Manuel Pellegrini is thrilled to have captured his No 1 priority player Felipe Anderson.
He doesn’t quite put it that way but it’s well known that the former (how good that sounds) Lazio star has arrived and could easily become the player around whom he builds his side.
Talking of the 25-year-old Brazil midfielder – the Hammers’ seventh summer capture – the boss said: “Felipe has a very natural and skilful ability, in the traditional style of Brazilian football, but has proven at Lazio that he also has the strength and mentality to play at the top level in European football.
And the boss delivered high praise on the Hammers hierarchy for supporting the big investment in squad reinforcement.
He said: “We are very happy with the players we have signed since I arrived and it gives us a big confidence ahead of the new season.
“The club have made a very big investment this summer and I must thank the owners for their support and backing.”
Sounds as though there are not likely to be any more big name signings based on the interview doesn’t it ? It is a shame we haven’t got Joao Mario back and I still think we need a specialist defensive midfielder and possibly a better left back such as Laxalt, having said that this is the most excited I have been following a transfer window, the Chairmen have exceeded expectations and I hope Pelle can now forge this talent into a team COYI !!!
Reported the business been done essentially
Just had a thought that perhaps Cullen will be one of the defensive midfielders, is not shy of a tackle, reads the game pretty well and is good on the ball, huge step up to try and do that in the PL but maybe Pelle has his eye on him for that position ?
There is definitely a problem in midfield that hasn’t been addressed,I can’t see Pelle ignoring the fact if he did indeed watch our games last year,this was and as things stand still is the fans No1 priority position to improve and here we are with £100m spent and no CDM in sight,I realise it will be tough integrating so many players,so perhaps Peller will wait to upgrade this position and has someone earmarked to see how we roll,or maybe he has someone in mind that’s a loan with a view or a freebie,the defenders might be of a higher standard this season but we still don’t want teams to walk through our midfield again.COYI
He now has Wilshere, Noble, Kouyate, Anderson, Yarmolenko, Masuaku, possibly Declan, Antonio to fill 4 places Baddow
We stIll have Pedro Obiang , or have we accepted a suitable bid?
Honestly, I’m hoping most of the recent news of sales is the usual guesswork. Pellegrini needs to hold off losing Antonio, Obiang and Kouyate (not even going into Arnie) until they have their shot. Unless we”re truly needing to make up some funds, they need to have a shot at playing in this new lineup. Antonio and Kouyate have been immense until last season where few Hammers really played their best. Seems crazy to discuss selling Kouyate and Antonio to sign other players in their positions. They’re proven EPL players that know West Ham and we’d be in danger of repeating Evertons mistakes signing a new first 11 that end up not gelling and cost us a season or more. Also, we are unlikely to lose value on them before January and they could easily gain value with a good first half season, especially with the inflated January window prices. Just my tuppence.