According to a recent report by Italian publication Corriere Dello Sport, Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli side are said to be targeting up to five attack-minded players this summer, including West Ham United’s Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson. The report suggests that the Naples-based club are keen to strengthen in the forward areas and that they’ve identified five potential names to target. Former Chelsea man Jeremie Boga, Werder Bremen ace Milot Rashica and Gremio starlet Everton Soares have all been linked with potential moves as well.
What Has Felipe Anderson Added To This West Ham United Side?
The Brazilian trickster arrived at the London Stadium in the summer of 2018, as part of the massive squad makeover that was conducted by the London club’s chiefs. Despite not having played a game in England before, it must be said that the former Lazio man did hit the ground running. Just 23 at the time, Anderson seemed to quickly become a regular in Manuel Pellegrini’s first-team, and his exploits down that left flank made him an instant hit with the West Ham faithful as well.
The former Santos academy graduate’s first season in England was commendable, to say the least, as he appeared in 36 of the Hammers’ 38 league fixtures, while also picking up an impressive tally of nine goals and four assists. This resurgence in a West Ham shirt caused many to expect more from the Brazilian, but the added pressure only seemed to be weighing him down. Despite having an excellent first term in England, the trickster still hadn’t quite settled in, and that became more apparent at the start of this term.
How Has Felipe Anderson’s Season Been?
The former Lazio man started the campaign as a regular in the first-team, owing mainly to the fact that he was their best player last time around. Despite some good displays in the opening weeks, Manuel Pellegrini’s struggles as the manager of West Ham meant that Anderson’s attacking form was affected too. When the Hammers sacked the former Manchester City head coach, Anderson’s playing time went down even more, with David Moyes preferring to go for an option who can provide raw pace.
What Does Felipe Anderson Add To This West Ham United Side?
The Brazilian international is an excellent dribbler of the ball, and providing him space in and around the final third tends to lead to a lot of goalscoring situations. Adept at beating a defender with his trickery, the former Lazio man has been one of the Hammers’ most standout players over the last couple of seasons. The trickster’s ability to fire in shots on target from improbable ranges make him a great attacking threat for West Ham, but the fact that he’s scored just one goal in the league this season will be a concern.
Should The Hammers Look To Sell Anderson?
David Moyes’ takeover at the London Stadium was off to the perfect start when they demolished a Bournemouth side with ease. Since then, things did take a turn for the worse. When they eventually did regain form, the gaffer had already demoted the Brazilian down to the bench.
Still only 26, the Santos graduate has a massive future ahead of him, and if the Hammers can get back what they paid for him a couple of years ago, then this would have to be classed as a fruitful investment.
