Across a glittering career for Club and country, West Ham United’s Argentine jewel Manuel Lanzini has shared a dressing room with some top players in east London and picks his Ultimate XI from the 106 he has shared a pitch with during his time in Claret and Blue.
Nearly eight years on since scoring on his debut in a UEFA Europa League tie in Romania in 2015, and with over 200 appearances under his belt for West Ham, Lanzini has a huge pool of players to choose from. But who makes the cut?
Goalkeeper – Łukasz Fabiański (West Ham United)
I have to go with Łukasz. He has had a top career in the Premier League and has been really important for us during his time at West Ham.
Right-back – Pablo Zabaleta (West Ham United)
Pablo is a really good guy. Amazing guy, even. I still speak to him a lot obviously, especially after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup as well last year.
Centre-back – Kurt Zouma (West Ham United)
I could have gone with the Ginger Pelé (James Collins) but I’ll have to pick Kurt Zouma. Top defender!
Centre-back – Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United)
Nayef is a great player and showed that at the World Cup as well. He has to go in my team!
Left-back – Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United)
At left-back, I couldn’t decide whether to go with Cress or Emerson, but Cress will be angry if I don’t go with him! He signed just one year before me, I think!
Centre-midfield – Declan Rice (West Ham United)
He was a defender when he first played in the senior team, but Dec got moved into central midfield. He has everything and can go on to be a top, top player. The mentality he has is on a different level as well.
Centre-midfield – Manuel Lanzini (West Ham United)
I couldn’t decide if I would put myself in the team or not – but I have!
Centre-midfield – Lucas Paquetá (West Ham United)
He is an amazing player. It was between him and Alex Song, who had such quality in training, but Lucas has to go in the team!
Right winger – Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
I have played alongside Jarrod since he joined West Ham in 2020. He works so hard down the right and has a lot of quality with his left foot too.
Striker – Marko Arnautović (West Ham United)
I would change his mentality, but he had everything you would want as a striker. He was a top player though. Aggression, finishing, everything.
Left winger – Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)
Dimi was the sort of player who could win the game on his own. He is probably the best player I have played with at West Ham United.
Manager – Slaven Bilić (West Ham United)
We had an amazing squad under Slaven, so I will have to go with him.
