OPINION
Samir Nasri has made an impressive return to life in England with a couple of promising displays for West Ham already.
The France international was instrumental in their 1-0 win over his former club Arsenal on Saturday afternoon as he ran the show in attack while also providing the assist for Declan Rice’s winner.
There is still some way to go regarding his fitness, with the 5’10” ace [Transfermarkt] managing an hour in the FA Cup before lasting 70 minutes against the Gunners, but the initial signs are seriously good, with Manuel Pellegrini admitting he was impressed by Nasri on Saturday [football.london].
At this rate it would be an absolute no-brainer for the Hammers to extend Nasri’s deal at the end of the season, and while there is still a long way to go until then, the possibility of that happening will have one West Ham favourite sweating buckets.
Manuel Lanzini has been on the treatment table for the entirety of the season so far after an unfortunate knee injury ruled him out of the World Cup in the summer, with it now looking likely he will be out for the whole campaign.
The Argentina international has previously been viewed as West Ham’s creative hub, with Lanzini providing the spark and guile going forward for previous Irons sides.
However, the introduction of Nasri complicates matters for him, and brings his place in the team into question.
Obviously having the two players around is a massive bonus for the club, who have two high-quality playmakers to call upon when both are fit, but Lanzini himself will no doubt be thinking hard about his place in the side.
Returning from such a long-term injury will be tough for him, and having to then displace Nasri from the starting lineup is a tough ask, and one which will give him sleepless nights in the months to come.
Hopefully he can recover fully and make his way back to being the player West Ham fans know he can be, before battling Nasri for that playmaker spot after that.
