Some people queried at the start of the season; what does new signing Felipe Anderson bring to West Ham United?

The Hammers endured a tough start to their Premier League campaign and a few started to question the decision to splash out around £35m for the Brazilian.

Yet the London side soon hit their stride and it wasn’t a coincidence that Anderson had started to settle into the English top flight at the same time.

The forward gives Manuel Pellegrini’s side a lovely bit of flair.

West Ham fans are known to favour players that keep them entertained, like Paolo Di Canio and Dimitri Payet did previously in the claret and blue, and Felipe is certainly an entertainer. His skill with the ball at his feet really galvanises the crowd.

The player himself stated last month in the match day programme (via Evening Standard) that he wanted to follow in Di Canio’s footsteps:

“I saw him many times and knew his importance there and here,”  

“I want to follow in his steps, play like him and earn a reputation like him. He was a great player and I want to follow that.”

That should be music to the ears of West Ham supporters.

Yesterday, the twenty-five year old grabbed his team’s winner as they beat fellow Londoners Crystal Palace. The goal was sublime! The Brazilian cut in from the lefthand side and from the edge of the box he expertly curled his shot around an opposing defender and into the opposite corner giving the Eagles keeper no chance.

Those pieces of magic can be priceless for those that love the ‘West Ham Way’!

After the Hammers precarious start to the season, they have found some form and now occupy tenth spot in the league and are only five points behind sixth placed Manchester United.

Winger Anderson leads the club’s league scoring chart with his six strikes in his first sixteen appearances. He’s also got one assist to his name but the Brazil international plays a big part in a lot of the build up play that leads to goals.

Felipe makes around 1.8 key passes per game, which is more than any of his teammates. On average he’s getting more touches than the rest and he makes 43 passes per Premier League fixture too.

The former Lazio player isn’t just a flair player though, he does trackback and works hard for the team. He’s currently his side’s third best tackler, making 2.4 tackles per ninety minutes according to Whoscored.

I think the West Ham midfield looks strong with the likes of Declan Rice, Robert Snodgrass and Mark Noble performing well in recent weeks. Felipe Anderson gives them added creative craft and that ability to change games with his flamboyant directness.

After his team’s victory over Palace, Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini told Football.London that he thinks that there’s more to come from his samba star:

“I think Felipe is, as I said last week, still needs time to get used to the Premier League but in every game he has demonstrated he is a top player.”

I agree with Pellegrini, I think Anderson is still adapting to the style of the Premier League and he’ll be a danger to any opponent once he’s fully settled into his new surroundings.

That should really excite the West Ham United support as they have a gifted star on their hands!

Posted on December 9th, 2018 by scott
Filed under: Article