By Hugh Southon
If you are feeling bad tonight multiply the feeling 100 times and you may just feel as bad as poor Manu Lanzini.
What terrible, devastating, horrendous news and right here, right now ClaretandHugh sends him absolutely all the very best in the world on a day of devastation for the lad.
Manu has been a brilliant pro and one of the genuine nice guys since he arrived from Al Jazira in an £8 million deal which proves fortunes do not have to be spent to get the best or close to it.
Tonight, however, is no time for that as all our thoughts go out to the guy who has been the total professional from the moment he walked into Upton Park.
We all feel sick because he is not only a great player and person but he was approaching the peak of his career and make no mistake, from all I’ve been told he was the key player in Pellegrini’s set up for next year.
A blog on ‘what do we do now’ can wait for now. The only point of this one is to say: “Manu mate, we all share your pain – we are all on your side- we are all rooting for you and we are hoping and praying that you can make a recovery which will again allow you to thrill us all because at your best you are truly special.”
COYI
As well as players injured on international duty we have some injured by agricultural tackles from lower league players in cup games – Kieron Dyer (much maligned but never got a real chance due to the league cup tackle) and Pedro Obiang come to mind
Wretched luck for the young fella. The docs can work miracles these days so let’s hope it works out for him. This is the other side of the wealth & glamour of professional football & the bit we often forget about when we moan about selfish players who show no loyalty & only care about money.
Well put Hugh – good piece there is nothing more that I can add
Horrible, not sure I have owt else to add than that I hope he makes as close to a full recovery as possible. Desveres to have his name sung from the terraces when the easons starts.
Great piece Hugh. As you say whatever our thoughts are as Hammer fans what must they be like for him. We seem to be very unlucky when our players go to play for their respective countries, Sakho came back injured and there was Ashton who never really played again after his injury while with England. Our thoughts are are with you Manu. COYI!
So sad for Manny right at a world cup..he must be gutted I think he would of surprised a few as well …get well soon mate