David Moyes insists Manuel Lanzini is ‘an important player’ for West Ham but admits competition in the squad is high after the arrival of eight new players in the summer
- David Moyes says experienced Manuel Lanzini remains ‘an important player’
- The midfielder signed for the club six years ago but isn’t playing much this term
- Moyes said that Lanzini faces ‘stiff competition’ after eight new signings arrived
- However, Moyes says the 29-year-old is still ‘doing really well’ for West Ham
West Ham manager David Moyes reveals experienced Manuel Lanzini remains ‘an important player’, despite limited appearances this season.
The Argentina midfielder signed for the club six years ago and since has made well over 200 appearances, with most of them coming under Moyes.
This season, however, the West Ham boss has handed the 29-year-old former River Plate star only four Premier League games.
West Ham boss David Moyes reveals experienced Manuel Lanzini remains ‘an important player’
That could change today as Moyes plots how to beat Crystal Palace at the London Stadium.
It was pointed out to the Scottish coach that Lanzini has scored more goals against Palace than any other team in his career (six in ten games).
‘Now I know that stat, it might make me think a bit more about that,’ Moyes admitted ‘He’s a great little character, we like him and he’s been a great servant to West Ham.
The Argentina midfielder signed for the club six years ago but isn’t playing much this season
Speaking about Lanzini, Moyes said: ‘We like him and he’s been a great servant to West Ham’
‘He’s still doing that really well. He has played a lot of the games in Europe and he’s around the first team. We like him a lot.’
Moyes explained his versatile midfielder has faced ‘stiff competition’ this season after eight new signings arrived in the summer and it has never been harder to secure a first team start during his reign in East London.
Moyes added: ‘If you look over the last few years he’s done a brilliant job for us.
Moyes said Lanzini faces ‘stiff competition’ after eight new signings arrived in the summer
‘He’s giving us a little bit more maturity by playing a bit deeper on the pitch than he has before. Before he would have played further up with his back to goal and maybe he is enjoying playing a bit deeper.
‘I have to say on his physicality, his numbers are excellent.
‘We are really pleased with Manu and we like having him. Obviously, there is stiff competition ahead of him but we like him and see him as a real important member of the squad.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk