Can River Plate transfer target fill Toronto FC Bernardeschi, Insigne void? | OneFootball

With the transfer window around the corner, Toronto FC may have more motivation than anyone to make a big splash following the exits of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.

And according to Renzo Pantich, an Argentine journalist who specializes in River Plate,the Reds have Manuel Lanzini on their list.

The River midfielder has some attributes that will benefit the team, and some others that don't. Let's start with the advantages.

Lanzini can bring others into the game

Manuel Lanzini returned to his native Argentina after a lengthy spell in the Premier League with West Ham, meaning not only has he played at the highest level, but he's also capable of functioning well in an English-speaking culture.

He made 179 career EPL appearances over seven seasons, scoring 27 goals for the Irons and assisting 17 more. And his track record would instantly give him some leadership credibility in a mixed TFC roster that could use it following the Italians' departures.

And as an offensive midfielder, Lanzini would bring a different look to the Reds' attack than the Bernardeschi-Insigne approach, which could be at times brilliant, at others stagnant, and at still others combustible.

The Argentine is someone who lives by playing simple football. He keeps it pure: fast passes, few touches. This will maintain the offensive momentum gained by the team, not a single player's brilliant maneuvering.

Can Lanzini stay fit?

His biggest flaw is his inability to stay healthy. He hasn't played 30-plus league starts in a single season since his second campaign with West Ham in 2016-2017. A major knee injury kept him out of the 2018 World Cup, and more recently, he missed about three months with a muscle strain. (Find a more complete injury history here from Transfrmarkt.)

That could bring a repeat of a similar problem that plagued Insigne in particular, who missed time across multiple seasons with recurring leg muscle issues.

In short, TFC need to be clear-eyed on what they are looking for before making a decision. Manuel Lanzini is a good option if Reds sporting director Jason Hernandez wants a quick answer to try and salvage the season. But he's not the kind of player who should be the cornerstone of a long-term rebuild.