Felipe Anderson was yesterday confirmed to have joined FC Porto on loan from West Ham United for the season, but he admitted in an interview with Talksport that his time at the Hammers is still not up.
The Brazilian had lost his place in David Moyes’ first-team as his loss of form combined with other players’ impressive performances over recent months saw him fall down the pecking order at West Ham.
Now Felipe Anderson has a chance to reignite his career and display the ability that he showed in his debut season at West Ham for the Portuguese champions and prove that he still has what it takes to make it in east London.
Talking on the White and Jordan show, Anderson said: “I’m sad that I’ve not been able to help the team as I’d like, but going to Porto is a great opportunity for me to show that I’m still motivated.”
He did admit that he was disappointed to be leaving the Hammers but understands that it is up to him to show he still has a future at the club.
"On one hand, I'm sad to not be able to help the team as [much] as I would like."
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 7, 2020
"On another hand, I'm happy to have a great opportunity."
"I think it was the right decision for both sides."@F_Andersoon says he has mixed emotions after joining Porto on loan from #WHUFC. ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/hO4f7MiOAf
"“When I came to West Ham I had a goal and it’s frustrating to leave, but I understand that everything has changed and that I’ve lost my place in the team. I know I have a lot to show [as a West Ham player].“I think it was the right decision for both sides for now, and I have a contract here still with West Ham so next season I’ll be here so I need to do my best to be back stronger."
The 27-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign during his first season in the Premier League, scoring 10 goals in all competitions whilst dazzling Hammers fans with his fabulous array of skills, proving why the club made him their record-signing at the time.
"“I still have two more years of my contract with West Ham. This season I didn’t start in the way that I wanted to, to start playing and helping the team.“It is difficult to say [why I didn’t start the season in the team] because I am motivated, but the team now is doing great and I am happy for my teammates and the manager.“I just want to play and that’s why I believe it is a good decision for both sides.”"
A motivated and firing Anderson returning to West Ham next season would only benefit the club, as he has already displayed what he can do when in form.
It would, however, also give David Sullivan and co. the chance to cash in on the Brazilian and recoup some of the £42,000,000 that was originally spent on him back in 2018 when signed from Serie A outfit SS Lazio.
For now, though, it gives the opportunity for the club to bring another attacker in, with the likes of Brentford’s Said Benrahma being linked to the Hammers throughout the summer.
The domestic-only transfer window, which allows Premier League clubs to still deal with clubs from the football league, shuts on October 16 – allowing West Ham extra time to bring in some shrewd targets.