Argentine midfielder also gives his backing to Mark Noble following criticism of the Hammers captain
Friday 17 March 2017 09:51, UK
Manuel Lanzini insists he is not feeling the pressure of attempting to fill the void left by Dimitri Payet at West Ham.
Payet left the Hammers in acrimonious circumstances in January having stated he would never play for the club again before sealing a return to Marseille.
Lanzini has scored three goals and provided two assists without the France international in the team and the Argentine midfielder says he is keen to repay manager Slaven Bilic for the continued faith that he has shown in him.
"Well, I would not say I am feeling the pressure at the moment," the 24-year-old told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Of course, Dimi was a very important player for us and we linked up very well on the pitch. He could help take the pressure off other players with the way he could create space and make things happen.
"But I am very comfortable with the way things are going at the moment and I feel that I am a very important part of the team, which is just what I wanted.
"I am feeling fit and confident. The coach has shown faith in me as have my team-mates and that's just what I need in order to show what I am capable of doing on the pitch."
Lanzini also gave his backing to West Ham captain Mark Noble following criticism of the 29-year-old from a certain section of the club's support.
Noble is closing in on 400 appearances for his boyhood club, but will not feature against reigning champions Leicester in the Premier League on Saturday due to injury.
Lanzini, who recorded his 50th Premier League appearance for West Ham in the recent 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, insisted Noble's presence on and off the pitch remains valued.
"It's very good playing alongside him," he said.
"It's also very good to play alongside experienced players, particularly ones that are truly loved at their club as they can teach you so much on and off the pitch.
"It's very important to have him around and I try to learn as much as I can by watching him."
West Ham, who currently occupy 11th place, will go in search of their first win in five matches when they welcome a revitalised Leicester to east London.
The Foxes have won their last three matches in all competitions since Craig Shakespeare took over from Claudio Ranieri and advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals last Tuesday following a 2-0 victory over Sevilla at the King Power.
Lanzini insists there is no reason why Leicester cannot go on to win European football's elite club competition, but hopes West Ham can inflict a first defeat under Shakespeare for the Foxes.
"Nobody thought they would win the Premier League last season and they managed that," he said.
"We know that everything is possible in football and there are always surprises, which is what makes it such a wonderful sport.
"At the moment they are full of confidence as a team, so why not?
"But it's a very important match for us as we need to get back to winning ways and a win would really help us build our confidence.
"In order to do that, we know that we need to play well. Leicester are achieving something historic in the Champions League, but we must focus on ourselves."
