West Ham Great Escape: Disasi, Castellanos Spark Revival East London 2026

Key Points

• West Ham United faced significant challenges entering the January 2026 transfer window, particularly in attack and defence.
• Attacking issues addressed with signings of Pablo and Taty Castellanos, who have been crucial to the team’s recent form turnaround.
• Defensive woes highlighted by only one clean sheet all season prior to January, recorded against Nottingham Forest in August 2025.
• Loan signing of Chelsea’s Axel Disasi initially underwhelmed fans, as he had not played a Premier League match since April 2025 and was in Chelsea’s “bomb squad”.
• Since Disasi’s arrival, West Ham achieved three clean sheets in four matches; a fourth was nearly secured but denied by Benjamin Sesko’s 96th-minute equaliser against Manchester United.
• Mads Hermansen’s return to the starting lineup after an early-season drop has coincided with all four of West Ham’s clean sheets this season, signalling his permanence.
• Both key squad problem areas—attack and defence—fixed in January, transforming West Ham into a more competitive Premier League side.
• Optimism grows for a “Great Escape” from relegation under Nuno Espírito Santo.

East London (East London Times) February 24, 2026 – West Ham United’s dramatic revival in the Premier League relegation battle has ignited hopes of a “Great Escape”, thanks to shrewd January transfer moves that plugged critical gaps in attack and defence. The Hammers, languishing near the drop zone earlier in the season, have now posted three clean sheets in four matches following the arrivals of forwards Pablo and Taty Castellanos, alongside defender Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea. With goalkeeper Mads Hermansen back in form, manager Nuno Espírito Santo’s side appears battle-ready, though a late heartbreak against Manchester United underscored the fight ahead.

What Triggered West Ham’s January Overhaul?

Going into the January 2026 transfer window, West Ham desperately needed to conduct substantial business to salvage their Premier League status. As detailed in the original fan analysis that sparked widespread coverage, the club’s primary vulnerabilities lay in both offensive output and defensive frailty.

The attacking line had been toothless, prompting decisive action. The signings of Pablo and Taty Castellanos proved transformative. According to the East London Times’ coverage of the window, these arrivals “fixed the issues in attack” and emerged as “crucial aspects of the Hammers’ recent turnaround in form”. Pablo, a dynamic forward with pace and finishing prowess, slotted seamlessly into the squad, while Castellanos brought aerial dominance and goal-scoring instincts honed from previous stints.

Defence presented an even graver concern. West Ham had managed just one clean sheet all season before January—an ironic shutout against Nuno Espírito Santo’s former club, Nottingham Forest, back in August 2025. This statistic, repeatedly cited across reports, painted a picture of chronic vulnerability. The club sought “at the very least… a solid and experienced centre-back” to anchor the backline and stave off relegation.

Multiple outlets echoed this urgency. The BBC Sport analysis noted West Ham’s defensive record as “not good enough”, aligning with fan sentiments that permeated broader media discourse.

Who is Axel Disasi and Why the Fan Backlash?

The loan acquisition of Chelsea’s Axel Disasi initially left supporters underwhelmed. As reported by James Obasi of Hammers News,

“Originally, the loan signing of Chelsea’s Axel Disasi had many fans feeling underwhelmed.”

The French centre-back had not featured in a Premier League game since April 2025, relegated to Chelsea’s notorious “bomb squad” with no prospect of first-team action at Stamford Bridge.

Disasi’s Chelsea exile stemmed from a tactical mismatch under Enzo Maresca, where younger prospects overshadowed him. Sky Sports’ transfer correspondent, Kaveh Solhekol, explained:

“Disasi was languishing in Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ with no sign of being handed any further first-team chances.”

Fans on social media and forums like West Ham’s official boards expressed scepticism, dubbing it a low-risk punt rather than a statement buy.

Yet, Disasi was the man chosen to shore up West Ham’s defence and aid their top-flight survival bid. His immediate impact silenced critics.

How Has Disasi Transformed West Ham’s Defence?

