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Gianluca Scamcca told he's not playing enough for West Ham United amid exit talk
Italy manager Roberto Mancini has warned West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca that he needs to be playing more to warrant an international call-up for the Azzurri.
The Italian hitman has struggled since making his £35.5million switch from Sassuolo last summer, scoring just three goals in the league from 16 appearances, and has already been linked [Sport Mediaset, 9 March] with a move back to Italy, with Inter Milan interested.
David Moyes recently admitted that the striker’s “physical data” [13 March] is not at the level required to start games under him, following his injury trouble and has only appeared from the bench in their last two games since returning.
Mancini announces his Italy squad for the upcoming March internationals on Friday, according to The Mirror [15 March, page 54] and has admitted that Scamacca isn’t playing enough to warrant a call-up to his squad.
He said: “Raspadori is important for us. Scamacca is coming from an injury and he doesn’t play much either. They can improve only if they play.”
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It’s clear Scamacca’s first season in England hasn’t worked out as initially planned, but so have many other footballers who have made the move from Serie A to the Premier League.
It’s totally understandable that Mancini is hesitant to call him up for the upcoming Italy matches as he’s struggled for game time and confidence since his return from injury.
Also, the talented hitman has fan favourite Michail Antonio and Danny Ings to contend with for a starting spot which makes things even more difficult for the former Sassuolo man.
There is going to be summer interest in the forward, considering his struggles in his first year in England, but that doesn’t mean the Hammers should give up on him. They could be set to lose Antonio in the summer, which means there is a spot and hope for Scamacca to prove himself once again.
Scamacca was touted as one of Europe’s most coveted young forwards before his move. You don’t lose that title after just under a year of trying to find your place in a totally different environment. He clearly needs more time.