Chelsea join 3-way fight for West Ham star but who needs him most?

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West Ham star Manuel Lanzini is reportedly wanted by Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte

After a fine season with West Ham United, the Express are reporting that Chelsea are the latest Premier League club to show interest in Manuel Lanzini.

According to the report, the reigning English champions are one of three teams leading the way to sign the 24-year-old along with Everton and Liverpool.

So of these three clubs who actually needs Lanzini the most?

Interestingly, the Argentine has most recently been playing as part of a 3-4-3 with the Hammers, the formation that has famously worked so well for the Blues this season.

Yet while on the face of it that would suggest the best fit, the way Lanzini plays in central midfield for Slaven Bilic is not something Antonio Conte is as comfortable with. The Italian prefers his two men in the middle to protect the back three, hence why Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante have been given more opportunities ahead of Cesc Fabregas in 2016/17.

West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini celebrates scoring their second goal

A three-man defence with wing-backs is something Ronald Koeman has experimented with as well, although the Toffees boss is more fluid with his tactics and generally plays a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1.

Lanzini is adaptable to either and with Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin behind him the South American would have the freedom to push forward. Much of this would depend on the potential exit of Ross Barkley, however, who is currently the man highlighted for that role.

Finally, Liverpool, a side whose style under Juergen Klopp would definitely appeal to the attacking nature of Lanzini. Klopp’s tactics are less flexible, but certainly favour the more offensive player.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp

The question would be whether Lanzini would get the opportunities, though, with competition from Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum and Philippe Coutinho in his preferred role.

Arguably, Koeman, Everton and the promise of European football is the most sensible step up for the Argentinian should he choose to leave the London Stadium.