West Ham have been told their new striker is “great on his day” but lacks consistency – a worrying omen for their relegation battle.
The Hammers have completed a deal to sign Lazio’s Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos, just three days after the £20m arrival of Pablo Felipe.
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The 27-year-old, who scored two goals and provided three assists in 11 Serie A games this season, has won two caps for Argentina.
He has signed a four-and-a-half year contract at the London Stadium with the option of a further twelve months.
Under-fire head coach Nuno Espirito Santo identified Castellanos as “an important target” but West Ham have been warned about their new number 11.
Is Catellanos suitable for the Premier League?
When asked what kind of player the Irons will be getting, European football expert Andy Brassell gave a mixed assessment of the striker.
He told The Pitch Prospect’s Trans Europe Express podcast: “Buying a striker for €30m when you’re a Premier League club isn’t going to change their fortunes beyond recognition.”
“Look, if you want to forget that fact, just go on YouTube and watch the time he scored four goals against Real Madrid and then you’ll feel a lot better about everything.”
“Castellanos is great on his day. You could see how he worked in the Premier League.”
“He’s strong. He can hold the ball up. He disrupts defenders.”
“He makes life unpleasant, but he doesn’t do it consistently enough.”
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You don’t get the complete player for £25 million
“We’re not talking about a Lazio old team here,” Brassell told The Pitch Prospect.
“And the reality is this: if you buy a player for €30m or £25m, you’re not going to get a player who will completely change things for you.”
“They will get a player who can make a small contribution and maintain his performance.”
West Ham are stuck in the relegation zone after nine Premier League games without a win.
A 3-0 defeat at bottom-placed Wolves left the Hammers four points behind secure 18th place.
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West Ham are 18th in the Premier League, four points above the relegation zone, and Nuno is under increasing pressure.
Castellanos, who became the Portuguese’s second signing in January, said he would “give everything” for the club.
“Every game is a fight and I’m here to contribute, to try to bring that energy and that fighting spirit that I have in me to make every game as important and tough as possible,” he said.