OPINION
It will have been bitterly disappointing for the West Ham United supporters to hear that playmaker Samir Nasri is a doubt for Saturday’s clash with Everton.
The Frenchman has only just returned from a previous setback, and he looked outstanding off the bench against Huddersfield Town last time out.
The 31-year-old changed the game when he came on, proving to be the catalyst who swung the contest in the Hammers’ favour. However, it now appears unlikely that he’ll be able to perform similar heroics against the Toffees.
“I forgot to tell you about injuries, Samir has a problem in his calf this week so he might not be able to play,” manager Manuel Pellegrini said at his pre match press conference on Thursday, as per Football London.
Nasri’s absence is a major worry for Pellegrini and crushing blow for his side, because his team had struggled to score from open play until the former Manchester City man entered the contest against the Terriers.
Who will step up in the Frenchman’s absence, then? The most obvious candidate, you’d have to say, is Manuel Lanzini. The Argentine international, on a reported £70,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac], hasn’t quite found his groove since returning from a long-term injury, and now he needs to step his game up.
West Ham’s success at the London Stadium will be contingent upon whether the 26-year-old can produce the same sort of cutting edge that Nasri did in the second half against Huddersfield. If he can, then you’d expect the Hammers to be victorious, but if he doesn’t then they could be in some trouble.
Pellegrini will know that Lanzini must come to the party on Saturday and he’ll be telling the Argentine as much. Let’s hope the player produces on the day.
