Is it underconfidence or lack of caring from Manuel Lanzini at West Ham?

Time and time again the effort or lack thereof from Manuel Lanzini comes up at West Ham United. Is it underconfidence or lack of care? Whatever it is, it’s becoming frustrating and patience is dwindling.

Tepid? Underperforming? Docile? Whatever you want to call Manuel Lanzini, it’s all becoming an issue for not only him but West Ham United. Over the past 18 months, fans and media alike have given him the benefit due to injuries but is enough, enough at this point?

From the start, he has been loved by the fans even enough to have is own song but the lyrics might not be the same anymore. Ain’t nobody, like Lanzini… is about as far as you can get right now. The initial love is gone but he is still revered which is what makes recent matches tough.

However you feel about Manu, one this is for sure, he is missing and has been for well over a year and a half. For example, since the start of the 2018/19 season, he has only scored once. But taking the stats away due to his lack of game time, there is a bigger issue at bay.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 31: Tom Trybull of Norwich City battles for possession with Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Norwich City at London Stadium on August 31, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

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If you haven’t noticed, he’s not the same Lanzini that many West Ham fans have come to know and love. The only Lanzini would attack the ball and never back down from a challenge making his skillset of pacy and agility even more powerful.

However, over time that has obviously stopped and unfortunately for him, you don’t have to look much further than yesterday’s FA Cup match at Gillingham. In the match, the 26-year-old had no work rate and was completely ball watching.

If and when the ball came anywhere near him he wouldn’t even come close to the challenge or the ball unless he was the only one around it. His willingness to let the game pass him by is a hindrance and with the resurgence of Pablo Fornals, his position is in jeopardy.

Since the rehiring of David Moyes, Lanzini has played but even Felipe Anderson has been preferred in the CAM or CF role playing behind or right off the striker. You would have to imagine that some clubs would still want Lanzini but should the Hammers look to move him?

The answer to that question is about as wishy-washy as his performances as of late. For every match he plays his performances don’t get better, they get worse and more frustrating to watch Only time will tell because if we could get the old Manu back, we all would want that.