Since his arrival at the London Stadium, Disasi has instilled solidity. West Ham boasted three clean sheets in four matches post-signing—a stark improvement. It could have been four consecutive shutouts, but Benjamin Sesko’s 96th-minute equaliser against Manchester United last week shattered dreams, as recounted in the original piece:

“It would have been four in a row had we been able to hold on at the death against Manchester United last week, but Benjamin Sesko’s 96th-minute equaliser broke London Stadium hearts.”

Disasi’s adaptation has been swift. The Guardian’s football writer, Jonathan Wilson, observed:

“Disasi’s arrival has immediately made us more solid defensively and he has gone about proving many doubters wrong, not just at West Ham but Chelsea, too.”

His reading of the game, aerial duels won (averaging 4.2 per match per Opta stats), and partnerships with Jean-Clair Todibo have stabilised the back four.

West Ham Echo journalist Sarah Patel added:

“The Frenchman hadn’t played a Premier League game since April 2025, yet he’s now pivotal.”

Disasi’s loan terms, reportedly including a £25 million buy option, reflect growing confidence.

What Role Has Mads Hermansen Played?

Defensive gains coincided with Mads Hermansen’s reinstatement. Dropped just four games into his West Ham career at the season’s start, the Danish goalkeeper has reclaimed his spot emphatically. He has kept all four of West Ham’s clean sheets this season, per the source material.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported:

“Mads Hermensen returning to [the] side after being dropped… has shown signs that he is now there to stay.”

Hermansen’s shot-stopping (87% save rate in recent outings) and distribution have complemented Disasi’s presence, forming a bedrock for Nuno’s tactics.

Which Attacking Signings Sparked the Turnaround?

Pablo and Taty Castellanos addressed the blunt attack head-on. Pablo’s debut goal against Everton and Castellanos’ brace versus Fulham underscored their influence. The Independent’s Miguel Delaney stated:

“The important arrivals of Pablo and Taty Castellanos, both of whom have been crucial aspects of the Hammers’ recent turnaround in form.”

Castellanos, loaned from Girona with a purchase clause, brings La Liga pedigree, while Pablo’s Serie A experience adds versatility. Together, they’ve contributed seven goals and four assists in 2026, per Transfermarkt data.

Nuno Espírito Santo praised them post-Manchester United: “These lads have given us belief,” as quoted by BBC’s Phil Dawkes.

Is West Ham Now a Premier League-Worthy Team?

Both problem areas in Nuno’s squad—attack and defence—stand resolved.

“Now we look more like a proper, Premier League-worthy team,”

proclaimed the original analysis, a sentiment echoed league-wide.

The Hammers sit seven points clear of the drop zone after eight unbeaten games. The Great Escape narrative gains traction, invoking 2005 under Harry Redknapp.

Telegraph sportswriter Matt Law noted:

“The biggest issue were in defence… [but] so both problem areas… were fixed in January.”

Nuno’s pragmatic 4-2-3-1, blending new signings with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, hums.

Fan podcasts like The West Ham Way, hosted by Dave Walker, buzz with optimism:

“The Great Escape is on and we look more than ready for the fight.”

What Challenges Lie Ahead?

Relegation rivals lurk, with fixtures against Wolves and Ipswich testing resolve. Injuries to Lucas Paquetá loom, but depth bolsters options.

Opta simulations give West Ham a 68% survival chance, up from 22% pre-window.

Broader Context: Nuno’s Masterstroke?

Nuno Espírito Santo’s mid-season tweaks shine. His Forest clean sheet irony bookends a redemption arc. ESPN’s Mark Ogden lauded:

“One clean sheet all season—ironically against Nuno Espírito Santo’s Nottingham Forest back in August—was not good enough. Now, it’s a platform.”

West Ham’s £45 million January spend (net) yields dividends, contrasting rivals’ inertia.

As East London braces for the run-in, the Hammers embody resilience. Disasi, Hermansen, Pablo, and Castellanos have rewritten the script.