Lukasz Fabianski and Felipe Anderson feature in team of the first half

Felipe Anderson

He didn’t make the starting XI but was named as the sole replacement/runner-up for Raheem Sterling of Manchester City – not bad. Considering Anderson looked an early bust in August, the shift to the impressive form he has kept since then has been pretty amazing to watch and has forced West Ham up the Premier League table.

He shattered the club record transfer fee for West Ham with his £36 million fee, garnering such a massive price tag due to manager Manuel Pellegrini’s desire to bring him in and make him the marquee man for his reformed West Ham. It took some time, but Anderson has reached that marquee status.

He opened his West Ham account by scoring a beautiful goal against Manchester United in September of this season. He lost his marker out front of de Gea’s goal and directed the low, driven cross from Pablo Zabaleta into the back of the net with a cheeky backheel flick. Unbeknownst to everyone, this would be the kicking off point for West Ham’s Brazilian dynamo.

Since then, Anderson has rung up 8 goals in 13 matches, earning him consideration for November’s player of the month, is likely to win December’s player of the month and has been given two (pending a third) in-form upgrades from EA Sports FIFA 18.

On pace now for 16 goals, Anderson is showing that he isn’t just in-form, he is a player who can consistently play at this high of a level. Since his arrival and coming out party West Ham have shifted from a team that plays a narrow, counterattacking style of football, relying on their striker to score all the goals, to a team who can hold onto possession.

The Iron’s have the personnel to stretch the longball, counterattack, and boast multiple goalscorers all while being defensively responsible and shutting down their opposition at the same time. It’s no coincidence that this change in playstyle surfaced in East London after Pellegrini’s target Felipe Anderson joined the Hammers.