Slaven Bilic talks up Jermain Defoe and Scott Hogan’s talent as Simone Zaza’s time runs out at West Ham

Ken Dyer5 January 2017

Slaven Bilic has confirmed that Simone Zaza has played his last game for West Ham but he refused to speculate on potential moves for Jermain Defoe or Scott Hogan.

Zaza joined on a season’s loan from Juventus but a clause meant West Ham were committed to signing him for £20million once he had played 14 matches.

The striker failed to score in his 11 games for the Hammers and Bilic said today: “We wanted Simone and he wanted to come but because of his contract, his story at West Ham is finished. These things happen in football. He’s definitely a good player but it just wasn’t to be. With players it takes a few months or a year to adjust to the Premier League but we had to judge him on seven or eight games.”

West Ham have been linked with Sunderland striker Defoe and Brentford’s Hogan during the transfer window.

Manager Bilic said: “We’re not going to discuss players that are not ours at the moment. The chairman is trying really hard to get some players in positions we need but we’re not going to mention names.

“All I would say is that Jermain Defoe is maybe or probably the main reason why Sunderland stayed up and in every game, even if he doesn’t score, he is making chances. He’s an excellent player. As for Scott Hogan, he is an excellent player and again he’s scoring goals.”

Sofiane Feghouli’s red card against Manchester United was over-turned by the FA yesterday, the fourth time out of five that West Ham have successfully appealed against a sending-off.

“First I was happy when I heard but four times must be a kind of a record,” he said.

West Ham's 2016/17 signings

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“If you add on top of that, a couple of times when players were retrospectively punished after we played them, it is six times.”

West Ham kick off the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow night when they host Manchester City, who have struggled in recent weeks.

Bilic said: “They had a brilliant start to the season but have slowed down a little. It is a big game for them and us and I am sure they will put out a strong team tomorrow because it is a big chance for them to win a trophy.”

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