Why Everton should offer Felipe Anderson an escape route in January

According to claims from TEAMtalk (h/t Liverpool Echo), Everton have been credited with an interest in out-of-favour West Ham star Felipe Anderson. 

The 27-year-old joined FC Porto on loan this past summer after being frozen out of the mix by David Moyes in East London. However, Anderson is expected to return to West Ham this month after making only 5 appearances for the Portuguese giants.

It has been claimed that the Brazilian attacker has fallen out with manager Sergio Conceicao, who hasn’t been impressed with the loanee’s attitude. (TEAMtalk h/t Liverpool Echo)

As per the report, Everton have targeted the former Lazio star has a replacement for Bernard, who could be offloaded this month. Nothing has been finalised but Bernard’s future at Goodison Park has been the subject of speculation due to a lack of game time under Carlo Ancelotti. 

Anderson established himself as a quality player during his five-year spell at Lazio, where he racked up an impressive 34 goals and 39 assists in 177 appearances. The Brazilian playmaker was snapped up West Ham in 2018 and went on to enjoy a brilliant debut season under Manuel Pellegrini, accumulating 9 goals and 4 assists in 36 appearances.

However, the 27-year-old failed to hit the same heights at the London Stadium last term. Injuries coupled with the change in approach under David Moyes limited him to just a solitary goal in 25 league appearances. Anderson was sent out on loan to Porto this past summer but things clearly haven’t worked out for him in Portugal.

Meanwhile, Everton can certainly do with another out-and-out winger in their ranks. Richarlison has been a regular fixture down the left but James Rodriguez has missed several fixtures over the past couple of months after a bright start to life in Merseyside.

Theo Walcott and Moise Kean are out on loan while Alex Iwobi and Bernard have offered very little in recent times.

Putting things into perspective, Everton would land themselves a massive upgrade on Bernard if they manage to strike a deal for Felipe Anderson this month. The Brazilian has had a shocking loan spell at Porto but his pedigree as a winger certainly can’t be overlooked.

Anderson’s impressive tally of goals and assists at Lazio, as well as his sparkling debut season at West Ham, shows that he’s more than capable of playing at a very high level.

Everton need quality alternatives in the final third heading into a hectic second half of the season. Considering that Rodriguez has already had his fair share of struggles with injuries, the inclusion of a proven performer like Anderson would surely hand a massive boost to Ancelotti’s dynamics. 

Verdict

Felipe Anderson lit up the Premier League with several moments of individual brilliance during the 2018-19 campaign. Things have gone downhill for him over the past 12 months but the Brazilian has enough quality and experience to come through the door at Everton as a useful addition to the club’s forward line. 

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Ancelotti is right up there with the best when it comes to extracting the best out of players. Having said that, the Toffees could have an absolute magician on their hands if he manages to help the Brazilian regain his confidence.