It is safe to say that this season Manuel Lanzini has struggled to have an influence on the pitch. So what does the future hold for the Argentine midfielder?
Joining the Hammers on loan in the 15/16 season from Al Jazira, his transfer was made a permanent one the season after. Nicknamed ‘The Jewel’, he has been essential to the Irons’ squad in recent years.
After returning from a cruciate ligament injury that saw him miss 256 days of action, he has lacked the skills that saw him called up to the Argentina side in the past.
It was widely thought that the injury he picked up would affect his confidence and that he would not be the same player again.
An attacking midfielder, Lanzini has made a total of 115 appearances for the East London side, scoring 20 goals and bagging 13 assists.
This season he has not shown the desire and has often been criticised by fans for his lack of ambition especially since signing a new contract in the summer. There are a number of factors that have contributed to this downfall.
Whether that be the support he has alongside him in the form of Rice and Fornals, or the injury he picked up, it is safe to say he is not his former self.
Before picking up the injury, he was at his very best playing a key part in the Irons’ 15/16 season leading the Hammers to the Europa League under now-West Brom boss Slaven Bilic.
With the Hammers set to sign Tomas Soucek from Slavia Prague, the club’s midfield issues could be coming to a conclusion especially after needing a box-to-box player for the last few seasons.
For the Hammers, Lanzini could be a player they sell in the summer to fund their squad and bring in some much-needed players.
So Hammers fans, what do you think the future holds for Lanzini?
