There were very different reactions when West Ham United and Everton splashed over £40 million each on two Brazilians in the summer.
Both clubs had appointed new managers in Manuel Pellegrini and Marco Silva.
The Hammers and Toffees fully backed their new bosses too with a combined transfer outlay topping £200million.
West Ham broke their transfer record with the £42 million signing of Brazilian attacker Felipe Anderson.
Meanwhile Everton broke their own transfer record with the purchase of Richarlison from Watford for a similar fee.
Two Brazilians, £40million each, two very different reactions
The transfers received very different reactions, though.
The Richarlison fee raised plenty of eyebrows.
Many fans and pundits felt the Toffees had paid over the odds for a player who faded quickly following a strong start to life in England last season.
Silva service
So much so Silva was forced to defend the outlay (Daily Mail).
In London, the arrival of Anderson from Lazio was greeted by almost universal approval after he impressed in Serie A.
It is far too early to declare either player’s time at their new club a failure or success.
Richarlison already a feather in the cap for Everton boss?
Indeed Richarlison has the distinct advantage of having had a year head start to settle into Premier League life.
Everton’s new hero has adapted quickly to life on Merseyside and is starting to look a steal in the modern market.
Some West Ham fans have been left scratching their heads at Anderson’s valuation.
Reserve judgement
The Brazilian failed to stand out in consecutive defeats to Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Both must be judged over time and Hammers fans will be patient with Anderson given the huge outlay.
Richarlison has invigorated Everton and already looks a feather in the cap for Marcel Brands and Silva.
Anderson needs time but West Ham can’t afford for him to flop
Just as people were writing Anderson off and tipping Richarlison as one of the signings of the season, though, there was a distinct role reversal.
Anderson shone in a very unfortunate defeat to the Gunners and was arguably the best player on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Richarlison got himself naively sent off against Bournemouth costing his side all three points.
Crucially that means the young Brazilian will now miss the game against the Hammers.
Role reversal for Anderson and Richarlison
Anderson insists he welcomes the pressure his record signing tag brings.
The Premier League history books are littered with big money flops.
West Ham’s owners are unlikely to make £100 million transfer spends a regular thing.
So the Hammers can ill afford for Anderson to be the latest addition to that list.
Anderson has showed signs he is ready to grab the limelight while Richarlison spends some time in the shadows over the next few weeks.
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