With three games left to play, another miserable season is coming to an end. The outcome of which league we will be in, however, is not yet certain and the whole negative energy surrounding the club is toxic.
Despite not many players standing out this season, it’s been a tough campaign for our Argentine magician Manuel Lanzini. A creative player, who plays the West Ham way, Lanzini came to the club unknown and simply dazzled on the big stage, making the final farewell season at Boleyn Ground even more special. The connection between him and Dimitri Payet was magical, their ability to change the game within an instant was the key to our surprising success. The away days against the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City was the West Ham way, entertaining football where we took the initiative to the home side, something which we never really do. Manu was a substantial part of this success and is undoubtedly a special player with the ability to change a game within an instant.
But suddenly things seemed to have changed, the uncertainty around the club and a combination of injuries has frustrated our playmaker this season. With this, I can’t help but think Lanzini would favour a move elsewhere in the summer if he is to reach his full potential.
He’s one or if not our most important player when available, but other events within the club and our disastrous campaign has diverted the attention away from the Argentine. He had excelled under Slav, who gave him a free license to express himself, scoring some wonderful goals and providing assists too. His goal against Everton at the Boleyn and, most recently, the winner against Spurs in our first season at the London Stadium being some of my favourites. But, since the arrival of David Moyes and the performances of Hammer of the Year Marko Arnautovic, things haven’t been ticking for him.
With the exception of his brace against Huddersfield Town, I can’t recall Lanzini doing much else this season, noticeably, he hasn’t looked himself on the pitch and this is where the inconsistency comes in. A player that could reach the very top very rarely produces performances at the top of his game and as a fan, this is frustrating to watch. Whether it’s Moyes’ tactics (probably) or Lanzini feeling unsettled at West Ham is a different matter, but his most recent performance against Manchester City showed glimpses of what he is capable of. It was a shame he was taken off against the Champions, despite only just returning from injury, he was our only bright spark on the day.
Despite being similarly labelled to the likes of Phillipe Coutinho, in my opinion, I’m not sure Lanzini is of that calibre yet, he has the potential for sure, but, the big question is will he ever get there? Performances are based on numbers and Lanzini needs to add more goals and assists to his name than he does, and the next three games would be ideal to do just that, not only for the benefit of keeping us in the division, but, also for ending Lanzini’s season on a high, which would do his confidence the world of good.
It is without question that we need a massive revamp in the summer, from the manager and his backroom staff and the squad of players. I can imagine a number of players will be heading for the exit door and hopefully Lanzini is not one of them. Whatever happens in a massively important and telling summer for the club, giving Manu a new long-term deal must be the priority for the board before anything else. The uncertainty would then be closed off and he can focus on being the best player we all know he can be.
I just hope whoever is in charge of the club next season thinks the same.
What do you think?
Let me know your thoughts
Written By Dan Woffenden
The club is a shambles. He’ll go elsewhere and who can blame him. I’m one of many long term ST holders who are swerving renewing this year so don’t give a shit what these owners are left with. It’s the end of West Ham as we know it.