What is the Future of West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini?

After trusted West Ham ITK ExWHUEmployee reported that David Moyes was impressed with Manuel Lanzini‘s contribution in the latter stages of the season, a question has arisen about the future of the Argentine. We discuss the potential moves for the talented midfielder, whether through a transfer away from the club or working to regain his first-team spot.

Described as an ‘exciting’ attacking midfielder by West Ham United, Manuel Lanzini has had an interesting career since joining the Hammers in July 2015. After impressing on loan in his first season, Lanzini was made a permanent signing in 2016 (the same season we signed Pedro Obiang, Angelo Ogbonna, and of course, Dimitri Payet).

In his first three seasons at West Ham, the Argentine midfielder made 88 appearances, scoring 19 goals and bagging 10 assists. Not only was he a creative threat through goals scored/created, but from a spectator’s standpoint, he was a joy to watch. His quick thinking and fancy footwork had players, staff, and fans on their feet. This run of great form triggered interest from Liverpool due to his creativity in the midfield position. His incredible campaign was also noticed by former Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli, who called up Lanzini to the Argentine World Cup squad in 2018.  However, less than a week before the tournament started, Argentina’s national team manager at the time, Jorge Sampaoli, announced that Lanzini would miss the

competition through injury. That injury? A ruptured ACL.

Surgery to reconstruct the damaged ligament followed soon after. With a projected recovery time of six to 12 months, Lanzini spent most of the season sitting in the boxes of the London Stadium – only appearing 10 times.

Since then, the 28-year-old has struggled to find consistent form. His stats state that in the 58 games he has played since his return, he has scored two goals (one in 2018/19 and one that won Goal of the Month in 2020/21) and bagged 4 assists. Although his goals scored/created stats aren’t to be desired, fans are still able to see glimpses of

Lanzini’s Argentinian brilliance; proven in his October 2020 Goal of the Month award. Essentially the last kick of the game, Lanzini’s world-class strike saw the Hammers come back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 in the last 10 minutes. This goal came in Lanzini’s first appearance in the 2020/21 campaign, and his post-win interview suggests that the strike ‘boosted [his] confidence.’

Since that point, he has been involved in 7 wins, showing his capability to impact games positively. But, before David Moyes’ recent comments mentioned above, Lanzini was subject to links away from East London – which was almost the guaranteed route for the midfielder. West Ham received an inquiry in January for the 28-year-old from Paris Saint-Germain, but talks were stopped as Moyes did not want to reduce the size of his squad further. For Ligue 1, giants PSG to see the ability of Lanzini despite a difficult few seasons says all it needs to about his quality.

What is the Future of West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini?

If Lanzini does decide to stay at the London Stadium, how can West Ham and David Moyes bring out the best of him? In my opinion, it starts with building his confidence. This also links closely with playing him in the position that he strives in – CAM. Over the seasons, he’s played all across the attacking end of the pitch, but nothing compares to his natural ability in creating goals in the CAM position.

Furthermore, with the addition of Said Benhrama (who has also had a difficult first season with the Hammers), games in which the two played together massively excited the Claret and Blue army. Both players are similar in play; creative, skillful, and a pleasure to watch when on the ball. Could a Lanzini/Benhrama partnership unlock both player’s prime abilities?

Regardless of whether Lanzini remains a West Ham player come September or whether he begins a new journey, the impact he has made for us over the seasons has been phenomenal. He will always be a firm favorite of West Ham fans.