Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe bring plenty of attacking ‘talent’ to West Ham United but, as Nuno Espirito Santo explained before the FA Cup third-round clash with Queens Park Rangers, the new forwards bring more than just ability.
Castellanos himself talked up the ‘incredible’ energy he has coursing through his veins.
Hassling and haring down the Nottingham Forest backline on his Hammers debut, the fans are sure to ‘love’ Castellanos if more for his relentless work ethic than anything else.
Nuno was happy enough with Pablo’s start to life in the Premier League as well. The £18 million signing from Gil Vicente looked a little sluggish at times having arrived with a bit of a knock, but he did create one of West Ham United’s best chances with a lovely through ball for Kyle Walker-Peters.
Imagine you are Nuno – How are YOU approaching the FA Cup? 🏆
Rest players for the league? Or go all-out for cup glory?
At home to a QPR side who have the second-worst defensive record in the Championship, Sunday’s FA Cup opener should present a good opportunity for Castellanos or Pablo to get off the mark.
Nuno hails the impact of West Ham United newbies Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe
Whatever happens this weekend, Nuno feels that West Ham will benefit from the ‘fighting’ spirit demonstrated by their new-look frontline.
“What we have to make sure is that the players who join us come with a purpose,” Nuno said during his press conference on Friday lunchtime.
“They need to come to help, like we saw with Taty and Pablo. Talent, and more than anything, really fighting and trying to help the team.
“This is the main objective; for the players to be motivated and committed to join us.”
Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri wanted to keep Castellanos at the Stadio Olimpico. The former Chelsea, Napoli and Juventus tactician would accept defeat, though, once the Argentine international made it clear he wanted a fresh challenge in England.
And although West Ham feels like a rather precarious destination right now given their place in the table, Pablo Felipe was never going to let such an opportunity pass him by. He was playing in the Portuguese second tier with Vitoria Guimaraes as recently as 2024, after all.
Mads Hermansen and James Ward-Prowse could be sold
Nuno is planning for further additions, with goalkeepers, centre-halves, wingers and even the odd left-back on the agenda.
Charlie Cresswell remains a priority target at centre-half, although reports emerged on Friday from The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath that Brentford veteran Ethan Pinnock is one to watch.
West Ham approached Al-Nassr and Brazil goalkeeper Bento, too, after Alphonse Areola gave away a late penalty in the heartbreaking home defeat by Nottingham Forest in midweek.
Nuno admits these four could all be leaving West Ham…
How do you feel about what could be a BIG January overhaul?
“We are trying as a club to bring in players,” Nuno adds. “We need to rebalance our squad, it’s clear. We need to bring players who can make us stronger.
“That is the main objective that we have; To bring players who can help us because we are here to fight. It’s not thinking about the future; it’s about who can join us and help us now.”
In the same press conference, Nuno indicated that Mads Hermansen could leave West Ham after only four appearances in four months. The £18 million signing from Leicester City has not featured even once since Graham Potter got the boot in September.
James Ward-Prowse is also available for transfer, while Callum Wilson could see his contract terminated. Hammers News understands that George Earthy, who won Bristol City’s Young Player of the Year award last season, is returning for a second loan spell at Ashton Gate.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
