Jack Sullivan took to Twitter yesterday to confirm Valencia forward Sofiane Feghouli had signed a three-year deal with West Ham.
Following the news, we caught up with Algerian football expert and West Ham fan Dean Ammi to discuss the Hammers’ new recruit. Here’s what he had to say:
How would you describe Sofiane Feghouli’s style of play?
Feghouli operates as a right winger and played on the right of a 4-3-3 system during his time at Valencia. He is very quick and likes to receive the ball early before making his runs down the wing, and also has the ability to cut inside and drift down the centre.
In his youth days, he was referred to as the ‘New Zidane’.
But nevertheless, he will fit in nicely on the right of a front three that operate whichever striker the manager opts to start. He replaced the gap left by Juan Mata when he left the club, and with big boots to fill he certainly delivered so the Premier League won’t faze him.
What are Feghouli’s main strengths?
Firstly he is fearless. Nothing fazes him, and the World Cup in Brazil was a good example. He had the nerve to take the penalty against Belgium, beating Thibaut Courtois from the spot who had just won La Liga with Atletico Madrid. He took a knock against Russia but continued to play on with a bandage strapped around him. Against eventual world champions Germany, Feghouli was not afraid to take on Jerome Boateng and Shkrodan Mustafi and caused them problems all evening.
He is very good on the ball as well with quick feet and good pace, as well as lots of skills in his locker which led to his 2014/15 award for best African in La Liga. Feghouli’s range of assists are brilliant. He can put crosses on a plate for you, whether that be in the air or on the ground. That curling right foot of his has shown time and time again that he knows where the back of the net is and when he does drift inside, he often hits the target and has done so at the top level, with two goals in this season’s Champions League. He works very hard as well and will be prepared to track back.
Does he have any considerable weaknesses?
His attitude is questionable at times. Gary Neville removed him from the Valencia first-team which ultimately led to the 26-year-old’s departure as he refused to sign a new deal in Spain. There have been occasions at international level where he thinks he’s bigger than the team itself as well, but in a way that breeds confidence.
His assists are fantastic as you don’t know when the next pass is coming but just a couple of times he may hang onto the ball for too long and just needs to get his head up that little bit earlier. But these are not serious issues and West Ham fans should be very excited by the arrival of the player.
Why do you believe he rejected the likes of Manchester United to come to West Ham?
Feghouli is not money-orientated and that same mentality is possessed by Slaven Bilic. Having grown up in the suburbs of Paris, he is humble and relishes a challenge just as his younger years had been. Fenerbahce came calling with big wages and he declined them, as well as big clubs like Manchester United but I don’t think he would have liked not being assured of regular first team football; Jose Mourinho does have his favourites after all.
