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Xande Silva: scout report thread. With Haller injured and Antonio not accustomed to the role, why is Moyes not giving the bright forward his chance? This thread analyses his potential and why he can give West Ham a different dimension 
Xande Silva: scout report thread. With Haller injured and Antonio not accustomed to the role, why is Moyes not giving the bright forward his chance? This thread analyses his potential and why he can give West Ham a different dimension
Profile: West Ham signed the 23-year-old from VitĂłria de Guimaraes in August 2018. He scored a four-minute hat-trick on his PL 2 debut against Tottenham Hotspur.
His impressive form led to a first-team debut in December 2018, featuring in West Ham's 2-0 defeat to Burnley
His impressive form led to a first-team debut in December 2018, featuring in West Ham's 2-0 defeat to Burnley
Strengths:
1. Versatility
2. Movement
3. Composure
4. Acceleration
1. Versatility
2. Movement
3. Composure
4. Acceleration
1. Versatility
Silva can play anywhere across the front three, something West Ham have lacked this season. His performance against Birmingham in the FA Cup outlined the 23-year-old's excitement.
- Shows wide
- Birmingham = narrow defensive shape
- 1v1 situation
Silva can play anywhere across the front three, something West Ham have lacked this season. His performance against Birmingham in the FA Cup outlined the 23-year-old's excitement.
- Shows wide
- Birmingham = narrow defensive shape
- 1v1 situation
A refreshing sentence for you: he takes people on. West Ham lack players who want to take people on and beat them, which is what Silva does here. His willingness to use both feet makes him difficult to play against.
- Silva feints to shoot
- comes back the other way onto his left
- Silva feints to shoot
- comes back the other way onto his left
2. Movement
Silva's goals in the academy are mainly from being in the right positions. He is very difficult to handle with his constant movement and ability to read the bigger picture.
- The forward hangs back to time his run
- Comes in from defender's blind spot
Silva's goals in the academy are mainly from being in the right positions. He is very difficult to handle with his constant movement and ability to read the bigger picture.
- The forward hangs back to time his run
- Comes in from defender's blind spot
Silva's anticipation here is very clever:
- West Ham win the ball high up the pitch
- Silva hangs behind his marker but remains onside
- His positioning puts him at an advantage to connect with the cross
- West Ham win the ball high up the pitch
- Silva hangs behind his marker but remains onside
- His positioning puts him at an advantage to connect with the cross
Another example.
- Diangana cuts inside, dragging two players with him
- Silva anticipates and runs wide to present a passing option
- Diangana cuts inside, dragging two players with him
- Silva anticipates and runs wide to present a passing option
3. Composure
West Ham have lacked a composed forward since Dean Ashton retired. Silva has composure and the ability to finish in a variety of ways.
- Comes deep to present an option with defenders maintaining their shape
- Takes a touch before curling it into the bottom corner
West Ham have lacked a composed forward since Dean Ashton retired. Silva has composure and the ability to finish in a variety of ways.
- Comes deep to present an option with defenders maintaining their shape
- Takes a touch before curling it into the bottom corner
As aforementioned, his clever movement and anticipation allows him to pick up space in the box. This is a difficult finish
- Times his jump perfectly
- GK is still on the move
- Silva directs his header back the other way
- Times his jump perfectly
- GK is still on the move
- Silva directs his header back the other way
Most players would panic in this situation, but Silva spots Diangana unmarked in the box.
- Brighton operate with a high defensive line
- West Ham players come short to present an option
Silva could've easily wasted this and lashed it across the box, but instead picks out Grady
- Brighton operate with a high defensive line
- West Ham players come short to present an option
Silva could've easily wasted this and lashed it across the box, but instead picks out Grady
4. Acceleration
Another asset West Ham have (always) lacked going forward is pace. The forward's acceleration allows him to beat defenders, either with the ball or without.
- Receives the ball in a tight area
- Grady's movement creates space
- Uses pace to exploit the space
Another asset West Ham have (always) lacked going forward is pace. The forward's acceleration allows him to beat defenders, either with the ball or without.
- Receives the ball in a tight area
- Grady's movement creates space
- Uses pace to exploit the space
West Ham counter-attack
- Silva times his run behind the last defender
- Defender steps in attempt to play him offside
- Silva times his run behind the last defender
- Defender steps in attempt to play him offside
- Silva times his run
- Presents a simple passing option for Holland, who is being closed down
- Goal.
Once again, Silva's anticipation comes into play here. His pace allows him to beat his man and exploit the space in-behind, before finishing past the goalkeeper
- Presents a simple passing option for Holland, who is being closed down
- Goal.
Once again, Silva's anticipation comes into play here. His pace allows him to beat his man and exploit the space in-behind, before finishing past the goalkeeper
Summary:
- If Haller is 50/50 for Chelsea, Moyes must look at Silva.
- Ajeti out of favour
- Antonio is not as effective as a ST
- Silva could provide different variability.
- He has ability to come on and change a game.
- Ability to play at a higher level.
Now is his chance.
- If Haller is 50/50 for Chelsea, Moyes must look at Silva.
- Ajeti out of favour
- Antonio is not as effective as a ST
- Silva could provide different variability.
- He has ability to come on and change a game.
- Ability to play at a higher level.
Now is his chance.
RT's appreciated as always.
