Frank McAvennie expects Manuel Lanzini to be key for West Ham in ‘huge’ games
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Manuel Lanzini has not had the most relaxing of two weeks but Frank McAvennie insists he will want to be a difference-maker for West Ham.
The Argentine attacking midfielder was involved in a car crash at the end of March [The Sun] and was subsequently left out of the Hammers side for their next game.
He returned to David Moyes’ side against Brentford as the Irons suffered a 2-0 defeat to put their Champions League hopes on the edge of the cliff.
Ex-West Ham striker McAvennie though knows how big some of the games left are for the Irons and is sure that Lanzini will want to play in every game.
“I don’t know what his temperament is,” McAvennie said to West Ham Zone. “He’s just been in a crash and he’ll be hoping to move on.
“There is huge games coming up for West Ham and I’d like to think that Lanzini will want to play most of them.
“If it wasn’t for Benrahma he’d be playing most weeks anyway.”
Lanzini didn’t have his best game against the Bees as West Ham lost more ground in the Champions League race.
He was suspended for the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Lyon but he will be available to Moyes for the return leg this week as the Irons look to invade France and return with a semi-final place in their luggage.
In other West Ham news, this BBC commentator tore into the Hammers after their defeat at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.