I have never seen a player who reminds me of Luka Modric as much as Manuel Lanzini. Luka is my favourite player. He is my prototype of a great midfielder.

I put Luka in the Croatia Under-21s and then in the senior team and we have a special kind of bond. But Lanzini has the same kind of qualities.

Not many people had heard of him here but we had known him for a while. He was from River Plate, playing in a massive league and under huge pressure. They gave him No10 — a special number — at the age of 20. I wanted to sign him for Besiktas but it didn’t happen because the club received a better offer and he ended up at Al Jazira in the United Arab Emirates. But this time we got him at West Ham.

We have an option to sign him permanently at the end of the season and we will see what happens. What I do know is he is making our other players better.

Lanzini scored against Crystal Palace but his performance was good not for that reason alone. He always wants the ball. That’s why we put him in midfield.

He could play in a number of positions but his best is wherever the ball is. So he has to be central where he can have most contact.

He always makes himself available. If the players are in trouble, he comes and gets it. He does not look strong but some players can defy that physicality to impose themselves. Modric is the same and, like him, Lanzini is not afraid either. I am delighted with him.

