West Ham’s Argentinian playmaker Manuel Lanzini has ruled himself out of tonight’s clash with London rivals Chelsea.
The 27-year-old, who made the admission during a livestreamed gaming session of Fortnite, indicated that he would not be available as David Moyes’ plans were scuppered by the revelation that Lanzini had suffered a hamstring strain.
The creative midfielder has made a tremendous impact off the bench in recent weeks, rescuing a point for the Hammers against Tottenham with a thunderous long-range stoppage time equaliser in a 3-3 draw earlier in the season.
He was also instrumental in salvaging another point in the Hammers’ 1-1 stalemate against Crystal Palace last week, with a key role in the build-up play which led to a sensational bicycle kick equaliser from Sebastien Haller.
However, the Irons will be without Lanzini’s talents for tonight’s clash as the dynamic ace revealed on Sunday that he will miss the game at Stamford Bridge. He admitted in the chat during a Fortnite session: “Yes I am off tomorrow. I have a little injury in my hamstring.”
Moyes’ options for tonight look increasingly strained as Arthur Masuaku and Michail Antonio are also certainties to miss the clash with injury, with Fabian Balbuena, Aaron Cresswell and Jarrod Bowen serving as further doubts.
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Lanzini’s recent impact off the bench only exacerbates the frustration about his absence for tonight. His playmaking abilities have been instrumental in recent times, and his latest injury further reduces Moyes’ options at Stamford Bridge.
However, his absence could open the door for the likes of Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals to show that he might not yet be missed.
