Premiership New Boys: Alessandro Diamanti
Eager to find the perfect foil for promising target man Carlton Cole, Gianfranco Zola has returned to his homeland to secure the services of the hottest, unknown talent in Italian football, Alessandro Diamanti. Determined to make up for lost time, the former non-league veteran will be looking to bang in the goals that secure West Ham passage to Europe.
Club: West Ham United (Signed from Livorno for a £6 million fee.)
Age: 26.
Upside: Diamanti shot on to the scene in 2007 with Serie B side Livorno. During his first season in Tuscany, Diamanti bagged 18 goals in 37 appearances. The Italian striker is single handedly credited with dragging Livorno to Serie A promotion having scored 6 goals in an inspirational final 10 matches of last season.
Downside: Unproven. He’s only played one match at a level higher than Serie B – Livorno’s Serie A season opener against Cagliari, his last outing for the club before joining the Hammers.
Pedigree: Non-existent, although he was reportedly recommended to Gianfranco Zola by current England manager and Serie A master Fabio Capello.
International Career: Another unchecked box. A late bloomer, Diamanti didn’t hit the headlines until last season. With a self-professed “life changing” move to West Ham done and dusted, a strong showing in East London could seal a surprise inclusion in Marcello Lippi’s World Cup squad.
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The other Premiership New Boys:
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