West Ham United star Manuel Lanzini could be set for a chance in the starting XI but some have suggested that might cause issues.
Moyes has the perfect replacement for Masuaku right under his nose
Lanzini’s West Ham career had looked all but over.
But the 27-year-old seems to have turned things around.
The £100,000 per week playmaker had been linked with a move away from West Ham after struggling to recover from a serious knee injury (Evening Standard).
The second coming of Lanzini?
Scoring THAT last minute screamer in the 3-3 comeback draw at Tottenham may have restored Lanzini’s fading reputation among West Ham fans.
But it did little to secure Lanzini more game time under David Moyes as West Ham continue their best start to a season for five years.
Lanzini made his longest appearance of the season when he came on at half-time against Crystal Palace last time out.
And he was one of the bright sparks in West Ham’s 1-1 draw with the Eagles.
The little Jewel – as he is affectionately known – got on the ball and drove West Ham forwards.
It was the timing, angle and weight of his pass to Vladimir Coufal which helped set up Sebastien Haller’s breathtaking overhead kick equaliser.
Some West Ham fans call for Lanzini to start but is there room for little Jewel and Benrahma in a Moyes team?
Lanzini’s performance – and Pablo Fornals’s recent dip in form – has seen West Ham fans calling for the Argentine to start against Chelsea on Monday night.
But many West Ham fans feel there simply isn’t room in a Moyes side for Lanzini and £30million new boy Said Benrahma.
Moyes is known for favouring the functional over the fun.
Benrahma has proved some West Ham fans wrong in their assumption he doesn’t work hard just because he is a skilful player.
But neither the Algerian nor Lanzini puts in the kind of shift Fornals does for the team from a defensive perspective.
Some Hammers fans are concerned including both Benrahma and Lanzini in the same side from the start could leave the team exposed.
Especially against a side with top players like Chelsea.
Lanzini insists he can play with £30m man
Speaking to West Ham’s official website, though, Lanzini refutes the suggestion. And he insists he and Benrahma can play in the same team.
“Yes of course,” Lanzini told whufc.com when asked if the duo can play in the same team given they share similar qualities.
“Of course I can play alongside Said, because he is a player who can play.
“He likes to take the ball, to dribble, to pass and to go.
“He is a very good player and of course we can play together.”
Lanzini makes a good point.
After all the last time West Ham had a season as good as this was five years ago when Lanzini teamed up with Dimitri Payet to devastating effect.
West Ham fans will be hoping he can strike up a similar understanding with Benrahma and lead the Hammers into Europe.
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