New centre-forwards have been the talk of the town at West Ham United over the last week, with Taty Castellanos getting off to a flying start with an extra time winner against QPR in the FA Cup.
It has been quite a while since the Hammers had an Argentine number nine leading the charge during the second half of a difficult campaign.
Castellanos is embracing those Carlos Tevez comparisons, though, and West Ham United’s £26 million January addition provided an immediate return on the club’s investment as he bulleted a Crycensio Summerville cross into the Queens Park Rangers net on Sunday afternoon.
Describe Taty Castellanos in ONE word! 🇦🇷
And what would your West Ham frontline be now if you were picking the team?
The Argentina international brings more than a ruthless streak in front of goal. The West Ham fans ‘will love’ Castellanos’ fierce work ethic. When was the last time the Londoners had a striker capable of pressing from the front, darting in behind opposition defenders, and putting the squeeze on opposition centre-backs?
That would also be a pretty apt description of Callum Marshall, funnily enough. The Hammers kid joined German second-tier outfit VFL Bochum on loan earlier this month. And, while a headline-making moment of his own is yet to arrive with his new club still on their winter break, Marshall has made an ‘exceptional’ first impression on Bochum coach Uwe Rosler.
Bochum boss Uwe Rosler hails West Ham United loanee Callum Marshall
Speaking to BILD, Manchester City icon Rosler highlighted the energy and intensity Marshall will bring to the Bochum attack.
“He did exactly what we expected of him. In his first pressing situation, he immediately blocked the ball,” ex-Leeds and Brentford coach Rosler says, hoping that Marshall’s infectious influence will rub off on the rest of his side.
“That creates a positive atmosphere in the team.”
Some West Ham fans even likened Marshall to Leicester icon Jamie Vardy after watching the Northern Ireland international in action during the summer’s pre-season tour.
“He can play as a number nine but also as part of a two-striker formation or on the wing,” Rosler also told WAZ last week, again highlighting the physical qualities Marshall brings to a Bochum side seven points adrift of the play-off places. “He’s very strong in pressing, which will help us.”
“He established himself at Huddersfield in League One. The top of the English third division is comparable to the second division in Germany.
“He’s a different type of player than [our existing forwards]. With Callum Marshall, we have more flexibility in attack. The first impression is very good.”
Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville laud Taty Castellanos
Sum up this man’s performance against QPR in three words 👇
Talking of good first impressions, both Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville were delighted to see Castellanos get off the mark on what was only his second appearance for the club.
The two West Ham wingers at least now have something to aim for in the penalty area. Gone are the days of Niclas Fullkrug being bullied by centre-halves who barely reach his shoulders.
“[Beating QPR] was really important. When you are in a situation like we are, all you need is a performance and a result to turn the season on its head,” captain Bowen told TNT Sport after Castellanos’ winner eight minutes into extra time set up a fourth round clash with Burton Albion.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy with a lot of pressure on us, but it speaks a lot about the squad that we stuck in there and got the rewards.
“[Castellanos] comes with a lot of experience. A really, really good player and a really good person. I’m really happy he got his first goal so quickly, it’s really important for his confidence. I’m really happy with him because we will need him to score more goals as well.
“It’s about characters. It’s about people stepping up. ‘Cry’ today was brilliant.
“We need threats from every single person, players coming off the bench as well. We know we have a really good group here, but we need to turn it around.”
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