Pablo Felipe was never lacking in effort at West Ham United. Quality, however, was few and far between.
So when reports emerged this week suggesting that agent Jorge Mendes has offered Pablo to Lazio – ironically, five months after the Serie A outfit controversially sold Taty Csatellanos to the Hammers – the reaction from many supporters is one of ‘good luck and goodbye’.
According to Rome-based publication Il Messaggero, Mendes has ‘proposed’ the idea of the former Gil Vicente talisman pursuing a fresh start in the Italian capital.
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Of course, as with Soungoutou Magassa, there is a chance that Pablo could be a man revived after a full pre-season. West Ham United signed him after 10 goals in 13 Primeira Liga starts, after all. There is clearly a handy finisher in there somewhere.
The feeling among the majority, though, is that too much damage has been done to his reputation after 17 goalless appearances in English football. If West Ham can recoup much of that £20 million investment, raising funds for a more potent number nine, Pablo is free to leave.
West Ham United fans want Pablo Felipe sold amid Lazio links
“As long as we get more than we paid, it will be reasonable business. Works hard and is young but his touch and goal scoring have been poor,” one TalkingPoint user tells Hammers News.
“Great work rate but no end product. Some of his passes, especially to Taty, were top drawer, but his final touch in front of goal is abysmal,” another agrees. “As someone else mentioned, he’s responsible for us losing three or four games by missing sitters or passing when it was easier to score a goal.
“Shame because I like his efforts, but he’s got to go.”
Captain Jarrod Bowen was among those to praise Pablo following his January arrival. The Braga-born forward certainly made a positive first impression, bringing the energy and tenacity so lacking when Niclas Fullkrug was ambling around up top.
But with Pablo going on to join West Ham’s ‘no goal club’ – a club which counts Simone Zaza, Marco Borriello, Jordan Hugill, Marco Boogers, Mido, Benni McCarthy, Albian Ajeti, Marouanne Chamakh and Mladen Petric as members – his gangling gait and brick-footed touch will not be missed.
Pablo failed to score in 17 matches for the Hammers
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“Guy gave his all each game but he’s not blessed with much talent, certainly not a Premier League-quality player,” another fan writes. “But I wish him well.”
“Put in plenty of effort but sell on and buy a young hungry striker who’s going to score regularly next season.”
“Jorge Mendes is our best hope at clearing some of the deadwood.”
“Happy if he stays, he’s young and has potential. Happy if he goes and we recycle the cash.”
“Should’ve played [Callum] Wilson up top with Taty where Pablo was. He tried, no question but so would I have done. He’s brought nothing going forward bar missing the chances he did get.”
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