West Ham ace Manuel Lanzini missed our win against Everton yesterday after experiencing a difficult week.
The 29-year-old was involved in a car crash in the week but thankfully he walked away unharmed.
Read also: Moyes shares worrying comment Bowen made before West Ham vs Everton kicked off
Having said that, anyone who has experienced a car crash understands the effect it can have on you not just physically but mentally as well.
David Moyes clearly thought that Lanzini wasn’t ready to play against Everton at the London Stadium yesterday. He is suspended for our Europa League clash with Lyon on Thursday night as well so he will have plenty of time to rest up and recuperate.
The Hammers beat the Toffees in Lanzini’s absence. But that doesn’t tell the whole story.
The Argentinian ace has been magnificent for West Ham this season, especially since the turn of the year. And the Hammers will need him to be firing on all cylinders between now and the end of the season, if we are to have any chance of achieving some success.
West Ham have become hugely reliant on Manuel Lanzini
The 29-year-old has operated in a slightly deeper role for the Hammers this season.
His technical ability and coolness and composure in possession provides us with so much more control in the middle of the park.
Then there is his ability to break the lines with his exceptional vision and imagination.
Said Benrahma had a good game in the number 10 position yesterday but in spite of that, we still missed Lanzini badly.
It is actually concerning just how reliant we have become on the South American.
And there are two reasons why that is such a big worry.
Firstly, Manu will be 30 next year. He probably only has two or three years left at his absolute peak.
And secondly, Lanzini’s contract with West Ham is due to expire in the summer of 2023, although we do have an option to extend that deal by a further two years (Transfermarkt).
Lanzini has been very open about the fact that he would love to return to his boyhood club River Plate one day, as quoted via TyC Sports:
“River are an institution that has nothing to envy the big clubs in Europe. They treated my entire group very well, we did well too. Obviously it makes you want to return to a club of River’s magnitude and above with the plus that is Gallardo.”
Meanwhile, ESPN Argentina have reported that Lanzini is a transfer target for River Plate.
David Moyes absolutely has to realise that a future replacement for Manu needs to be signed as a matter of urgency and preferably before the summer of 2023.
The 29-year-old adds so much more fluidity to our build up play when he starts and he offers all of his teammates a great outlet due to his exceptional ability of being able to receive the ball in tight spaces.
The thought of Manu leaving the London Stadium is actually a frightening and incredibly sad one.
First and foremost, Moyes should try and get Lanzini tied down to until the summer of 2025. And if he doesn’t or is unable to do so, he needs to go out and find someone with similar attributes to the mercurial Argentinian ace.
West Ham have become incredibly reliant on Lanzini. And that is never a good thing.
Read also:
Moyes shares worrying comment Bowen made before West Ham vs Everton kicked off
Jarrod Bowen says one West Ham player was ‘unbelievable’ against Everton
Jermain Defoe says £18m ace is probably West Ham’s best player
65 touches, 84% pass completion: £4 million West Ham ace stood out against Everton
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