The West Ham boss sees a mirror-image of himself in Savio Nsereko, the 19-year-old forward who has joined the Hammers from Italian club Brescia for a fee which reports have suggested could be as much as £9m.

Nsereko could make his debut against Hull tomorrow night if international clearance is received in time and if he does Zola reckons the Upton Park fans are in for a treat.

Zola said: "I think Savio is very similar to what I was when I was 19. I was a player who was very good at taking players on. That is one of the main qualities that make the difference between a normal player and a special player.

"In modern football there are not many players with that ability. We've been following him for a long time. He's one of those players who in one v one situations is deadly. He is quick, the kind of player I like and who is very important in the team. He creates something for you.

"He is already a top player but there have to be other qualities. I am going to try to give him the bits which are missing in his game to allow him to go a step higher in his level.

"He is one of those players who catches the eye but don't forget he is 19 years old and he has to learn a lot. He will become a very important player but we have to allow him time to settle down and get the Premier League rhythms."

Nsereko, who was born in Uganda but moved to Germany when he was two, is predominantly a left-sided winger who can play down the middle and the fact that West Ham have given him the number 10 shirt suggests they have huge faith in his talent.

He is a German Under-20 international and was spotted by West Ham technical director Gianluca Nani who worked with him at Brescia.

Nsereko said: "I know Gianluca very well. It was important to have someone I know and who believes in me. I also saw Gianfranco play and have heard a lot about him. He was a big player with very nice technique."

Zola is confident there will be no more departures from Upton Park in the transfer window following Hayden Mullins' move to Portsmouth and despite speculation surrounding Matthew Upson and Scott Parker.

Zola said: "They are keen to stay here. They like what we are doing and the way we are playing."

Zola has no injury problems for tomorrow's match against Hull which he sees as a chance of building on a convincing win against Fulham in their last Premier League game and the FA Cup victory over Hartlepool.

He said: "It is a crucial game and gives us the opportunity to put some more space between us and the clubs behind."