Manuel Lanzini is this morning reported to have has withdrawn from Argentina’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers with a knee injury.
Sky Sports have reported the news amid rumours that he suffered a new setback in his appearance against Newcastle at the weekend.
That remains unconfirmed at this stage but it would be a bitter blow should it be the case after the player missed most of pre-season and the opening two Premier League games.
It seems more likely that his nation are likely to risk him given he has only had 45 minutes football this season and looked ring rusty in the second half at St James’ Park.
He was set to be involved in Argentina’s matches away at Uruguay on Friday followed by the home game against Venezuela next Wednesday.
But his absence has a positive spin off for the Hammers ensuring the playmaker is at no risk of further injury on international duty.
He was limping and looking at his leg minutes after coming on at Newcastle, so I think he was not yet ready. It explains why he was used at left-back and right-back instead of further forward. He was ineffective which is very unusual for him in any position.
Hopefully the break will give him enough time.
Too much weight is being put on this bloke’s shoulders. Rule One at West Han- your key player will spend most of the season injured, so you should prepare for this. Although you could always just take a massive gamble, which is cheaper. This is the approach our owners prefer to follow so I will be surprised if there is a successful bid for a creative midfielder.
His international absence has a positive spin for West Ham? Really? I see nothing positive in rushing back a key injured player because we’re desperate, only to see him injured again. Have we learnt nothing? A new medical team, but same old pressure to play players too soon. There’s nothing positive in this at all.
I am starting to ask myself if we should not have bid for Boulebouz after all…
Boozybooza will end up in rehab with poppodom who still ain’t fit lol😉
Another one who comes to mind is william Vainqueur. Completely on the bench at Roma. And eager to play.