Zola continues Italian Job

It’s been a tough 12 months for the boys at Upton Park. A row between the board and manager over the sales of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney to Sunderland lead to the resignation of Alan Curbishley. That was followed by major sponsors ‘XL’ going bust, and then an ex-Chelsea player taking over as manager. Not ideal for West Ham fans, but it seems Zola was indeed the right man to take on the role.

Zola arrived at Upton Park last season a unknown quantity. He’d never managed a side before, let alone a PL team with European aspirations, and everyone was rather sceptical. But he slowly and surely stabilised his side and guided them well clear of the drop in his first season. Now, with the new season underway, he’s quickly changing the outlook of his side to suit his style.

The Hammers are close to capturing the signing of Livorno striker Alessandro Diamanti, a 26-year-old who scored 16 times in Serie B last season. Perhaps a bit of a gamble for Zola, as Diamanti doesn’t really have a proven track record in a decent League. However, perhaps Zola knows something we don’t. Diamanti could be a superstar in the making, and if anyone would know about it, it’d be Zola.

Another player that has recently been linked with a move to the East London Club is AC Milan’s Right-Back Massimo Oddo. The Italian International spent the whole of last season on-loan at Bundesliga side Bayern Munich after struggling to hold down a place at San Siro. Now he claims that West Ham have made an inquiry for his services.

Oddo is now 33 years old, and that coupled with the fact he can’t get a place in the Milan side suggests that he could be on his way out. However, Oddo has made it clear that he wants a permanent move rather than a loan move away from Italy.

“I have already had an experience on loan, which is not ideal for a player. Hence, I don’t want to go away and then come back to the same conditions as I was in the previous year. I have to look not only at my interests but that of my family. To go away for a year with young children and face a new culture doesn’t seem the ideal situation.” He obviously gets homesick, our Massimo. If he was English he’d jump all over the chance to get out of here for a year or so!

If Oddo does make his desired permanent move to the Hammers it would be part of an exchange deal with Frenchman Julien Faubert. Faubert started his career in London with an injury that kept him out of action for the first 3 months of the season, and since recovering he’s never really made an impact. A move to San Siro may just revitalise him and kickstart his career.

Having watched West Ham take on Spurs at the weekend it’s plain to see what Zola has done with his side. They play good Football, they’re a strong side especially through the middle, and their fanbase is second to none. A push for Europe is a definite. All that’s left to say now is: Bravo Zola, siete una leggenda! Safe.