Lanzini’s return further reduces West Ham’s reliance on Arnautovic

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Manuel Lanzini is in line for a return to the West Ham squad for their match against Fulham tomorrow night, according to the Times.

Lanzini tore his ACL before the 2018 World Cup but his painstaking road to recovery is reportedly close to its conclusion as he could make his first appearance since against the struggling Cottagers at the London Stadium.

Such a return would apparently be ahead of schedule because Lanzini was expected to miss the entire season and that’s an unexpected boost for Manuel Pellegrini, who has had a host of other midfield injuries to deal with this campaign.

And he also had to battle with a transfer wrangle over the future of Marko Arnautovic, who was the (Daily Mail) subject of interest from China before his move hit the rocks.

While Arnautovic is back playing again, the episode is likely to have made Pellegrini plan for a future without him and that’s where Lanzini comes in.

The Argentine, signed for a reported (Guardian) £9m back in 2016 has the quality to be the Hammers’ talisman and decrease their reliance on Arnautovic for inspiration.

He is not as prolific a goalscorer but he is better suited to Pellegrini’s quick-passing, intricate style of play than Arnautovic.

Pellegrini needs players he can rely on if Arnautovic eventually leaves and Lanzini is the best of his current squad in that regard.