Wilshere for Lanzini? No, no, no

(Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)

There’s a big rumour doing the rounds on various websites that Manu Lanzini may face the axe with Jack Wilshere taking his place in tomorrow’s starting X1.

It’s based largely on the former Gunner taking over from him during the last half an hour against Palace as the team failed to create the chances required to break Roy Hodgson’s men down – and that after all is the playmaker’s job!

There’s also the knowledge that Pellegrini isn’t scared to drop players he doesn’t see as performing to the required standards although whether that’s true in this case will only be known at 11.30 tomorrow when the teams are announced.

His decisions in the past to axe the likes of Fabian Balbuena, Aaron Cresswell, Arthur Masuaku, Wilshere himself and even captain Mark Noble bear witness to his “no favourites” mentality,

However, with no Fabian Delph available to the Toffees and some serious midfield issues to solve, a decision to drop Manu would surely play straight into Everton’s hands.

This will not be a deep lying Everton looking to stifle the Hammers but a team on the move looking to score goals and escape the relegation position.

And that alone should ensure that the creator in chief starts and finds the space required to parade his often awesome skills.

If he is at his best there’s not a team in the country who can stop him.

COYI