Lanzini relishing creative responsibility at West Ham

West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini admits the departure of Dimitri Payet from East London was disappointing for the club, but ultimately allowed him to flourish in the claret and blue this term.

The 24-year-old Argentinean playmaker has been a standout performer for the Hammers this season – scoring eight goals, notching up two assists, completing 87.2 per cent of his passes and making the most Premier League appearances of anyone at the club, with 34.

And Lanzini believes he has come into his own at the London Stadium even more since the departure of wantaway Payet in January, with even more responsibility on his shoulders in the No10 position.

“The season was good for me on a personal level,” he said. “At the beginning it was not great [as I suffered an injury on international duty in pre-season], but then I could achieve a good level.

“Dimi is a great player. He left and it was not good news for the squad but luckily at the end I had a very good season.

“[With the win over Tottenham], we achieved the points to stay in Premier League, which was the most important thing.

“We did not have a good start of the season, but now we need to think in the next game and the next season.

“For now, I am thinking of the next game then thinking of having good holidays with the family. I am very happy here.”