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Juventus in for West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini? Not so fast…

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham celebrates scoring the first goal for West Ham during the Pre-Season Friendly match between West Ham United and Athletic Bilbao at the Olympic Stadium on August 03, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham celebrates scoring the first goal for West Ham during the Pre-Season Friendly match between West Ham United and Athletic Bilbao at the Olympic Stadium on August 03, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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West Ham’s struggles usually turn into an absurd transfer rumor or two, and sure enough, the recent skip has whipped up a crazy Manuel Lanzini to Juventus rumor that just doesn’t make sense.

There are two reasons why West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini is not off to Juventus – West Ham needs him, and Juventus don’t.

West Ham need Lanzini

No player in Manuel Pellegrini’s first-team blows more hot and cold than Manuel Lanzini. Some have chalked it up to the long-term rehab from his massive knee injury with Argentina’s World Cup team. In reality, this has been something consistent with his game since he joined West Ham and while frustrating, he’s a game-changer when he actually is clicking.

In my estimation, it falls on the manager to get the most out of the players they inherit or bring in. Pellegrini is under fire at the moment for poor team selection and awful tactics as shown in recent weeks, I guess we can add poor man-management to that list as Lanzini is a bench player right now and not able to contribute on the pitch. His punishment may have worked, however, as he chipped in an assist in the loss to Newcastle off the bench.

If Pablo Fornals had hit the ground running, this rumor would be much more substantiated but as it stands, Lanzini is the Hammers’ best option in the middle of the pitch. His ability to turn on the ball and create space for the attack is unparalleled on this team. If the Irons right the ship this season, it’ll be largely on his back.

Juventus don’t need him

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This section will be short, but let’s look at their midfield and attacking options that would push Lanzini down the pecking order quite substantially. Seeing as how Pellegrini sometimes sees him as a wide player, the Jewel would have to usurp Douglas Costa for a left-mid/wing position, and Juan Cuadrado on the right side of the pitch. Seems unlikely.

Juve has been playing in a central midfield heavy formation recently lining up 4-3-1-2 with three central midfielders, one attacking midfielder, and two strikers. With Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain, and Paulo Dybala taking up the striker position, the CAM role has been filled by Frederico Bernardeschi. The 25-year old, Italian has held down this position, being relieved by Rodrigo Bentancur when needed.

The central midfield three has a swath of players fighting for starting minutes. Blaise Matuidi, Emre Can, Adrien Rabiot, Sami Khadira, Miralem Pjanić, and also Bentancur who can drop deeper in the midfield. Where does Manuel Lanzini fit in, and why would Juventus spend any substantial amount of cash on him with this squad depth?

Hopefully, this breakdown of the lineup dispells any thoughts of West Ham moving on from Lanzini. As frustrating as a player as he is, he is a dynamic talent and is needed in East London. Maybe with Higuain and Dybala representing the Argentina squad on Juventus, the link was created through national ties? Regardless, it doesn’t seem substantiated and should be dismissed.

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