West Ham were brilliant against Southampton yesterday.
The Hammers looked like a totally different team when playing with two up top.
Brazilian ace Felipe Anderson missed the game through injury or illness (whichever report you believe).
And West Ham were given a glimpse what life would be without the 26-year-old.
Anderson has been really poor for the Hammers this season. His play has been slow and laboured, and he seems to be a shadow of the player who arrived at the London Stadium in the summer of 2018.
It will now surely be hard for the South American to force his way back into the West Ham team.
And could the Hammers do the unthinkable and move Anderson on in the summer?
It might just be wise to do so.
The east London outfit need to strengthen in four key areas – goalkeeper, right-back, centre midfield and centre forward.
Despite Anderson’s poor recent form, he should still fetch a decent fee – probably similar to the £41.5 million (BBC) West Ham paid for him 18 months ago.
And that money could be used to properly invest in areas that have been neglected over the past two-three years.
Hammers fans might be split on this one, however. On his day, the former Lazio man is an unbelievable talent. But he just doesn’t show what he is capable of on a consistent enough basis.
He is obviously very low on confidence at the moment. But West Ham need to weigh up whether they need the mercurial winger as much as they need a new ‘keeper, right-back, centre midfielder and a new striker.
It might just be time to move Anderson on.
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