OPINION
With West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini being handed the massive bombshell that first team star Manuel Lanzini is set to sit out the entirety of next season through injury, the hunt is on to find the creative spark to take his place.
The Mirror have claimed that the Argentine wing wizard, who suffered the blow on international duty, is set to watch on from the sidelines until next summer, and it seems as though the Irons have filled his spot with the capture of Ukrainian star Andriy Yarmalenko.
However, Football.London state that Pellegrini has carried out a u-turn regarding the future of young winger Nathan Holland, with the 20-year-old said to have impressed the Chilean boss so much during pre-season that he is no longer being considered for a loan exit, as was expected heading into the summer.
Instead, it is reported that the young starlet is destined for more time in and around the first team, and with Lanzini’s absence, it gives Holland the chance to step up and stake a claim to follow in the footsteps of fellow promising talent Declan Rice, who is an established member of the senior side.
If Lanzini’s big blow results in Holland becoming a star in his own right, then that very grey cloud has a very bright silver lining, and it could be that the England under-19 international is West Ham’s next breakout star.
The Irons have a proud reputation of homegrown talent, and it may be Holland who is next to follow tradition.