Nuno Espírito Santo had a plan. Fans have wondered why the West Ham manager couldn't just let Lucas Paqueta go and its because he had a vision of what his offense would look like with all his forwards and attacking midfielders available. It has to be said the arrivals of Argentine striker Valentín "Taty" Castellanos from Lazio and Portuguese forward Pablo Felipe from Gil Vicente haven't necessarily meant goal scoring from either player, but their inclusion in the lineup has freed up Jarrod Bowen, Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville. Nuno felt if he could just get a fully in form Paqueta into the lineup with everyone else there was no telling what would happen if he couljd unlock his star player. From what it sounds like this will never happen, but its already worked for everyone else.
These additions addressed a chronic lack of central attacking options that had forced Nuno into tactical compromises earlier in the season. The impact has been immediate and transformative, particularly for those mentioned. In just a few games with both Pablo and Taty in the lineup its clear Bowen, Summerville and Fernandes now enjoy greater freedom and effectiveness in their preferred roles.
Jarrod Bowen: Back to His Lethal Best on the Wing
Bowen's best seasons at West Ham were while Michail Antonio manned the frontline. He wasn't the most gifted striker, but he occupied enough space leaving Bowen room to work. Antonio's non-stop motor and work ethic would exhaust a defense and late in games whether the Hammers were in the lead or coming from behind the combination was difficult to deal with.
For much of the 2025/26 campaign, Jarrod Bowen – West Ham's talisman and captain – was deployed as a makeshift centre-forward due to injuries and a lack of dedicated strikers. This role, while showcasing his versatility, often pulled him away from the right flank where he has historically been most dangerous, cutting inside to score and create. Even when exclusively on the flank Bown seemed to be running through quick sand this season. Without a true number 9 consistantly in the starting 11, Nuno would often play Paqueta up front with he and Bowen switching. It allowed defenses to plan to put their focus on Bowen, with defenses often suffocating him.
The arrivals of Taty and Pablo have allowed Bowen to return permanently to the right wing. As Bowen himself noted, "Taty and Pablo have settled in really well," highlighting their quick integration and positive influence. With genuine No. 9s holding the line centrally, Bowen faces less defensive attention and has more space to exploit. Recent performances reflect this liberation: in a dominant display against Sunderland, Bowen scored as part of a fluid front line that also featured goals from Summerville and Fernandes. Analysts have pointed out how Pablo Felipe's physical presence in particular could "unlock" Bowen's goalscoring instincts by drawing markers away.
Crysencio Summerville: Thriving with Reduced Marking Pressure
Earlier this season, GSH wrote that Summerville's goal drought and offensive contributions had become a concern. West Ham's big-money summer 2024 signing from Leeds United, arrived with high expectations as a dynamic left winger capable of dribbling past defenders and delivering cutting edge. However, in a striker-light setup, opponents often doubled up on him, limiting his influence and forcing him into deeper or more central positions.
The new strikers have changed that dynamic. Castellanos brings "consistent high-impact involvement" in attacks, while Pablo's movement occupies centre-backs, creating pockets of space on the flanks. Summerville has responded brilliantly, scoring in recent wins and forming part of a "dazzling attacking display" that has revitalized the Hammers' forward play. With Taty and Pablo leading the press and holding up play, Summerville now receives the ball in more advanced areas, allowing his pace and trickery to shine without constant double-teams. His runs get deeper into the box and frees him up away from the ball.
Mateus Fernandes: Creative Freedom from Midfield
Perhaps the most intriguing beneficiary is young Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes, the 21-year-old central midfielder who has emerged as a key creative force for West Ham. Known for his vision, passing range, and increasingly his long-range shooting, Fernandes was often required to be more conservative earlier in the season to compensate for a lack of attacking threat up top. Coming into the season Fernandes was brought in to play a more defensive center midfield role. What we've seen over the last month was meant for Paqueta, but Fernandes has had to step in and his response has been awe-inspiring.
With Taty and Pablo providing focal points, Fernandes has been unleashed further forward. This was epitomized in the Sunderland match, where his "wonder-strike" from distance capped a 3-1 victory, alongside goals from Summerville and Bowen. Post-match reactions from Nuno, Fernandes, and Bowen underlined the team's improved cohesion. Fernandes himself credited teammates for encouraging him to "shoot more," a luxury afforded by the security of reliable strikers ahead of him.
Fernandes has also benefited from the trust in him. He's shown to be better with the ball at this feet and in order for him to do that he needs more space and time with it. Yet another luxury the new attacking system has been able to afford him.
A Balanced Attack Reviving West Ham's Season
The signings of Taty Castellanos – who marked his debut spell with a goal in the FA Cup – and Pablo Felipe have done more than add goals; they've restored balance to West Ham's attack. No longer reliant on Bowen as a false nine or forcing wingers and midfielders into overloaded roles, the Hammers now boast a versatile front line capable of stretching defenses in multiple ways.
As West Ham continue to fight and climb away from relegation danger, these January additions look set to be the catalyst for a strong second half of the season. Bowen, Summerville, and Fernandes are freer, more expressive, and decidedly more dangerous – a testament to how targeted recruitment can unlock a squad's full potential. Of course we'd all love to see a goal or two from both of them.