Hammers legend Carlton Cole criticised West Ham winger Felipe Anderson, when speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate programme last night (25th February, 22:45).
The Brazilian made his return to David Moyes’s side against Liverpool on Wednesday night, having been out injured since early January.
But Anderson failed to deliver. He looked well off the pace, gave the ball away 17 times (Football Critic), and didn’t really threaten at all in the final third.
The 26-year-old joined West Ham from Lazio for £41.5 million in the summer of 2018 (BBC).
The South American impressed during his debut season in England, racking up 10 goals and five assists in 40 games for the Hammers (Transfermarkt).
He has been nowhere near as productive this term, however, with just one goal and five assists in 22 outings (Transfermarkt).
And Cole suggested that Anderson quite simply hasn’t been pulling his weight for West Ham, when speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate programme last night:
“Felipe Anderson for me is a great player but he’s just not pulling his weight about, at the moment. I don’t like to batter my colleagues as footballers, but he should be doing a lot more.”
Cole is absolutely spot on. Anderson really does need to do more. On his day, with his exceptional pace and skill, the Brazilian can be unplayable.
And West Ham really need the former Lazio man to find his best form between now and the end of the season, if they are to have any chance of avoiding the drop.
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