Exclusive: Paul Robinson claims West Ham 26-yr-old looks like a different player

Paul Robinson has claimed that West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini hasn't looked like the same player since he returned from his long term injury absence. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-England international suggested that the Argentine is in need of regular game time to play his way out of his poor form, but may not be afforded that luxury by the struggling Hammers.

The 26-year-old ruptured his cruciate ligament in the build up to the 2018 World Cup, and only returned to action in the February of last year.

But Robinson believes that he has looked a shadow of his form self ever since then.

"To be fair he’s been suffering because he had a long spell out with his injury," he told Football Insider.

"He’s come back in and he hasn’t looked the same player.

"He needs game time, and it’s difficult to play like that when you’re playing in a team that’s not playing well."

Lanzini has yet to score in 18 appearances for the Irons so far this term, and drew a blank again in the demoralising 1-0 FA Cup defeat to West Brom on Saturday afternoon as the team's season plumbed new depths.

Despite this, he has started four of the five games David Moyes has overseen since returning to the club for a second time, generally operating as a secondary striker in support of target man Sebastien Haller.

In other West Ham news, the Hammers have submitted a new & improved seven-figure bid for an ace to replace senior man.