Gianluca Scamacca was honest when reflecting on his injury troubles during his first year with West Ham and how he reacts to the various transfer rumours he’s involved in.
The 24-year-old Italian striker left Sassuolo for the Hammers last summer in a deal worth around €36m, signing a five-year contract with an option for a further year.
Scamacca struggled to show his best under David Moyes but still managed three Premier League goals before a serious knee injury ended his season months early.
The striker is now being heavily linked with a move to Jose Mourinho’s Roma this summer, but the club have not yet managed to agree a deal with West Ham, who seemingly are not keen to accept any loan offers.
Speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio via Calciomercato.com, Scamacca first reflected on where things went wrong in his debut season with West Ham.
“In the Premier League, where your physique is a significant component, if you’re not 100% you’ll be swept away. When I was well, I scored five goals in a month.
“Then the problems: first my left knee, which hurt, then my right. In December it turned out that I had an injury to my external meniscus which didn’t allow me to perform.”
He then commented on how his knee operation went and the mental anguish of that.
“It went well, but it was a slap in the face because it was the first injury of my life. I couldn’t move, I lived on crutches. It seemed slow to me, slower than the others.
“But those who go slower have a better chance of recovering. I felt as if my leg had been cut off. I always knew I had uncommon talents, as well as that I had travelled a more difficult path than the others.
“Now I was still, in a bed, frustrated. I couldn’t accept the injury.”
The 24-year-old discussed how he tried to fight the injury and push to return to the pitch.
“I was afraid I wouldn’t come back as strong as before. I convinced myself in my head that it was nothing. I trained above the pain, I took medicine so I wouldn’t feel bad. Because it killed me to run and feel that the knee wasn’t there. Literally.
“With every change of direction, it was like receiving a strong punch in the middle of the leg. I risked a lot, I couldn’t resist because if you take away my football, you take away everything.
“I can’t find excuses, because I’ve never looked for them. From outside, people couldn’t have known. You say ‘f*ck, this one only scored eight goals’, but there’s an undergrowth of truth that no one can see.”
He commented on his recent work in training.
“I’ve always sought success. This summer I went to Sardinia to escape the heat of Rome. I saw the sea twice, when my trainer gave me the afternoon off.
“Otherwise, breakfast, gym, lunch, rest, then on the pitch. And then dead in bed. I didn’t want to feel any more discomfort. I just want to go back to playing football.”
Scamacca gave his perspective on life.
“The security and confidence I have in myself have allowed me to get to where I am. Ever since I was a boy, people have been talking about me. But if everyone spoke only well of me, it would be a problem.
“I was judged for my tattoos or for my blond hair. But that didn’t bother me: if it had bothered me, I wouldn’t be here! Come on guys… I have three passions: football, video games and tattoos, I’ve gotten them over my head.
“I don’t do drugs, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink every night… what should I do! It matters when you go on the pitch and if you spit blood.”
The Italian striker was confident that he had more to show on the pitch.
“Know this: I haven’t shown my potential 100% yet. For two years, my Instagram has continued to be filled with transfer market posts which I’m tagged in. For many, I’m an unexpressed talent.
“I know I still have hidden qualities, but I’m 100% sure that whoever signs me gets a good deal. I think all I need is being in the right place at the right time. What will it be? We’ll only find out by living.”
He reflected on his childhood in Rome.
“I always set two types of goals in my head: one short-term, the other long-term. Even if I had to score 20 goals next season, I’d aim to score 22 in the next season. I’m very hard on myself, very pretentious.
“Ever since I used to play on the street in my neighbourhood in Rome. I’m a street fan, born on the street and raised on the street. This is exactly why I listen to Rondo, Shiva and Capo Plaza.
“I see myself in their stories, when I stopped by my house after training with my friends to try the new skills.”
The forward looked back at the early stages of his career in the Netherlands.
“When I left my city as a boy to go to the Netherlands, it was a blow. I wanted to try this experience that fascinated me and get educated, I don’t regret anything, the Netherlands is a football school.
“But I started to miss it and I came back. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that. I was young, I was bored. When I left, Italian teams didn’t invest in young players.”
Finally, Scamacca remembered how it felt to break into Serie A.
“I went home between one loan deal and another. I felt the distance. It was worth it: a few years later I made my Serie A debut, at Maradona, against Napoli.
“In those 15 minutes I didn’t understand a thing, I remembered the first times I went to the Olimpico.
“It came back to me when I moved from Lazio‘s youth teams to Roma, the heart can’t be controlled. I looked at Totti while I was a ball boy and never took my eyes off him.”
Gianluca Scamacca is a seriously good attacker who we really need to stay at Westham. I really believe he will can become a Westham Legend if supported and given the opportunity.
Go on Gianluca get stuck in and make a name for yourself ⚒️👍
I totally agree