Manuel Lanzini

Location: London, England

It's a family affair. Happy Holidays from the Lanzinis! (Image: Imgur.com)

Born in Ituzanigó, Argentina, the young man caught the eye of scout Ramón Maddoni, known for discovering the likes of Juan Roman Riquelme, Carlos Tevez and Esteban Cambiasso, who wanted to take him to Boca Juniors for a test but the young Lanzini family firmly declined, declaring he only aimed to sign for the club he supported, Club Atlètico River Plate. In 2002 he started playing as playmaker in the Junior Divisions for River Plate, 6 years on River Plate would be crowned the Junior Division champions, with the Superclásico against Boca Juniors finishing 3-0, Lanzini would be involved in all 3 goals, scoring twice and assisting a third. In August of 2010 he would finally make his debut for the senior team making him one of the youngest player to do so in River Plate history. He was loaned out to Fluminese of Brazil for the 2011-12 season in which he made 22 appearances with 4 goal involvements. The following season he'd return to his boyhood club River Plate and in the 4 seasons that followed he'd go on to make 69 appearances, hitting the back of the net 13 times and registering 9 assists. His final season at the club would be a memorable one as it would be one of the most successful in the clubs history, winning the Torneo Final and the Copa Sudamericana. The Argentinian magician would leave River Plate in 2014 after 12 years at the club and would sign for UAE side Al Jazira, a spell that would be short lived. In 2015 he signed for West Ham United on loan, a deal that would be made permanent a year later. Over the next 3 seasons he'd become one of West Ham United's starlets and most influential players, starring in 99 games with a combined tally of over 30 goals and assist.