Former West Ham striker Tony Cottee believes the Hammers should build next season’s team around midfielder Manuel Lanzini.
Writing in his column for the Newham Recorder, Cottee says Lanzini has been one of the few standout performers this season, and has taken on the mantle of the club’s key playmaker following the exit of Dimitri Payet in January:
“Going forward we should look to build the team around him because he is a little magician and following Dimitri Payet’s departure, we were looking for someone to step up and take the mantle and I feel he has.”
The Argentinian’s form has certainly picked up since the departure of Payet. After scoring three goals in the first half the season, the 24 year old has managed five goals since the turn of the year, while also providing two assists.
Manager Slaven Bilic still tends to alternate his position in the side depending on the formation he uses. He spent the majority of the game against Spurs on Friday night playing from the left hand side, but he has more often than not been employed through the middle of the pitch by the Hammers this season.
