Billy McKinlay shares Gianluca Scamacca admission at West Ham amid exit speculation
West Ham first-team coach Bill McKinlay has shared his views on wantaway Gianluca Scamacca claiming the club has never seen the best of the Italian striker through an injury-stunted debut season.
Speaking to The Athletic, McKinlay suggested that a disrupted season has made it difficult for Scamacca to settle in East London. The 24-year-old has recently spoken about his fondness for the current set-up of his boyhood side Roma [La Gazzetta dello Sport], fueling transfer rumour.
However, according to the report (13 July), West Ham feels that Scamacca has “unfinished business” at the London Stadium after just one season.
McKinlay said: “He had a bit of a disrupted season with one or two injuries which didn’t help him. It’s not easy settling into a new league, which is probably the hardest league in Europe physically and mentally.
“We didn’t see the best of him and he had a knee injury during the second half of last season. He’s come back and is still probably working up to full fitness.
“We’re delighted to have him back, he’s a top player and I’m sure we’ll see that in the coming weeks and months. He’ll really benefit from a consistent pre-season.
“Last summer he joined us right at the end (of the window) and missed large chunks of the work. He’s a top international and I’m sure we’ll get the benefit from that.”
“I’ve worked abroad so I understand the differences between the leagues and cultures. It’s up to us to support him and help develop his game. If you get niggling injuries and you end up missing training and games, then it becomes really difficult to get that momentum into your game.
“Gianluca is an intelligent boy, he wants to learn and we’re all here to help him.”
Early goodbye?
Rumours around Scamacca’s future have been rife this summer, with AS Roma being the most heavily linked club for the Italian international and his own ideal destination [Francesco Guerrieri].
But West Ham have made their stance clear, according to this report, and they believe the forward still has something to offer the club next season. The Hammers are not inundated with strikers and may perhaps look to this area to improve.
Scamacca has not lived up to expectations s far, but he has contributed some important and well-taken goals in both the Premier League and Europe and perhaps needed a season to settle into a new league.
However, when one of your players starts courting another club, it often spells the end of their time there. But this may be difficult as Roma are reportedly seeking a loan but West Ham wants a full transfer fee to recoup as much of the £34million they spent on him [La Reppublica].
McKinlay appears confident in his quotes regarding Scamacca and perhaps there is faith among West Ham staff that the former Sassuolo man can refind his ruthless form. But with just 0.29 non-penalty goals per 90 (41st percentile) and 2.33 shot-creating actions per 90 (50th percentile) [FBRef], Scamacca does have a tall hill to climb if he wants to be seen as a true goal threat next season.
But, there’s a reason why Jose Mourinho likes the striker [Calciomercato] and it is understandable that Scamacca may wave a handkerchief towards Roma while waving a white flag to West Ham.
A return to the Italian league may be in Scamacca’s best interest, but West Ham will not let go of their man too easily.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are becoming increasingly frustrated regarding the Declan Rice transfer saga amid document delays.