It is a rare thing at the top level of the modern game to hear a star player sing the praise of his manager but not at West Ham United it seems.
Rarely do you see top players go out of their way to compliment a boss.
So it is refreshing to see the jewel in West Ham’s crown, Manuel Lanzini, do just that.
West Ham have been impressing so far this season.
Strong, balanced and potent
Three wins in a week going into the international break has left the Hammers seventh in the table and a win against Oxford away from the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
Of course it is early days. And one swallow a summer does not make.
But there is no denying the current West Ham line-up is the strongest and – more crucially – the most balanced it has looked for some time.
There is a feeling West Ham are building something special.
Unlikely bromance firing new-look West Ham
And the driving force behind it could be an unlikely bromance between namesakes Lanzini and his manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The playmaker, who is back in the Argentina squad after rediscovering his form and fitness following a serious knee injury, has been signing the praises of his fellow South American.
It is a partnership that could take West Ham to the next level. And Lanzini told West Ham’s official website that is where the club is aiming.
“The manager is very good,” Lanzini told whufc.com.
“I talk with him every day and he’s a very good person and a very good coach and you can talk with him if you have some problems.
‘Believe in ourselves and we can achieve this’
“This is good and for me, Manuel is very important. He likes players who play football and like to attack. For me, it’s OK!
“Of course (we want to challenge for a top-six finish).
“It is the ambition of all of us and the club, but we must work hard because every team wants this and the Premier League is hard, but we need to believe in ourselves and we can achieve this.”
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