The stats do not really do Taty Castellanos’ impact at West Ham United justice, with only one goal to show from his six Premier League matches ahead of Saturday’s late kick-off against AFC Bournemouth.
One goal in six, and two in eight across all competitions, looks a little underwhelming when we are talking about a centre-forward who cost £27 million.
Then again, West Ham United bought Taty Castellanos for more than his goal threat. He scored only twice in the entire first half of the campaign at Lazio anyway, so it’s not as if the Hammers were hoodwinked into thinking they were signing a frontman capable of going head-to-head with Erling Haaland.
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Nuno Espirito Santo thinks West Ham are ‘lucky’ to have him. It is telling that, before he mentioned ‘goals’, Nuno hailed Castellanos’ ‘energy’ and ‘hard work’. That relentless high press ensures Castellanos already has a bespoke chant to call his own; a cult hero in the making.
Although, in a weekend in which West Ham could leapfrog Nottingham Forest and move to within two points of Tottenham Hotspur in 16th, another goal wouldn’t go amiss.
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Taty Castellanos is loving the ‘challenge’ at West Ham United
Speaking to West Ham’s official website ahead of the visit of Bournemouth – Cherries boss Andoni Iraola remembers Castellanos well from their meetings in La Liga by the way – the former Girona forward spoke warmly about the faith shown in him by the supporters and the atmosphere inside a fired-up dressing room.
“I feel very comfortable here with the fans, and there is a very particular feeling together. We have to continue on this road together in order to move forward together,” Castellanos says.
“I came here with a challenge, which was to give energy to the club, what it needed, and what the coach and the club asked of me.
“I like a challenge, and that’s why I decided to come [here]. Of course, if we had been in another way or in another position, I think it would have been better or more relaxed! But, in the end, I like it.
“I like it because you work harder and you are much more focused. You have that challenge to be as high as possible day after day.”
“I’m a big believer in a person learning something new every day, and you try and learn from each experience in each club that you’re at. I’ve got a huge ambition as a player, and that’s no different here at West Ham.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always brought a positive attitude and fighting spirit, and I think that’s why I’ve resonated so well with fans.”
Where can Taty Castellanos IMPROVE?
And what have you made of his impact so far?
Castellanos parrots Axel Disasi when discussing Hammers talent
Another mid-season addition, Axel Disasi appeared taken aback by the ‘talent’ at West Ham’s disposal, singling out the prancing Mateus Fernandes and the prolific Crysencio Summerville. Castellanos appears to be on the same page.
“The quality inside the dressing room is unbelievable,” says the Argentine international. “They give me confidence to score goals or contribute more to the team.
“I think there’s a real family atmosphere here. There’s a real spirit in the dressing room, and I think when you feel the love coming from the stands and from within the club, the staff and the people you meet every day, I think you can reflect that in your performances out on the pitch.
“I think we’re starting to see that attitude now being reflected in results and performances on the pitch.
“We’ve got a group of players, as I say, that have got huge quality. With the fans behind us, I think we can continue going in the same way.”
In the pre-match build up, we at Hammers News asked our TalkingPoint users to tell us what they had made of Castellanos’ first month in claret and blue. The overarching feeling appears to be that the rather middling stats and a shortage of goals tells a bit of a false narrative.
“Sounds odd, but, I think he’s done better than [the numbers suggest],” one fan wrote on our Facebook page. “His movement creates the spaces that result in the goals for the others.
“Guy is a player,” another says. “Give him a chance!
“Work-rate is exceptional. More consistent end product and he’s there
“Decent start, looks promising and is an upgrade.”
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