Felipe Anderson Pereira Gomes popularly known as Felipe Anderson, plays as an attacking midfielder for English Premier League club West Ham United and the Brazil national team.
A renowned technically gifted midfielder, with a diminutive but long-limbed physique. Anderson is predominantly known for his pace, ball control, quick feet and excellent dribbling skills, which allows him to beat his opponents effortlessly. With his five years spell in Italian league, he has been able to develop tactically, which has made him a well-rounded and versatile player, capable of playing in different positions.
Due to his wide range of skills and ability to both create and score goals, Anderson has been used as a central midfield playmaker, though been more productive as either a winger or an attacking midfielder as he’s blessed with a powerful and accurate with either foot despite being naturally right-footed.
Felipe Anderson signed for West Ham United for a reported fee of £36 million which surpassed the previous record of £22 million paid for Issa Diop earlier in the same transfer window.
In his first season at the club, Anderson scored ten goals in 41 appearances, following his move from Lazio in the summer of 2018.
Speaking to Sky Sports his teammate Bowen said: “When I first came to training, Felipe Anderson, the skills he has got, are incredible.
“I think he was injured when I first came, but when he came back in training, the stuff he does, he is so calm about it and just makes it look so easy.
“He nutmegs everyone, luckily I am on his team for small-sided games usually, because he just nutmegs everyone and I don’t know how he does it.
“There are good players, but he has got to be up there with the best.”
Earlier this season under West Ham’s former manager Pellegrini, due to change of tactics which hasn’t obviously been favourable to Anderson’s strength, as someone who makes darting runs in behind defenders or gambles with bursts into the area when play is developing.
He was mostly seen on the wing, stretching the play without making use of his usual runs and burst into the opposition box, which has been his trademark moves.
The twist in system has now obviously affected his performance and ability to impose his style of play effectively in a match. He has mostly been criticized by the fans for been too disinterested or confused during a match.
His form and output became so underwhelming to the extent of having just a goal league contribution in 2019.
Under their new manager David Moyes’ first game, he looked like a different player to the one who scored just one league goal in all of 2019.
As it was reported when David Moyes took over at West Ham, he promised to deliver attacking football. And against Bournemouth, Anderson showed the fans the kind of performance they’ve missed under their previous coach. As he was the team’s focal point for most offensive threats during the game, bringing back old memories to the amazement of the fans.
After making his return from injury against Crystal Palace, Felipe has continued to be more willing to look for the ball, impose himself more in a game and create goal scoring chances for his teammates.
With David Moyes’ attacking system which coincides with Anderson’s strength, the fans would be hoping to see more from their playmaker when the league eventually continue.
