He might not have set the world alight at West Ham, but Simone Zaza will make a great quiz question answer one day.
The Italian striker scored his only London Stadium goal in his first game there, but it came in a Juventus shirt in a pre-season friendly.
After signing on loan for the Hammers, he failed to find the net in 11 appearances before his move was cut short and Juve loaned him to Valencia.
He must have been worried things might be going the same way when his first four games for Los Che produced more of the same, but his fifth appearance – and second start – finally produced his first goal in a competitive game since May 1 last year.
https://twitter.com/SerieA_English/status/833348884021776384
Zaza beat the Athletic Club offside trap to slot home for the hosts with the type of finish some West Ham fans might have thought they were getting.
However, after watching the Italy international huff and puff in front of goal for a few months, there were plenty who thought he wasn’t going to ever score again…until he did.
https://twitter.com/Undisputed_Jsam/status/833352423104249856
Zaza just scored? pic.twitter.com/0ip4oNEMro
— H Evz (@HEvzWhu) February 19, 2017
Simone Zaza has actually scored a goal
— Daniel Bartlett (@DanBartlett83) February 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/ffsKyIe/status/833347398743314432
His barren run had seemingly confused at least one fan, who has imagined a goal-heavy Inter spell from a man who has never played for the Milanese club.
https://twitter.com/JackHdixon/status/833349835080290305
Zaza had been waiting a long time by anyone’s standards, let alone the standards of a striker who represented his country at a major international tournament.
Since Simone Zaza last scored in the league:
Represented Italy at Euro 2016
Left Juventus
Joined West Ham
Left West Ham
Joined Valencia pic.twitter.com/AgNgLo4cHe— Squawka (@Squawka) February 19, 2017
Now we wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up going on a bit of a scoring streak. Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
