So it’s finally happened, West Ham United have captured another summer target after a few attempts at bringing some new faces to the Olympic Stadium.
And the man who has signed on the dotted line? Sofiane Feghouli, who has completed a three-year-move to the the east of London after signing from La Liga giants Valencia following the expiration of his contract.
Despite being a free agent, it was thought that many sides from all over Europe were interested in bringing Feghouli into their ranks, and it’s a real coup for Slaven Bilic’s side who now boast another player who has serious Champions League experience in their side. And ahead of their move into the Olympic Stadium, and with a Europa League adventure to look forward to, things are looking up for the Hammers.
But what will Feghouli bring to Bilic’s side, and can he make a difference to their league position?
First of all, the Algerian has fantastic domestic pedigree. Since signing for Valencia back in 2010, aside from a one-year-loan, he’s made over 30 appearances season-after-season for Los Che. Bar a couple of injuries, the winger has been an integral part of the squad under seven different managers who have taken the reigns at the Mestalla. This well and truly proves how important he has been, regardless of who has been at the helm at the time.
We see it so often in England that when managers change hands, favourites come and go and some of the best players are quickly replaced because they don’t fit the ‘new mentality or strategy’. To remain an integral part of the squad under seven different managers is extremely impressive and is a massive positive for West Ham to take forward.
Away from the club game, Feghouli is also a massive player on the international scene. Having switched allegiances from France to Algeria earlier in his career, Feghouli is considered one of the most important players in his homeland and alongside Premier League hot-shot Riyad Mahrez, the North African nation got some real quality down the flanks. There’s real hope that Algeria can become a force in African football and Feghouli is instrumental to that.
But what about next season? 30 goals in almost 200 club appearances serve Feghouli extremely strongly indeed, and Hammers fans will hope he can find some goalscoring form next season, and alongside Dimitri Payet, it’s almost difficult to suggest he wont.
Feghouli is the type of signing needed to keep players like Dimitri Payet at the club. For a man that was linked with the likes of Manchester United, it’s a real coup for the Hammers and their supporters will hope that he and the Frenchman can strike up a palpable relationship on the pitch next season.
It’s exciting times for the Hammers, and these types of signings only prove to show just how far they’ve come in a short space of time.
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