Danny Mills has claimed that Felipe Anderson’s poor performances are adding to the pressure on under-fire boss Manuel Pellegrini. Speaking to Football Insider, the former England defender used the Brazilian’s name specifically as an example of the multiple underperformers who have pushed Pellegrini towards the exit door.
Discussing the £40.5m-rated left-winger’s performances this season, Mills said: “That’s where the manager’s come under a little bit of pressure. There’s a lot of talent, like Anderson, a lot of talented players in that side and they’re underperforming.
“That’s where the fans are starting to have doubts, if you’re below the levels that people expect, you come under pressure.”
TIF Tactics – Huge pressure on Anderson to create
Anderson has yet to contribute an assist since October and is yet to register his first goal of the season, per TransferMarkt. The former Lazio star has started in 92% of their Premier League fixtures this season but unfortunately looks a shadow of the player the club signed in 2018.
However, it is worth noting that Anderson hasn’t been helped by the likes of Pablo Fornals – brought in over the summer to create but who is yet to have an impact.
West Ham currently sit in 16th position and with fixtures versus Jose Mourinho’s Spurs, Chelsea, Wolves and Arsenal around the corner there are no signs of things getting any easier. In order to turn things around, the entire team need to take a long hard look at themselves and improve.
Naturally, individuals who came in for large amounts of money will be criticised first, but the truth is the team as a whole are under-performing and the club’s issues aren’t down to one or two individuals.