Bowen: Taty and Pablo Settled Well at West Ham

Key Points

• Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United captain, expresses confidence in January signings Taty Castellanos and Pablo to aid the club’s Premier League relegation battle, drawing parallels to his own impact six years ago alongside Tomáš Souček.
• Bowen and Souček joined in January 2020 from Hull City and Slavia Prague respectively, when West Ham sat 17th; they contributed significantly to survival via key wins over Southampton, Chelsea, Norwich City, and Watford, plus draws at Newcastle United and Manchester United.
• Current situation is more precarious than in 2020, yet Bowen notes Taty (Argentina international from Lazio) and Pablo (Brazilian from Gil Vicente) have settled well despite January transfer challenges.
• Taty scored his first West Ham goal against QPR in the FA Cup, boosting his confidence; Pablo has impressed in training and on the pitch.
• Bowen highlights the club’s bold statement in signing two strikers mid-season.
• Upcoming Premier League derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday offers Taty and Pablo their first taste of the fixture; Bowen, with 12 prior appearances including a goal in a 2-1 win in December 2023 and starting in a 3-3 draw in October, urges fans to maintain support.
• Recent FA Cup win over QPR (after 120 minutes) lifted spirits; Bowen credits fan atmosphere and stresses players must deliver moments to celebrate.
• One positive result can shift camp mood ahead of the derby, needing no extra motivation.

London (West Ham United Official Site) January 17, 2026 – West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen has voiced strong support for new signings Taty Castellanos and Pablo, asserting they have integrated seamlessly and could prove pivotal in averting Premier League relegation, much like he and Tomáš Souček did six years prior. With the Hammers in a dire position, Bowen’s endorsement underscores the potential impact of the duo amid mounting pressure. The club faces Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial derby this Saturday.

Who Are Taty Castellanos and Pablo, and How Did They Join West Ham?

Taty Castellanos, an Argentina international striker, arrived from Italian club Lazio in the January transfer window, bringing his goal-scoring pedigree to the London Stadium. Pablo, a Brazilian forward, transferred from Portuguese side Gil Vicente, adding further attacking depth to West Ham’s squad. As observed by Jarrod Bowen in comments reported directly from the club’s official channels, “They’ve settled in really well,” highlighting their rapid adaptation despite the rigours of mid-season arrivals.

Bowen, reflecting on his own January 2020 move from Hull City when West Ham languished in 17th, acknowledged the inherent difficulties:

“I know how difficult it is to come in in January. I joined in January halfway into a season and I think we were 17th in the league when I arrived, so obviously to come into the situation that they’re coming into is difficult.”

Yet, he praised their progress, noting Taty’s debut goal against QPR in the FA Cup as a landmark moment:

“Taty got his goal against QPR [in the FA Cup] the other day, so for him to get his first goal for the Club is really big for him.”

For Pablo, Bowen added,

“Pablo as well, he’s come in and, again, he’s looked really good in training. He’s had his moments on the pitch as well and he’s done well as well.”

The acquisition of two strikers mid-window represents, in Bowen’s words, “a big statement from the Club,” signalling West Ham’s intent to bolster their survival bid aggressively.

What Parallels Does Bowen Draw with His Own Arrival in 2020?

Jarrod Bowen’s backing of the new forwards is rooted in personal experience from January 2020, when he and Tomáš Souček arrived amid similar peril. Signed from Hull City and Slavia Prague respectively, the pair played decisive roles as West Ham climbed to safety. Key results included victories over Southampton, Chelsea, Norwich City, and Watford, alongside draws at Newcastle United and Manchester United, staving off the drop.

Six years later, the stakes feel higher, with West Ham’s position described by Bowen as “even more precarious.” Nonetheless, the captain remains optimistic, positioning Taty and Pablo as potential catalysts for a repeat escape. As reported in the club’s official coverage, Bowen’s narrative bridges past triumphs with present hopes, emphasising resilience in January recruits.

How Has Taty Performed Since Arriving, and What About Pablo?

Taty Castellanos marked his West Ham tenure with a goal against QPR in the FA Cup, a feat Bowen hailed as “really big for him.” This strike, coming soon after his move from Lazio, demonstrates immediate adaptation under pressure. Pablo, meanwhile, has shone in training sessions and earned minutes on the pitch, with Bowen affirming, “he’s looked really good in training. He’s had his moments on the pitch as well and he’s done well as well.”

These early impressions come at a critical juncture, with both players poised for their Premier League debuts in the upcoming derby. Bowen’s observations, drawn from close quarters, paint a picture of two forwards ready to contribute despite the challenges of mid-season integration.

What Challenges Do January Signings Face at West Ham?

Bowen candidly addressed the hurdles of January transfers, speaking from his 2020 experience:

“I know how difficult it is to come in in January… halfway into a season.”

Arriving into a relegation scrap amplifies the pressure, yet he commended Taty and Pablo’s handling of it: “But they’ve settled really well.” The club’s decision to invest in dual strikers underscores a strategic push, termed by Bowen as “a big statement from the Club.”

This context resonates amid West Ham’s current plight, where every addition must hit the ground running to influence the table.

Why Is the Tottenham Derby Crucial for West Ham’s Survival Bid?

Taty and Pablo will encounter their first Premier League derby on Saturday, travelling to Tottenham Hotspur. Bowen, with extensive rivalry experience—facing Spurs a dozen times, including scoring in a 2-1 victory in north London in December 2023 and starting in the thrilling 3-3 come-from-behind draw there in October—views it as a defining test. With West Ham desperate for points, the fixture carries heightened urgency.

Bowen implored the fanbase:

“Just stick with us like you have been. You’ve been home and away. Of course, you’re frustrated with the team because the performances haven’t been good and the results haven’t been good enough, but you always turn up home and away.”

He stressed mutual responsibility:

“So, I think that’s one thing – just keep sticking with us, keep supporting us like you are and then it’s down to us. We have to give you those moments on the pitch for you to celebrate.”

How Did the Recent FA Cup Win Boost West Ham’s Momentum?

The Hammers’ recent FA Cup triumph over QPR, extending to 120 minutes, provided a vital spark. Bowen recounted:

“We’ve just come off the back of an FA Cup win, which went 120 minutes, which was probably a real big pressure game because playing against a Championship side, you’re expected to win. We went one-nil up, then they scored. Then it’s 90 minutes and it’s going to extra-time and the atmosphere they’ve created helped get us the win.”

He believes fan support was instrumental:

“So, we know that if we put on performances, we can get back to where we were.”

This result, Bowen noted, has shifted the mood:

“We’ve had a good FA Cup result and I think sometimes when you’re in a situation like we are, all you need is one result to kind of change the mood about the camp a little bit, and certainly this week’s been a good week.”

What Role Do Fans Play in West Ham’s Relegation Fight?

Bowen repeatedly credited the Claret and Blue Army, urging at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: “Just stick with us like you have been… keep supporting us like you are.” Acknowledging frustrations over “performances haven’t been good and the results haven’t been good enough,” he praised their unwavering presence: “you always turn up home and away.”

The captain outlined a symbiotic dynamic:

“We have to give you those moments on the pitch for you to celebrate.”

Citing the QPR atmosphere as a turning point, Bowen affirmed its power to propel the team.

Does the Derby Need Extra Motivation for West Ham Players?

With the FA Cup mood-lift fresh, Bowen declared of the derby:

“We have a big derby game, so we don’t need any extra incentive.”

This self-contained drive aligns with his call for on-pitch delivery, positioning the clash as a natural rallying point. Taty and Pablo’s integration adds intrigue, potentially mirroring Bowen and Souček’s 2020 influence.