Why Manuel Lanzini must start versus Chelsea
By Alex Smith
West Ham star Manuel Lanzini has been in fantastic form lately and fully deserves a start in the London derby against Chelsea.
The Argentine has made a number of outstanding cameos off the bench in the last few matches including scoring a wonder goal in the 2-1 defeat to Man City.
He is playing like a man hungry to be in the first-team and with Said Benrahma not at his best, Lanzini should be rewarded with a place in the starting XI.
West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini has to start versus Premier League leaders Chelsea after a number of inspired performances coming off the substitutes bench.
In the previous match (1-1 home draw to Brighton), David Moyes subbed Lanzini onto the field for less around 15 minutes and made a considerable impact with his pressing. Often winning the ball back high up the pitch as well as providing control on the ball with intelligent passing and movement.
Chelsea are top of the Premier League table and West Ham will need to be hard-working without the ball as Thomas Tuchel’s side tend to have the majority of possession. Lanzini is better defensively than Benrahma, despite the Algerian improving a lot in that area, which is another reason why Lanzini should play.
West Ham will need to be effective with the ball, versus Brighton, Benrahma wasted a number of counter attacking opportunities and has not been as good as he was previously this season. Lanzini has been brilliant at keeping possession so far this campaign, highlighted in the 1-4 win over Aston Villa. He helped see out and dictate the game as well as setting up Jarrod Bowen‘s goal.
Another potential benefit of starting Lanzini is that he has a fabulous London derby record. He has 10 goals in rivalries with Chelsea, Crystal Palace and of course, Spurs. The team he scored that famous comeback equaliser in the 3-3 draw last season as well as the goal that dented their title hopes in 2016/17.
Also, it seems only fair that Lanzini, starts. What kind of message does it send the players who have spent much of the season on the bench or in the Europa League team that if they play well they still can’t get in the first-team?
Similarly, it shows the players in West Ham’s Premier League side that performances must remain high or you will lose your place. Competition for places is vital and perhaps the lack of that has been a factor in Michail Antonio’s recent drop in form?