The outstanding Argentine speaks to West Ham TV after agreeing to stay with the Club for the next four seasons
Manuel Lanzini has committed his future to West Ham United by signing a permanent four-year contract with a further two-year option.
The outstanding South American has been impressive since joining the Hammers on an initial season-long loan from Emirati club Al-Jazira, scoring on his debut in the UEFA Europa League last August and dovetailing superbly with Dimitri Payet.
The 23-year-old told West Ham TV he is delighted to be a Hammer for the long-term, of how Slaven Bilic instilled huge belief in him and how much he loves living in London. A firm fans' favourite, the No28 believes the Club has a bright future ahead which he is happy to be a part of.
Manu, you are a West Ham United player for at least the next four seasons, so what is your reaction?
“I am absolutely delighted to have signed and to be able to stay at this Club. I really feel at home here, and when you feel at home somewhere, you definitely don't want to leave.
“I am very happy and now what I want to do is to keep giving the best of myself.
Since arriving at West Ham United, your injury aside, surely you could never have dreamed that you would settle into the Club so well, and be so warmly accepted by the supporters?
“When I arrived, I wanted to do so playing my best football, but I knew it would be a little bit difficult because I'd come from a type of football where the tempo and perhaps the quality were a little bit lower, but the truth is that I was able to get back to full fitness straight away.
“What really helped was the confidence I got from the coaching staff and my teammates, so I am very pleased. We've had a great season and it's not over yet, so from a personal standpoint and from the standpoint of the whole Club, it's been great.
“I am really thankful to the fans because they have helped me at all times.”
As you say, the season is not yet over, so what can we achieve over the next two months?
“Well, I certainly hope we can achieve some very big things. We’ve already done very well, and it’s already been a very good season, and when you’re so close to achieving your objectives, of course you want to keep dreaming.
“Of course, if we continue on the right path, we can certainly achieve what we want.”
You mentioned that the coaching staff have given you confidence – how so?
“Both Slaven Bilic and the whole coaching team showed a lot of confidence in me and invested a lot of belief in me and I’m now showing that and demonstrating why I was given the chance to play.
“Obviously there is more to come from me. I’m just 23-years-old, I’ve got a lot to learn and I hope to keep giving 100 per cent here for West Ham.”
Looking into the future, we have a fantastic new Stadium to move to in the summer and a fantastic squad of players, so can we become one of the biggest clubs in the country?
“I certainly think so, not only in terms of the Stadium, but also with the players we have here. They are both factors which will not only help the Club reach the next level, but also to become a much bigger club than it already is.
“We really hope we can make everyone very happy with the situation.
“The way we are playing is really good and we’ve achieved some great things so far, so I really hope we can make the fans very happy by continuing on this path.”
You grew up in Buenos Aires in Argentina, have lived in Rio in Brazil and also in the United Arab Emirates, but seem to be very much at home in London…
“Absolutely. It’s a great city and I’ve always said that. It’s definitely one of the greatest cities that I have lived in.
“I always had big dreams as a child, but you never know what the future is going to hold. Thanks to God, I’m here, I’m enjoying the city, I’m enjoying the people and I really see my future here.”
The outstanding South American has been impressive since joining the Hammers on an initial season-long loan from Emirati club Al-Jazira, scoring on his debut in the UEFA Europa League last August and dovetailing superbly with Dimitri Payet.
The 23-year-old told West Ham TV he is delighted to be a Hammer for the long-term, of how Slaven Bilic instilled huge belief in him and how much he loves living in London. A firm fans' favourite, the No28 believes the Club has a bright future ahead which he is happy to be a part of.
Manu, you are a West Ham United player for at least the next four seasons, so what is your reaction?
“I am absolutely delighted to have signed and to be able to stay at this Club. I really feel at home here, and when you feel at home somewhere, you definitely don't want to leave.
“I am very happy and now what I want to do is to keep giving the best of myself.
Since arriving at West Ham United, your injury aside, surely you could never have dreamed that you would settle into the Club so well, and be so warmly accepted by the supporters?
“When I arrived, I wanted to do so playing my best football, but I knew it would be a little bit difficult because I'd come from a type of football where the tempo and perhaps the quality were a little bit lower, but the truth is that I was able to get back to full fitness straight away.
“What really helped was the confidence I got from the coaching staff and my teammates, so I am very pleased. We've had a great season and it's not over yet, so from a personal standpoint and from the standpoint of the whole Club, it's been great.
“I am really thankful to the fans because they have helped me at all times.”
As you say, the season is not yet over, so what can we achieve over the next two months?
“Well, I certainly hope we can achieve some very big things. We’ve already done very well, and it’s already been a very good season, and when you’re so close to achieving your objectives, of course you want to keep dreaming.
“Of course, if we continue on the right path, we can certainly achieve what we want.”
You mentioned that the coaching staff have given you confidence – how so?
“Both Slaven Bilic and the whole coaching team showed a lot of confidence in me and invested a lot of belief in me and I’m now showing that and demonstrating why I was given the chance to play.
“Obviously there is more to come from me. I’m just 23-years-old, I’ve got a lot to learn and I hope to keep giving 100 per cent here for West Ham.”
Looking into the future, we have a fantastic new Stadium to move to in the summer and a fantastic squad of players, so can we become one of the biggest clubs in the country?
“I certainly think so, not only in terms of the Stadium, but also with the players we have here. They are both factors which will not only help the Club reach the next level, but also to become a much bigger club than it already is.
“We really hope we can make everyone very happy with the situation.
“The way we are playing is really good and we’ve achieved some great things so far, so I really hope we can make the fans very happy by continuing on this path.”
You grew up in Buenos Aires in Argentina, have lived in Rio in Brazil and also in the United Arab Emirates, but seem to be very much at home in London…
“Absolutely. It’s a great city and I’ve always said that. It’s definitely one of the greatest cities that I have lived in.
“I always had big dreams as a child, but you never know what the future is going to hold. Thanks to God, I’m here, I’m enjoying the city, I’m enjoying the people and I really see my future here.”