The West Ham United teenager will be hoping to make an impact next season.
Following confirmation that Manuel Lanzini will be part of Argentina’s squad for this summer’s Olympic Games, there is one West Ham United player in particular who will be hoping to impress in his absence.
Martin Samuelsen was one of the few West Ham players to shine in their recent friendly defeat to Seattle Sounders, and the Norwegian international will be hoping to make the breakthrough at the Hammers next season after impressing on loan at Peterborough United last time out.
That was always going to be tough given the quality at West Ham manager Slaven Bilic’s disposal and yet with Lanzini missing for pre-season and the start of the Premier League campaign, Samuelsen will see a gap he could slot into, at least for the short term.
Both players are predominantly attacking midfielders who can operate on either flank if required, and anyone who has seen Samuelsen in action will know he possesses the balance, confidence and passing ability of a player considerably older than his 19 years.
Over the campaign Bilic will need his entire squad, so Samuelsen is likely to get chances between now and May. But having a chance from the outset will allow him to lay down a marker and ensure that Lanzini does not walk straight back into the starting line-up on his return.
Next season is a big one for West Ham and Samuelsen could be a breakout star; one who will see any potential path into the first-team and surely seize it with open arms.
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