West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca says Rome will always be his home and explains why being coached by Jose Mourinho would be a dream. The Italy international is being linked with a return to Serie A with both Roma and Juventus following the 24-year-old. Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Scamacca touched on his first season in the Premier League and the difficulties adapting, as well as playing most of the campaign through injury, which hampered his progress at West Ham:
“On Monday, we had a friendly and I played 45 minutes. It was the first bit on the pitch after three months of inactivity and meniscus surgery.”
Sensations?
“Beautiful. It was great to be back on the field and I felt great feelings. By the start of the season I will be in top form. After the physical problems of last season, I am in credit to luck. If I am well – and I am convinced I will be – I will score 20 goals. I am working hard and during the vacation in Sardinia I did double training every day. I saw the gym and the field more than the sea or the beach.”
If you think back to last season, your first in England with West Ham, are you more disappointed with the injuries and the season ending early or satisfied with the Conference League triumph?
“Maybe people don’t know this, but I played the whole year with a ruptured meniscus. Then at some point it was impossible to continue and I went under the knife. Until March I played 27 games, scored 8 goals. It could have been better, but even worse… The Conference was a great joy for everyone: it was our aim since the beginning of the season. I didn’t play the final against Fiorentina, it’s true, but of course I feel the Conference is mine: in the Cup I scored 3 goals in 7 games.”
The biggest difficulty you found in the Premier League?
“The higher intensity. You always travel at two thousand mph, without pauses. It’s a way of playing that strengthens your character: I feel strong now, more intense.”
You faced Haaland, the super striker of Guardiola’s Manchester City: impressions?
“We are talking about an absolute top player. But if I have to be honest, the player who most impressed me live is De Bruyne: he sees impossible plays.”
Your former teammate Declan Rice moved to Arsenal for £120 million: surprised?
“Why? They are also few … He is very strong, he reminds of Gerrard. Rice is the strongest midfielder I played with.”
This is how you anger your friend Frattesi, fresh from his transfer from Sassuolo to Inter…
“Davide is not touchy, then he has different characteristics. I knew he was going to Inter. He is a midfielder who throws himself into the box and is fantastic in insertions: Inzaghi’s team is ideal for him.”
Frattesi did not want to go abroad: did you advise him to continue in Italy?
“He did well to choose Inter having the chance to play in a big Italian team. I did not have it, this chance, because there was less money last summer…. Then I am more open-minded than Davide. And I am satisfied like this: the Premier League is the NBA of football.”
Are you nostalgic for Italy?
“I always have and always will. However.”
However.
“If I were to return to Serie A, it wouldn’t be because I failed in England, it’s not like that. Simply because it would be an unrenounceable opportunity. No, it would also not be a step backwards for my career: our league remains one of the best.”
You are also at the center of the transfer market this summer. Would you most like to challenge your friend Frattesi in the Inter-Milan derby, the Inter-Juventus derby of Italy or with Roma?
“I have always reasoned with my heart and will continue to do so in the future. And you know which two colors are in my heart. But now I am a West Ham player and, despite all the rumors, I am doing well here as well.”
Do you think about Roma and Mourinho?
“For me, Rome is home. And Totti my idol as a child. And what player in the world wouldn’t dream of being coached by Mourinho? I am convinced that Mou would stimulate me and with him I would improve even more.”
Is Lorenzo Pellegrini courting you?
“We have been in touch, he is a friend: let’s say we joked about it a little.”
Is the nostalgia for Italy also related to the European Championship?
“No. That is up to me, not whether I play in Serie A or Premier League. I am convinced that I will get there well.”
Is Retegui more of a worry or a stimulus?
“Competition helps to grow. But from a young age, I have always looked at myself and not at others.”
Did Tonali call you before signing for Newcastle?
“We talked after it was made official. I wished him good luck. Sandro is very strong and has everything to establish himself in the Premier League as well.”
You are one of the many talents enhanced by Sassuolo in recent years: what is the secret of the Emilian club?
“There is competence, there is no pressure, and the club puts players in the conditions to be able to express themselves at their best.”
From Cristiano Ronaldo to Benzema, from Koulibaly to Milinkovic Savic… Saudi Arabia is convincing a lot of big names: are you thinking about it too?
“It’s still too early for me…. Arabia is becoming a powerhouse. But now if you want to make your mark and try to write a piece of history you have to play in Europe.”
