Moyes makes Scamacca Premier League prediction after latest West Ham goal, as ECL concern raised

West Ham manager David Moyes says Gianluca Scamacca is ready to play more in the Premier League after scoring his second goal for the club.

The Hammers have sought a top new striker signing for a number of transfer windows, but to no avail on many occasions. Still, those frustrations ended this summer with the arrival of Scamacca.

The 23-year-old capture from Sassuolo has made a substitute appearance in each of West Ham’s three Premier League matches without scoring.

However, he scored his second European goal of the season on Thursday to help the Hammers advance into the group stage of the Europa Conference League.

Scamacca and fellow new signings Maxwel Cornet and Thilo Kehrer all started in the second leg of the qualifying tie against Viborg.

And after securing another 3-1 win over the Danish side to claim a 6-1 aggregate scalp – following Scamacca‘s first-leg goal – Moyes backed Scamacca and Cornet to play more – and impress more – in the Premier League.

“I think they are ready,” Moyes told a post-match press conference.

“If you said to me, ‘do I think they are ready to play 90 minutes in the Premier League,’ they might not be ready to play that but they are certainly ready to play good parts of it. They are right in my thoughts, yes.”

Moyes added that he felt “really pleased” to see Scamacca and Said Benrahma score as it shows West Ham are “just beginning to get a little bit back” to their top level.

But Moyes said: “I was a wee bit concerned tonight because we had quite a few in Thilo, Gianluca, Maxi (Cornet) and we’re bringing Angelo Ogbonna back.

“We are probably pushing him a little bit sooner than we would have liked. I thought he did terrific tonight, Angelo, considering it was his first 90 minutes for over a year now [after injury].”

West Ham, Moyes get timely boost

West Ham’s progression into the Europa Conference League can serve as a timely boost for the club.

They have struggled in the early parts of the Premier League season. In fact, they are still without a point after three games and have yet to score a goal.

But knowing they have another European campaign to look forward to will be a massive psychological help.

And the fact that Moyes is even more confident about his new signings shows the momentum can slowly start to build.

A first league win of the season away at Aston Villa will be the perfect next step for Moyes and his side.