Taty Castellanos has not exactly had a prolific start to his West Ham United career, but there is a lot more to the new signing than goals.
While the jury is still out on the £27 million addition from Lazio – Hammers News readers in particular want to see more end product from a striker with only two goals from nine appearances – the presence, pace and work-rate he brings to the frontline should not be underestimated.
Speaking as West Ham United prepare to face Liverpool this weekend, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo put an improved defensive record down to his strikers as much his centre-halves.
Can you work out the THREE missing players from our last win at Anfield? 🔴 🕊️
A clue: our striker scored in stoppage time!
Axel Disasi and Mads Hermansen have played major roles for a side looking to secure a fourth clean sheet in five games across all competitions.
But with Taty Castellanos now leading the line instead of a lumbering Niclas Fullkrug or an ageing Callum Wilson, the Hammers now have the ability to press high and force mistakes, thus making it far more difficult for opposition teams to cut through the centre of the pitch.
Nuno Espirito Santo highlights Taty Castellanos role in West Ham United’s defensive improvement
Nuno was speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday lunchtime. Beat an inconsistent Liverpool tomorrow, and this would be West Ham’s first Anfield victory since Slaven Bilic masterminded a 3-0 win over Brendan Rodgers in 2015.
“Our defensive organisation comes from the whole team, not only the backline,” Nuno said, highlighting the impact of Castellanos from a defensive standpoint.
“It comes from our strikers, with the way we organise and intend to press.
“I think we’re growing in that aspect of the game, which improves our defensive organisation, and I think the players have been getting to know each other better, realising that it’s a team effort to achieve a clean sheet in the Premier League.”
Castellanos is hoping Pablo Felipe is back from injury soon
Pablo Felipe is making progress as he looks to return from a calf injury. Like his fellow January signing, the £18 million addition from Gil Vicente has also impressed his new supporters with a relentless work ethic and a notable selfless streak.
Castellanos cannot wait to have Pablo by his side again, hopefully within the next few weeks.
“I am a very different player compared to the ‘penalty-box striker’ of the past,” Castellanos said on Agusneta and Teo D’elia’s YouTube channel. “I’m [suited to] modern football. Maybe you move to find the ball. The enganche [traditional number ten] doesn’t really exist anymore.
How badly have we missed Pablo Felipe? 👀
Nuno wants him back ASAP 👇
“I like it more with a two number nines. I feel more comfortable.
“Inter Milan plays [with two strikers]. We vary it from time to time [at West Ham]. In the first few games, we played with another nine too, with the kid Pablo who just arrived.
“And well, he got hurt. Now, I’m playing alone.
“My second year with Lazio, I had a blast because we played with two strikers and a playmaker behind with Pedro. I played a lot with Pedro or Dia and, honestly, we got tired of scoring goals and playing well! We finished first in the Europa League [group] and everything!”
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