Allardyce planning slow introduction for ‘raw talent’ Wellington

By Nick Wright Saturday, January 19, 2013
10:30 AM

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says Brazilian striker Wellington Paulista will need time to settle at Upton Park.

The 28-year-old Cruzeiro frontman signed an initial six-month loan deal with West Ham last week and will provide competition for Andy Carroll, Carlton Cole and Arsenal loanee Marouane Chamakh up front.

Allardyce is confident Wellington has the talent to succeed in the Premier League but admits a lot will depend on whether he can adapt to English football.

“We’re not quite sure whether he’ll be able to go straight in,” said Allardyce, whose West Ham side face bottom-of-the-table QPR on Saturday.

“He’s a talented forward from South America and we hope he will be successful.

“We haven’t had a lot of time to see him yet because of the travelling and games.

“We’ve seen the usual raw talent of a South American player.

“The interesting part is whether or not he can integrate into the way the game is played in England and produce that skill.”

The Hammers boss will not rush Wellington into action and admits he cannot say for sure when the Brazilian will be ready to make his bow.

“There will be an introduction at some stage and I think starting off the bench somewhere along the line in the near future,” said Allardyce.

“Who knows how long he will take to be ready - I could toss a coin on that one.

“Some can come straight in and do it, some never do it at all, and some do it a bit later on.”