United
Gianluca Scamacca had to remain patient after his West Ham switch, but the Italian striker is now firing on all cylinders.
There were high expectations for Scamacca following his £35.5million move in the summer [Sky Sports], but the 23-year-old forward is already beginning to exceed them.
The Italian was sparingly used by David Moyes following the move, with the Scot preferring to only start him in the Europa Conference League. But Scamacca’s form was too good to ignore, and that could spell trouble for Michail Antonio.
The clash against Fulham over the weekend marked back-to-back starts for Scamacca, with Moyes dropping Antonio to the bench.
Should he continue his form in east London, journalist Dean Jones believes Scamacca can “usurp” Antonio as West Ham’s first-choice striker.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones said: “A year or so ago, it seemed impossible that anyone would ever usurp Antonio as West Ham’s first-choice striker, even when he wasn’t scoring.
“He gives you so much else, his work rate and dependability and the fact that he just bothers defenders for 90 minutes was so important to West Ham.
“But ultimately, the club needs goals and it’s important to try and get Scamacca out there firing, so I think he does have a genuine chance to get a run in the team, if he keeps his form going.”
Too good to leave out
Regardless of Antonio’s performances last season, the truth is that he has underperformed this season.
The Hammers endured a torrid start to the season, and many of last year’s stars were simply not doing enough.
Moyes was criticised for sticking with last season’s lineup time and time again, but his implementation of the new summer signings has been superb.
Both Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta have been slowly introduced to the lineup and now look to be two of the first names on Moyes’ teamsheet.
Scamacca now boasts six goals from 12 games, and has won every game in which he’s started for West Ham. Moyes would be stupid to not take advantage of that while he can.
Frankly, a new striker in the summer was necessary as Antonio was being too heavily used up front last season. Scamacca’s form means he can finally be rested and recharge his batteries.
There’s no doubt Antonio will quickly want to regain his starting position, but as of now there’s not even an argument – Scamacca gets the nod.