Source: Telegraph
West Ham new boy Savio Nsreko heading for cult status at Upton Park
Savio, still just 19, was signed towards the end of the January transfer deadline, for around £6 million, with the money gained from the £14 million sale of Craig Bellamy, to Manchester City. [LNB]Born in Kampala, he joined German club 1860 Munich but at the tender age of 16 moved to Italy to play for Brescia. It was there that he caught the eye of the club's sporting director Gianluca Nani and, after arriving at Upton Park a year ago, he recommended the youngster to Gianfranco Zola. [LNB] Related ArticlesUnhappy return for City boy Bellamy[LNB]Zola: FA Cup still matters[LNB]Gianfranco Zola sees own reflection in new signing Savio Nsereko[LNB]West Ham set to sign Savio Nsereko[LNB]West Ham complete signing of Savio Nsereko from Brescia[LNB]Juventus deny rumours of deal for West Ham striker Carlton Cole[LNB]Zola, though, admitted that Savio is under pressure to perform. The manager has handled him with kid gloves so far, starting him from the bench, and before Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester City, he had played just 81 minutes in five games. [LNB]However, the serious injury to Valon Behrami on Sunday meant the forward was given his longest run-out in English football so far, and in his 47 minutes on the pitch Savio did not disappoint. [LNB]Indeed, he was responsible for the goal, his effort parried by City goalkeeper Shay Given before another youngster, 20-year-old Jack Collison claimed the winner. [LNB]Zola said: 'Savio came on and did very well and I am pleased for him because he came here followed by a lot of expectation and, to be honest, he was under pressure a little bit because he knows that everybody is waiting to see something special from him. [LNB]'But we are pleased with the way he is working. His attitude is good and I am sure he is going to be a successful player for us. [LNB]'We bought him because he's got something different, something that is sometimes missing in the game, and against City we saw a little bit of that but I'm sure there is still a lot to come.'[LNB]Zola took pleasure from Wales Under-21 international Collison impress. He added: 'That is the beauty of football. If you work hard and if you have passion and belief you can be successful and Jack Collison is an example of all of that. [LNB]'I feel very lucky that we have a few players, not just him, who can play in different positions.'[LNB]West Ham go to Wigan on Wednesday when Mark Noble will be able to return and the club will discover today [Mon] the extend of Behrami's injury. The Cech midfielder caught his studs in the turf and it is feared he may have damaged knee ligaments. [LNB]
