Brazil legend Rivaldo has insisted Felipe Anderson is capable of being a major Premier League hit and can use West Ham as a stepping stone to bigger things.
The 25-year-old has had a mixed start to his Hammers career after signing this summer for a club-record £41million fee.
Ex-forward Rivaldo is convinced that Anderson has what it takes to be successful in English football if he can adapt to the rigorous demands of the league.
“He is a nice player, capable of adapting to English football,” said Rivaldo, as quoted by the Daily Star. “Yes, he will face some difficulties such as the physical demands of the league.
“But when you’re talented and professional you could prove your value and I believe he will succeed.
“West Ham is not a top team in England but is a reasonable club where he can improve, and show his quality as a player in order to make another jump in the future, perhaps to a bigger English club.”
OPINION
West Ham fans certainly won’t thank Rivaldo for suggesting that Anderson could use their club to get a bigger move to a rival Premier League club, especially after nearly doubling their club record to sign him from Lazio this summer. He has his work cut out at the moment keeping his place in a team that has succumbed to four consecutive defeats at the start of the new campaign. The Brazilian has looked good only in patches so far, most notably in a number 10 role during the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal. Anderson has struggled a little on the left flank, particularly with the defensive side and offered little help in quelling the attacking threat of Liverpool on the opening day. That said, with Manuel Lanzini out injured, Anderson looks the Hammer most capable of providing the bullets for main spearhead Marko Arnautovic, who has also had a mixed start to the campaign.