OPINION
West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini is no doubt aiming for higher things seeming as his side are sitting 13th in the Premier League.
A string of some poor results can drag them into the relegation mix and the fact that the injury list continues to pile up is not helping things in the slightest.
That is why the eventual return of attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini could not come soon enough for the Hammers.
He was incredibly influential last season in helping the Irons avoid the drop and the fans were no doubt sent into meltdown when he sustained a long-term injury.
However, it seems as though he may be returning in February according to Football.London, and his return could not come at a better time.
Pellegrini is fast running out of options in this position, with the likes of Andriy Yarmolenko out for the rest of the season – which leaves Felipe Anderson, Robert Snodgrass and Grady Diangana as the players to provide the creativity.
Yes, the 25-year-old has been out for a while, but there is certainly still space for him in the West Ham team – the Argentine offers something a little bit different to the number ten role that hardly no one else at the club can offer.
Can you just imagine him linking up with Anderson after the Brazilian’s brilliant form recently? It really would be a sight to behold at the London Stadium, and the fans would drool at the prospect.
The manager needs more options in the attacking role and Lanzini will fit the bill perfectly upon his return – in fact, he would be the final piece in the puzzle to finally catapult West Ham onto another level.
Jack Wilshere may have been signed in order to replace the playmaker, but it is safe to say that he is not as threatening on the ball as Lanzini is.
That is why his return cannot come soon enough – as he has the ability to bring West Ham to the next level based on the signings they already have.