Slaven Bilic compares Simone Zaza to Dennis Bergkamp

The former Sassuolo and Juventus striker arrived for €5m on loan with another €25m to pay for the permanent move if he racks up a certain number of appearances.

So far he has disappointed Hammers fans and is still looking for his first Premier League goal after four appearances.

“He is definitely a good player who came from a big club to a new country,” noted Bilic.

“New players need time. If we go back and think about Dennis Bergkamp, who needed – I don’t know – a year?

“It is quite common with even the best players from abroad. Plus, Zaza wasn’t a regular there and didn’t have match fitness. It takes time sometimes and unfortunately we don’t have that time.”

Milan have been linked with a potential January approach for Zaza, giving West Ham a way out of paying €20m to buy the 25-year-old outright.

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