WHZ view: Manuel Lanzini running out of time to save West Ham career
Long-term West Ham servant Manuel Lanzini has been in disappointing form once again this campaign, and the club may be forced to make a decision about his future soon.
The Argentine has two years remaining on his contract but he hasn’t been the same player since tearing his ACL in 2018.
Lanzini has made 50 appearances for the Irons, scoring two and assisting 15 goals since that period of rehabilitation a few years ago.
It has been a frustrating spell for the 27-year-old, who once offered us so much flair and creativity in attack.
In a rare start against West Brom on Tuesday, he looked a shadow of his former self.
He had a brilliant second-half chance to score following Michail Antonio’s lay-off but his shot was headed off the line.
Despite West Ham winning the match and looking confident throughout, our number 10 could only muster up one successful dribble and one key pass, per WhoScored.
With increased competition for places coming for Said Benrahma, Pablo Fornals and Andriy Yarmolenko, it is difficult to see when Lanzini will add to the two league starts he has made this campaign.
David Moyes often operates without an attacking midfielder, particularly when we come up against the big teams – with Fornals and Jarrod Bowen often chosen to occupy wide roles.
If he reverts back to a five-man defence Lanzini’s days could be numbered, as he simply would not warrant a place in the side.
The club may have reached that conclusion too if a report last week is anything to go by.
The Sun suggest West Ham want to swap Lanzini for Marseille’s Morgan Sanson, and that means he is running out of time and chances to prove himself to Moyes.
In fact, since the Scot arrived Lanzini has started just eight league games, so it makes sense to get rid considering his weekly salary of £70,000.
It is a disappointing way to end his career in East London, but the best solution for both parties could be to move him on either this month or in the summer.
In other West Ham news, the club has registered an interest in a striker plying his trade in Italy.