Italian showman Alessandro Diamanti would love to emulate compatriot Paulo Di Canio's career at West Ham.
Playmaker would love to emulate compatriot's career at Upton Park
Italian showman Alessandro Diamanti would love to emulate compatriot Paulo Di Canio's career at West Ham.
Di Canio was a Hammer from 1999-2003 and proved a big hit at Upton Park, winning the Player of Year award in his first season at the club.
Diamanti, a £6 million summer signing from Livorno last summer, has just won the Player of the Month accolade but knows there is a long way to go to reach the level of his idol.
He told the
Daily Mirror: "If only I could have a career like Di Canio had.
"He played for Juventus, Napoli, Milan. I have still got a lot to learn to be at the level of Paolo Di Canio.
"I know there is this tradition of great players at this club.
"I am sorry that, as yet, I have not managed to be completely a player like that. I need a bit of time to adapt but it is happening slowly, I hope to arrive at that level.
"I feel a close bond with the fans. I feel there is a 'feeling' with them."
Parma were also interested in Diamanti last summer but the playmaker says he chose to sign a five-year-deal with the Hammers because technical director Gianluca Nani, who has just left the club, and manager Gianfranco Zola 'really wanted me'.
Speaking of his relationship with Zola, Diamanti added: "The mister is a very important person for me.
"On a human level, I feel very attached to him because he wanted me and he brought me here.
"Of course I want see out my contract. It is normal. It was flattering to hear about interest from Milan in January. But I hope to stay here as long as possible."
There has been much speculation concerning Zola's future at Upton Park since the arrival of new owners David Sullivan and David Gold, but Diamanti refused to be drawn on such rumours.
He added: "You can never know. I don't go too far into the future. Saturday there is a battle for us (against Chelsea). We have to play well."
