You have to go back to 2018, one of West Ham's brightest stars who had been lighting up the Premier League had just had an amazing season, he was off to play alongside his hero and mentor Lionel Messi for his country Argentina, ahead of returning to the domestic league where newly ensconced manager Manuel Pellegrini had planned to build his entire team around the 'hot property' that WAS Manuel Lanzini, the Little Jewel.
Signed permanently from Al Jazira in 2016, Lanzini dazzled fans and pundits with his exquisite displays that saw him coveted by a host of teams both domestically and in Europe. All that came to an abrupt end when on the 8th of June 2018, Lanzini suffered a ruptured anterior knee ligament injury during a training session which ruled him out of the World Cup, in addition to virtually an ENTIRE Premier League season.
When he did return to the fray, the Little Jewel was a shadow of his former self, he lacked confidence and had most definitely 'lost a yard' or even more! After a series of lack lustre performances punctuated by what seemed like an endless run of niggling injuries, many were writing the diminutive 28 year old off.
Large sections of the Hammerd faithful wanted him gone, while lamenting his loss at the same time, mentioning what might have been. Well, you know what? The Little Jewel is BACK! Back with a bang and more some, master tactician and player motivator David Moyes in cahoots with Chicken Kev, Psycho and the rest of the backroom staff worked out a different, deeper lying role for 'Manu', and he hasn't looked back since.
He showed glimpses that he might be on the way back to his pomp last season. particularly with his 'wonder goal' against Tottingham, but he found game time hard to come by and had to settle for 'cameo roles' from the bench. To begin with, David Moyes used Lanzini very sparingly this season, but his performances indicated that he would become more and more of a viable option.
Manuel Lanzini's first goal in the 3-2 victory against Palace yesterday was a thing of beauty, a joy to behold, a reminder of what he is about and hopefully a portent of the future, Manu is BACK, he never really went away! - Ed
Comments
Given the injury he suffered
Its great to see Lanziniiiiiiiiiiiiiiii back to his best he is a special player and we are lucky to have him
Lingard
Exactly Hammergirl, so why this relentless pursuit of Jessie Lingard, who to be honest was not that fantastic towards the end of his loan spell with us. Manny is a team player who at least will try to help his mates out in defence, not so for Jessie, pass the ball to my feet and I'll show you some tricks, but ask me to track back and get stuck in...NO. Never posted before so while I'm at it, get rid of Arthur Masuaku, makes me nervous every time he gets the ball.
I've allways been curious as
I've allways been curious as to what makes a centre forward a centre forward ,a full back a full back and so on ,whos to say a F B cant play in a C F position and the other way round ,i think the football gods who made Masu a full back or even a wing back got it arse ways ,he's anything but,yet goin forward he can be amazing only thing is dont bring him past the half way line when we're defending ,its just a thought ,maybe he could be just what we're lookin for ,he seems to be 2 different players ,one ,defending, hasnt got a clue, very hesitant, in 2 minds whether or not to make atackle ,the other in the final third ,can go past defenders at the drop of a hat and some fabulous ball skills ,just a thought ,mind you ive had a couple of pints tonight .
Authur is a defensive time
Authur is a defensive time bomb-with a very short fuse!
Lanzini
Agree that he is getting back to his best. That was a spectacular goal, especially the jugglery with the ball before shooting that blinder. past the keeper. In the second half he seemed to have been running out of steam and was substituted. Still, he has earned his place in the starting lineup. Masuaku is not a left back. He looked more comfortable in an attacking position. Still he made one or two good tackles but loses his temper easily. However, both The Sun and The Daily Mail seem to be mouthpieces of Man United's pursuance of Declan Rice, just because West Ham will "not be in the Euro Champions League" next season. Why are they perpetrating this constant fake news? Neville You should push back at this media fodder, to try and persuade Rice to demand a transfer to ManU!!