BRAZILIAN YOUNGSTER ANDERSON SET TO LEAD LAZIO

Brazil international Felipe Anderson is one of the top players in the world to have come out of Santos Academy.

The academy has produced football stars in various leagues in the world of recent. Barcelona’s Neymar, Robinho and Gabigol are examples. The 23-year old Anderson was in action at the recently concluded Rio Olympics, helping his country win their first ever gold medal in the men’s event.

Since joining Italian side Lazio, Anderson has struggled to make the developmental leap to the next level, but with the departure of Antonio Candreva and Miroslav Klose, he is set for stardom this term if he can live up to expectations. He joined Lazio in the summer of 2013 before Spanish and English clubs could sign him. He was supposed to be swapped for Italian calico but the deal couldn’t be completed.

Lazio knew he was talented, but they were at a loss on how to best use him under Stefano Pioli. He played in just 13 games in his first season, supplying just two assists. In his second year, he became more stable. He scored ten goals and has eight assists. The sophomore year turned out to be his breakthrough. He is one of the rising stars in world football.

After their third place finish before the 2015 season, they had dreams of appearing in the Champions League but they lost 3-1 on aggregate to Bayern Leverkusen in the play-offs. Last season, they performed poorly finishing in eight position. They lost out in the Round of 16 stage in the Europa League as well. Anderson could only get seven goals and five assists all season, yet still warding off interests in him. Acting coach Simone Inzaghi has made a few changes ahead of the new season. The player missed out on the five uncapped players’ list Brazilian national team coach Tite added to the senior team after their Olympic success. He is set to lead the Lazio squad as they continue in the Serie A.