The Rise and Fall of Manuel Lanzini at West Ham United

West Ham supporters used to proudly proclaim that there “Ain’t nobody like Lanzini, he makes me happy, he plays the West Ham Way,” but he has become a shadow of the player he used to be.

On January 14, 2017, West Ham United took the field after the mid-week bombshell that talisman Dmitri Payet was walking out on the club in a bid to force a transfer through. The West Ham world was in complete disarray.

Nobody really knew what to expect as the Irons took on Crystal Palace that day, but in a game-best remembered for Andy Carroll‘s brilliant bicycle kick, the home side responded with a 3-0 victory.

I was in Boston at the time and unable to watch the match, but my mate was keeping me on top of the proceedings as we both sensed the importance of the afternoon on the overall psyche of the football club.

Late in the match, I received a text informing me something to the effect of “Lanzini scored and then jumped into the crowd. He knows he’s the new sheriff in town now.” Watching the highlight later that day I fell in love with the passion of the moment.

Fast forward to May 5th of the same year. A beleaguered West Ham squad featuring Jonathon Calleri at striker and Sam Byram at right-back faces off against a Tottenham squad nipping at the heels of Chelsea for the title.

The Irons campaign has seen another all too familiar relegation battle, but on a Friday night under the lights at the London Stadium, the club has a chance to secure safety. With the ground absolutely buzzing, in the 65th minute, the ball bounces around the Spurs penalty area and eventually lands at the feet of The Jewel, who makes no mistake.

STRATFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

By this point, Lanzini has a reputation as a man who loves a goal in a London derby, and while this was perhaps the ugliest it was representative of the working-class East End effort the club put forth on the pitch that night. It’s also shocking for someone who has watched him play the last 18 months to see him in the high-traffic area of the opponent’s penalty area.

Lanzini followed up that season with 5 goals and 9 assists in 29 appearances in the 2017-2018 campaign as David Moyes leaned heavily on him and Marko Arnautovic to provide the offence to guide the Hammers to safety again.

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That summer was expected to be the most exciting period of Lanzini’s career as he teamed up with Lionel Messi on the Argentina squad at the World Cup. But in pre-tournament training Lanzini would suffer a devastating ACL tear that would change the trajectory of his career.

After major reconstructive knee surgery and nine months of rehabilitation, Lanzini returned to action in a 3-1 victory against Fulham in late February 2019. Supporters cheered loudly as one of their favourites took the pitch for West Ham again.

Unfortunately, this story of injury and redemption just hasn’t worked out for either party. It’s incredibly difficult from a physical perspective to return to the rigour of everyday football after such a major injury. But that’s only half the story.

As someone who has suffered from two ACL tears, I believe that the most difficult part about returning to action is the mental aspect. Until an athlete can play without fear, it’s hard to be as effective as they once were.

Lanzini was a player who terrified defences because of his ability to attack them with speed, incredible ball control and the willingness to go into the high traffic areas even though he was only 5’5″ and 130lbs.

He was always in the thick of things before his injury, but since his return, he has become a player that all too frequently passes sideways or backwards, and rarely ever attacks defenders or finds himself in the crowded area around the goal.

While some may question his effort or commitment, I believe he’s simply a player that is lacking confidence due to his injury as well as his terrible form. It’s hard to believe how far he has fallen in the eyes of the supporters, who cheer his substitution instead of discussing how he plays the West Ham Way.

But it’s hard to disagree with their analysis. At the end of the day, Lanzini became just another underachieving, overpaid player that hasn’t lived up their potential, regardless of circumstance.

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It’s best for everyone if Lanzini moves on this summer, but when he does he will be doing the professional footballer’s version of quietly slipping out the back door. It’s a marked contrast from that January afternoon back in 2017 when The Jewel jumped into the crowd to cap off a brilliant victory.