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Lanzini v Payet: 5 Areas Of Comparison Over Two Seasons

By Scott Johnson

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United skillfully crosses the ball during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the London Stadium on April 22, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United skillfully crosses the ball during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at the London Stadium on April 22, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /
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West Ham United’s Argentinian midfielder Manuel Lanzini (R) is booked for making this tackle on Arsenal’s English midfielder Theo Walcott during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
West Ham United’s Argentinian midfielder Manuel Lanzini (R) is booked for making this tackle on Arsenal’s English midfielder Theo Walcott during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) /

Working For The Team

Now many West Ham fans will jump up and tell me that Payet was lazy. Others will tell me that it wasn’t his job. But my argument is simply that the more they contribute here, the less the opposition has the ball. Which can’t be a bad thing right?

And it comes as no surprise that Lanzini wins out on almost every aspect of defensive work. In terms of tackles, the Argentine playmaker wins almost double the number of Payet. This to me shows both willingness to challenge, and a better aptitude at it.

He also beats Payet comprehensively at two other defensive measures, interceptions and clearances. Whilst it’s not a great measure of a playmaker, given that the Hammers have found themselves towards the wrong end of the table, a hardworking player is always a bonus.

If Payet was still at the team, I don’t think he would be grafting as much as Lanzini does.