Summer Transfer Spotlight: Sofiane Feghouli (West Ham)

BY EWAH CHIKA

" I had many offers in different top European leagues, and In some exotic countries, but the chance to sign for West Ham emerged. 

"One must play in the Premier League in his career. In terms of experience, it cannot be questioned and it's the most competitive league," were the words of West Ham new signing Sofiane Feghouli who joined from Valencia on a free transfer. 

Though Slaven Bilic's West Ham exceeded expectation and finished a high 6th , beating power houses like Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City in a fairytale season, the club has not hesitated to sign the Algerian who can play in any attacking or forward position . West Ham are prepared to perform better than last season as they pack into their new 60,000 Olympic Stadium next season. In Feghouli , Bilic has signed a player whose stat is not a true reflection of his value . The Algerian is in his prime (27) and has the attacking flair needed to succeed in East London .  The player possess a top class ball distribution sense, trades key passes, good in aerial duels and can contribute defensive . While other Premier League clubs  are over paying for players in the already inflated transfer market, Feghouli has been signed for little or nothing and thumps-up must go to both Bilic and the West Ham board for convincing him to join the East London club's project this summer. 

The Algerian plays predominantly as a winger in a traditional 4-4-2 formation  or as a right forward in a 4-3-3 formation or even slightly behind the main striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation  which unfortunately he might not play as it's the ideal position of fan's favourite Dmitri Payet. Last season, Feghouli scored one goal, providing one assist and creating 26 chances in 21 Spanish La Liga games. However he fared better in European competitions scoring two goals in five Champions League games and also one goal and one assist in three Europa League games. In total, Feghouli scored 20 goals in 144 La Liga games for Valencia in his six years at the club after signing from Grenoble in France as an understudy to veteran Vincente and Juan Mata who was sold two years later to Chelsea for £23 million . While his club stat isn't that impressive, his national team stat is far better (11 goals in 40 games) as he is given more freedom and a free role in the national team as the chief creator.

Therefore With Victor Moses having already returned to parent club Chelsea at the end of his season long loan, Feghouli is an upgrade on the likes of Enner Valencia who played on the wings for Bilic last season.