Manuel Pellegrini believes his namesake Manuel Lanzini will add a new dimension to his West Ham United team when he returns from injury.
The Argentina playmaker is edging closer to making his comeback after recovering from knee surgery and could be named in Pellegrini’s squad for Friday’s Premier League derby with Fulham at London Stadium.
And the Chilean believes Lanzini is ready to play without fear and provide much-needed creativity to the Hammers over the closing months of the season.
Having seen his team score just three goals in their previous five league matches, only one of which has ended in victory, Pellegrini is ready to welcome back a player who scored five goals and assisted nine more last season.
I think Manuel Lanzini for every manager would be a player that makes a difference
Manuel Pellegrini
“I think that seeing Manuel working during the last two weeks, for me I am confident that he will return in a very good shape because he is not afraid,” the manager confirmed. “Maybe when you have such a long injury in your knee, when you start working you maybe a little bit afraid to have a kick or something he is working as if he has not been operated on for his knees, so I hope he will return a very good performance.
“[He is the perfect player for us] not only in the way I like to play football. I think Manuel Lanzini for every manager would be a player that makes a difference.
“[He adds a new attacking dimension] of course, for me as a manager the more options you have the better you can play than if you don’t have options.”