Jack Wilshere knows a good player when he sees one, and he believes Felipe Anderson is up there with the very best.
The 26-year-old is approaching his comeback from an ankle injury and is hugely excited by the prospect of playing alongside the in-form Brazil winger.
Felipe Anderson has netted three goals in his last two Premier League appearances and the England midfielder says he is starting to show why the club spent a record fee to bring him to east London from Italian side Lazio.
Feliipe is a player who can do pretty much everything, he can beat his man and has that Brazilian flair, if you like
Jack Wilshere
“With Anderson, it was difficult for him at the start as he came from Italy and he’s a Brazilian boy and it’s hard in the Premier League week-in, week-out, as it doesn’t matter who you are playing against, you have to put your foot in and be ready for the fight,” said the No19.
“You can see he’s starting to come good now, he’s getting comfortable in the league and starting to show the skills and talent he has got, and he’s adding a few goals as well. I think there’s a lot more to come from him and I can’t wait to see it.
“Technically, he is up there with the top players. He’s a player who can do pretty much everything, he can beat his man and has that Brazilian flair, if you like, and he’s also got the vision to get his head up and make a pass and he’s starting to show that now.”
With Felipe Anderson leading the way, after losing their opening four games, the Hammers have lost just two of their last eight top-flight matches to rise out of the bottom three to 13th going into the November international break.
And Wilshere, who is hoping to return soon a couple of months out with an ankle problem, believes there is plenty more to come from, not just from the South American winger, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side as a whole.
“I'm just looking forward to getting back and helping the lads out. They've been fantastic since I've been out, they've picked up some vital points and they've made their way up the league and I just want to come back and help them.”
Childhood fan Wilshere is also desperate to get out and perform in front of his fellow Hammers at London Stadium again.
“You look at the stadium, playing in this week in week out, fill it up every week, the fans are brilliant.
“I think for any footballer that’s what you want, playing in big stadiums in front of passionate fans and that’s what you get here.”