West Ham: Moyes was sacked by a “disappointing” striker who cost £5 million each goal.
David Moyes oversaw a successful summer of business this year, but not all of his recent additions have lived up to expectations
West Ham United appear to be on the right track under David Moyes, following their problems in the 2022/23 Premier League season.
Last season, the Hammers were on the verge of relegation at times, but their league woes were swiftly forgotten because to their historic success in the Europa Conference League in May.
Moyes won the east Londoners their first European title since 1965, which appears to have motivated the side to strive for further success, as evidenced by their promising start to the 2023/24 season.
The Irons have won four of their first eight games, losing only twice, demonstrating their growth over the summer, which has been aided by the remarkable business done in the transfer window.
West Ham’s new signings, from Mohammed Kudus to James Ward-Prowse, have adjusted in well to life at the London Stadium, but it wasn’t just the incomings that made headlines this summer.
Unfortunately for some, adjusting to the Premier League and Moyes’ style of play did not come easily, as the Hammers parted ways with one of their biggest signings of 2022.
When did Gianluca Scamacca join West Ham?
West Ham announced the signing of Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo on a five-year contract with an option for a sixth year in July 2022.
The Irons paid the Italian club £35.5 million for the 23-year-old, who had showed blazing form in his homeland, prompting Moyes to complete a deal for the promising youngster.
Scamacca expressed his delight to join the east Londoners at the time of his arrival, adding that West Ham was the “perfect team” for him to develop and impress.
Scamacca was signed by West Ham for what reason?
According to Moyes, as recounted by Sky Sports, the Irons were “looking to add more strength” to their attack, which is where Scamacca’s talents were “highly recommended.”
The 2021/22 season was pivotal in the Italian’s move to the Premier League, as he established himself in Serie A by scoring 16 goals in 36 appearances for Sassuolo, placing him sixth in the scoring lists alongside Lautaro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic.
While that season was crucial in his decision to join West Ham, the forward’s potential was emphasized the year before his 16-goal run, with talent scout Jacek Kulig describing him as a “clinical finisher” at the age of 21.
By signing him on a five-year contract at the age of 23, the Irons made a statement of intent to use the striker’s full potential in the Premier League, but the ideas were far brighter than the action when it came to Scamacca’s development.
Gianluca Scamacca’s salary at West Ham?
Not only did the forward make a good professional choice by leaving the nest and joining one of the world’s most competitive leagues, but he also increased his salary by signing a deal with West Ham.
Scamacca was earning roughly £24k per week at Sassuolo, which amounted to £1.2m per year, not a bad wage packet for a 23-year-old, but nothing compared to the sum he was presented with in east London.
The striker earned £90,000 per week at West Ham, earning £4.6 million per year, making him one of the club’s highest-paid players, earning the fifth-highest salary during the 2022/23 season.
Giving Scamacca such a hefty salary only served to highlight how highly the Hammers regarded their new signing, but it was a different story when it came to demonstrating how highly they regarded him on the field.
