Is Former Lazio Man Taty Castellanos the Answer to West Ham’s Woes?

West Ham have had a torrid first half to the Premier League season and find themselves facing the prospect of relegation for the first time since they dropped down at the end of the 2010-11 campaign.

It was crucial for the Irons to act in the January transfer market, and they swiftly moved for Lazio striker Taty Castellanos. The Argentine has the potential to fire West Ham to safety, but it could be seen as somewhat of a gamble.

West Ham Having a Woeful Season

West Ham are currently in the midst of one of their worst seasons on record in the Premier League. Indeed, with only 14 points from the first 21 games, they’re on track for a lower final points tally than the last time they were relegated. For people who place football bets, the odds on the Irons dropping down are 1/14 at the time of writing.

In the Premiership bet markets, only Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers have shorter odds for the drop than West Ham. Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are also considered to be in the relegation mix, but they opened up more than a seven-point lead over the relegation zone at the halfway point of the season, leaving the Hammers in a dire situation.

West Ham have already had a managerial change this season, with Graham Potter dismissed after only five games played. The Englishman lost four of those and ended his time at the club with 14 losses in 25 games. Nuno Espirito Santo was brought in to turn the Irons’ hopes around, but the Portuguese hasn’t had a positive effect on the team and is also at risk of being sacked from his position.

Argentine Striker Scored 29 Goals in Three Serie A Campaigns

January is the first chance that Nuno has had to bring in fresh faces, and he identified the need for a striker as a priority. He brought in Castellanos alongside another fresh face up front in a spending spree totalling £47 million.

These signings represent a significant gamble for Nuno, as neither has Premier League experience. Castellanos has been brought in to deliver goals, but he only managed to score 29 in his three seasons in Serie A. At Lazio, the 27-year-old’s record was far from prolific, and the step up to the English top flight can often be difficult for people switching from Italy.

Lazio Undergoing Transformation

It’s unlikely that Castellanos will be missed at Lazio, with 16 goals scored in 75 games for the club. Indeed, his sale to West Ham has allowed the Serie A side to bring in a fresh face up front already, along with a few other signings.

It appears as though Maurizio Sarri is actively reshaping his Lazio squad, as he aims to climb up the division in the second half of the season. As far as legendary strikers for the club go, Castellanos is unlikely to be mentioned among them.

Castellanos has moved to West Ham with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He’ll be instantly expected to make an impact, and if he can’t keep the Irons up, he may be viewed as a failure.