Manuel Lanzini may have played many times alongside Dimitri Payet at West Ham United, but it’s impossible not to say that the Argentine player’s form has improved since the Frenchman’s departure to Marseille.
Since Payet’s last game for West Ham – against Manchester United on the 2nd of January – Lanzini has managed three goals and two assists in the league.
That’s the same amount of goals he had in the previous 17 league games this season, and he didn’t have any assists in that period.
Lanzini’s good form was the subject of a story made by ESPN Brasil this week, with reporter João Castello Branco managing an interview with the player. Specially asked about Payet’s exit, Lanzini said: “Obviously, Dmitri’s departure was tough, because he’s a top player. But the truth is I feel good now, I believe the team trusts me very much.
“I need this, that they give me confidence, they give me the ball. I want to do the best for the team and I hope I can do this during the season.”
The player also spoke about the team getting used to the new stadium: “Yeah, it costed us to adapt. Little by little, we’re getting used to it. We’re playing better.”
Questioned about the chant the West Ham fans made for him, he seems to love it: “I’m very thankful to the fans because they’re incredible, they’ve always treated me very well. It’s huge for me.”
