Felipe Anderson has not exactly shone in the Premier League since West Ham United paid £40million to sign him from Lazio.
Did West Ham United spend £40 million on a luxury player? In the eyes of former Hammers hero Don Hutchison, that is a genuine possibility.
Supporters wanted to see ambition in the transfer market after some really underwhelming signings in recent seasons, and a club-record deal for Lazio’s Brazilian star Felipe Anderson looked like the marquee addition fans were craving.
Anderson arrived with the reputation as a real entertainer; a jet-heeled forward capable of roasting full-backs and getting bums off seats for all the right reasons. But expectation is yet to become reality.
Stand-out moments have been few and far between from the 25-year-old and he was disappointing yet again in the 3-1 home defeat to rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup, subbed off at the break after an ineffective display.
Hutchison, who regularly commentates on Italian football, admits he saw the warning signs a mile off.
“He’s a glider with the ball, he’s got fantastic feet, he can take people on. He’s got all the ability in the world but you will only see him once every four or five games,” Hutchison told the Football Daily Podcast.
“He was anonymous for 45 minutes (against Spurs) and it was no surprise when he was taken off at half time.
That’s why none of the top clubs would touch him, because he’s inconsistent. It was the same when West Ham got Dimitri Payet, he’s come with a little bit of baggage and that’s why West Ham were allowed to get him.
“I get so frustrated when I watch him because he’s fantastic.”
Anderson certainly has the potential to be one of the most exciting attacking players anywhere in the Premier League. But he was only trusted to start nine Serie A games in his final season at Lazio, so the red flags were always there.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
