Algeria winger Sofian Feghouli has signed for West Ham United on a free transfer from Valencia. The 26-year-old player signed a three year deal with the club and will join them officially from July 1st. Having already made 40 appearances for the country, the Algerian will move to the London after spending 6 seasons with the Spanish outfit.
West Ham will be moving into the Olympic Stadium next season and Feghouli is said to be impressed with the future plans of Slaven Bilic. The Paris-born midfielder has been a regular for Valencia since joining them in 2010, scoring 42 goals in a total 243 appearances. With his peak years still to come, Feghouli has joined the Bilic revolution at a perfect time. He has the right amount of experience to contribute significantly to the team for many years to come.
It will be interesting to see how Bilic uses him, ideally he will be suited on the wings where his energy and pace will provide opposition with a massive threat. Although he didn’t start off his tenure with Valenica particularly well but soon won over the fans with his dazzling skills and direct attacking approach. Having played as a winger on the right in Spain, he has also appeared on the left or centrally on some occasions during the last 5 years.
With great upper body strength, Feghouli is apt at holding on to the ball and bringing other players into the game. He will be expected to cement his place in the midfield trio alongside Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini. In such a situation he will rival Michail Antonio for his starting place but given the fixture congestion West Ham are going to face next season, both the players should expect plenty of playing time.
Sofiane also has created more chances from open play (148) than any other player for Valencia in the last five La Liga seasons. Oppositions are going to have a tough time dealing with the pace and tricky of Payet and Feghouli together running at them, they will be essential in games against bigger teams where the focus will be on sitting deep, remaining solid and hitting the opponents on the counter attack.
West Ham have been linked with countless strikers already this summer, but a deal for Alexandre Lacazette is looking most likely right now. With him upfront with the likes of Payet and Feghouli supplying the balls from the back, the opposition is going to have a tough keeping the Hammers quite next season.
One thing is very clear, that Slaven Bilic has again managed to steal a very talented player for free. Although Feghouli might have come as a free transfer there is no that he has the potential and talent to contribute greatly to the West Ham cause next season. If he manages to settle in quickly, he could easily follow in the footsteps of Payet as the Bargain of the season. It’s exciting times ahead for the new occupants of the Olympic stadium, who will be giving their all come August to secure the coveted Champions League spot.