Manuel Lanzini is convinced that West Ham have snared one of the league’s top right-backs in Pablo Zabaleta.
The Argentine defender joined the Hammers on a free transfer earlier this summer after nine seasons at Manchester City.
Zabaleta won two Premier League titles at the Etihad but knee injuries curtailed his involvement over his final years at Manchester City.
However Lanzini is convinced that the 32-year-old still has a bright future ahead of him at the London Stadium and backed Zabaleta to make a major impact on West Ham’s shaky defence.
Lanzini told Standard Sport: “It is very good for me to have someone from Argentina join the club! We have spoken many times, he is a very good person and a very good player.
“I think he is one of the best right-backs in the Premier League, he has been here for nine years, which is amazing.
“His experience will be very important to us. He has played for a very big club in Manchester City and I think he will be very good for us.”
Zabaleta may not be the only former Manchester City player lining up in Slaven Bilic’s defence next season, with West Ham confident of tying up a deal for England goalkeeper Joe Hart before the end of the week.
Whilst co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan look to add to Bilic’s squad, with Stoke wide man Marko Arnautovic the subject of two rejected bids, the Hammers first team are in Austria for their summer training camp.
New head of medical services Gary Lewin has the Hammers on a gruelling schedule of double sessions in their camp at Bad Waltersdorf but Lanzini is enjoying the chance to be back among friends.
In Pictures | West Ham's away kit for the 2017-18 season
“It’s very good to see the team again. I spent some good time with my family and friends over the summer but I was looking forward to coming back to training and to see my team-mates.
“Pre-season is a good time to spend together as a group – we can talk together about our holidays and our families. It’s good for the team and it helps with our work.
“We are working very hard but it is also very important to enjoy it.”
West Ham United launched their 2017/18 home kit in unique style, with supporters filming Sky Sports style ‘walk-ups’ to be shown on the big screens at London Stadium. Get 10% discount on home shirts today in-store or online at officialwesthamstore.com.
