You could forgive Crystal Palace hearts for sinking if Manuel Lanzini is named in West Ham United’s starting XI on New Year’s Day.
For the Hammers’ No10 has broken those hearts on at least three occasions in previous Premier League fixtures with the Eagles.
Lanzini scored on each of his first four appearances for West Ham against their rivals from south of the River Thames, helping the Irons score three victories and a draw, including two winners and a memorable third in a 3-0 home victory at London Stadium in 2017 that also featured Andy Carroll’s unforgettable overhead kick.
West Ham's 'Jewel' has been back to his best this season, having put injury problems behind him to inspire the Irons to fifth in the Premier League table and the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League.
As he prepares to face Palace for the tenth time in Claret and Blue, the Argentina international spoke West Ham’s continuing improvement and growth and looked ahead to kicking-off 2022 at Selhurst Park…
It must have felt good to get back to winning ways at Watford in your final Premier League fixture of 2021?
“It was obviously really good to get back to winning ways and to get the victory in that game, particularly after the last few games where we’d dropped our level a little bit, so it was something that lifted us and made us feel brighter going into 2022.”
Going into the Watford game, was your form a reflection of injuries and COVID, rather than something you were worried about in the dressing room?
“Not at all. It’s a difficult situation you find yourself in, but it’s about adapting to that situation and knowing what you have to do to get out of it. Like I said, luckily that victory we got really lifted us and gave us a more promising outlook going into the upcoming games.”
You are now just four points behind Arsenal in fourth, so is the top four your aim?
“Yes, of course, that’s our aim. Our aim is to get as high as we possibly can in the table and we know we’ve got the players and got the ability to do it, but the idea is to take it game by game and by this way we’ll go on to achieve what we can do.”
Balancing the Premier League with other competitions is always tricky, but how much have you enjoyed playing in Europe so far this season?
“A lot! I’ve enjoyed it a lot because obviously for me personally and for a lot of us it was a new competition, so it was very important for the Club and for us as players. Then, to go on and win the group was huge for us and really important going into the next stage of the competition. We can’t wait for it to get going again because we all really enjoyed it.”
The FA Cup kicks-off next weekend, so what are your priorities, and are cup runs a help or a hindrance as they add to the number of games you have to play?
“All competitions are important. As you go along, obviously some are more important than others, but as we’re fit and doing well, it’s all about getting as far as we can in competitions and finishing as high as we possibly can in the League. I think it’s really important for Club and for the fans, so we see each competition as being important.”
This is your sixth season at West Ham. Would it be fair to say it’s been a rollercoaster journey?
“It makes me really happy and really proud to know I’ve spent all these years here in the Premier League at this Club. It’s tough for players who come from abroad as the Premier League is the best in the world – many people say this about the intensity of games. I don’t know exactly how many seasons it is now, I hope I can go on to enjoy many more seasons at the Club.”
Is this the best period you’ve been in at West Ham?
“I think it is, at least in terms of the way we’re enjoying playing with each other, the results we’ve been getting and the state of the squad at the moment. It’s a really good group and that’s important. We’ve got good people and a really good understanding between one another and it’s like one big family here.”
You’ve got Crystal Palace up next. How much have you taken notice of them this season under Patrick Vieira?
“Crystal Palace are always a difficult team to face, particularly away from home. They’ve had some good performances and results there recently, but the way we can play, we have to go there looking for the victory and to come away with the three points. It will be a really tough game. They’re a good team with good players. I think it will be a really intense game, but we will be prepared and we hope to come away with the victory.”