West Ham United attacker Felipe Anderson posted an update on his injury status on Instagram, and the news will boost the Hammers ahead of their clash against Chelsea.
Anderson missed the clash against Everton, a game where the Hammers looked under par and meekly surrendered to the Toffees who looked like a team with a bit of fire in their belly in the first half.
The defeat against Everton was a big blow for Manuel Pellegrini’s side as it left them five points adrift of Wolves, who seem like the best of the rest in the Premier League.
Anderson had played every game for the Hammers until the clash against Marco Silva’s side, and his potential return, judging by his post on the Social Media will reinvigorate West Ham against a Chelsea side who are there for the taking.
Anderson’s impact will help West Ham psychologically and on the pitch
The fans were waiting for West Ham to put their right foot forward in the second half against Everton, but it didn’t happen. Momentum is a key aspect in football, and the hosts just didn’t have it to trouble Everton.
Though Everton were not as dominant in the second half as they were in the first 45 minutes, they didn’t have to do much and were untroubled. That’s where the Hammers missed someone like Anderson.
A key reason why the Hammers have been able to bounce back despite conceding goals in recent games is because of their attacking flair, something that was missing against Everton.
Anderson playing on the left has added the spark for the east London outfit, and his dribbling proficiency has at times created chances out of nothing for the side.
The Brazilian averages at least two dribbles per game on an average in the Premier League, and against a Chelsea team that look one-dimensional and dodgy off the ball, Anderson’s ability to run at the defence will be crucial come Monday.
Pellegrini’s side held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at the London stadium in September, and had chances to win it, so they won’t shy away from the game this time.
They also need to make a statement as their away form has been horrific, and Anderson needs to have a big game if he returns from his injury to play.