West Ham’s incomings at the turn of the year highlighted the importance of the January window.
As 2025 rolled into 2026, the Hammers were one of the favourites to go down. They were just four points off safety. However, they showed no fight or desire to consolidate their Premier League status.
In this article, we’ll cover:
That they handed Wolves their first league win of the season on January 3rd hardly helped matters. Nuno Espirito Santo’s job was on the line. The club, to their credit, rode out the storm. They backed the manager and used the January window to bolster the squad.
On January 2nd, they signed Pablo from Gil Vicente. Three days later, Taty Castellanos was confirmed a West Ham player. At the midway stage of the month, Paco Jemez came in as a first-team coach. They rounded off the winter window with the loan addition of Axel Disasi.
And in the weeks since, West Ham have gone from a position of hopelessness to one of hope. They fancy their chances of staving off relegation. That rivals Tottenham continue to labour through the final months of the season certainly helps. Spurs head into the weekend’s league matches stuck in the bottom three, two points behind the east London outfit.
Tit for Taty
A key reason has been the impact of the January arrivals. Take note, Tottenham Hotspur. The addition of Taty has proven particularly effective. The Argentine thrived in MLS. He’s proven far less productive in front of goal back in Europe. However, he’s been a vital player for the Hammers.
Not because of his goalscoring exploits – four league goals ranks among the club’s top scorers this season – but rather his selflessness on the frontline. Taty is a work-horse of a forward. He’ll run, and run, and run. The 27-year-old presses high and chases lost causes. In short – he’s a nightmare for defenders and doesn’t give them a moment’s rest.
While it’s difficult to quantify Taty’s impact, that he has committed 21 fouls while in turn mustering just 27 shots serves to highlight the lengths he’ll go to in order to disrupt backlines. This desire to limit an opponents’ rhythm lessens their chances to build attacks from the back. As such, they are more likely to erratically concede possession rather than calmly play the ball out from defence.
As a result, this eases pressure on the West Ham goal. This, in turn, is key. West Ham have conceded the third most goals (57) in the 2025-26 Premier League season. Only Burnley (16.7) are conceding more shots per 90 than Nuno’s side (15.3). By having such a hard-working forward leading the charge, it minimises the opportunities opponents are able to forge.
Hard-working Pablo
Additionally, this helps to force opposition turnovers in dangerous areas. Defenders are more error-prone when under pressure, and Taty is able to relentlessly press in order to win the ball high up the pitch. In short – he’s an absolute nightmare to play against.
And it’s a similar story for Pablo. While his arrival didn’t attract substantial fanfare, the 22-year-old has recently consolidated a first-team spot under Nuno. And like Taty, Pablo hasn’t proven particularly effective in front of goal.
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Conversely, Pablo is a handful for opponents. Indeed, an average of three tackles per 90 ranks fourth for West Ham. Similarly to Taty, he isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers. Pablo, after all, has committed as many fouls as he has created chances and managed shots, combined (14).
This defending from the front sets the tone for the rest of the team. They are able to push forward and squeeze the space afforded to opponents. And this in turn really benefits a backline that has improved markedly since Disasi made the move across the capital.
Dis-track
Cast to the Chelsea ‘Bomb Squad’ by former Blues boss Enzo Maresca, Disasi’s reputation took at hit at Aston Villa last season. Now playing for a reactive West Ham outfit, his strengths have come to the fore. Teams are unable to capitalise upon his lack of pace given West Ham’s willingness to operate closer to their goal.
A 42% possession return is the second lowest in the division as the Hammers sit deep and look to counter opponents. Seven counter-attacking goals is the fourth highest in England’s top tier.
Disasi’s experience at the back has resulted in a more solid West Ham outfit, the 5-2 defeat to Liverpool aside. The desire to get the ball forward quickly means the 28-year-old’s average of 2.5 completed long passes per 90 ranks third for outfielders for Nuno’s side. He’s proven a key man at both ends of the pitch.
West Ham fans were fearing the worst earlier in the season. The 3-0 defeat at Molineux was a real low point for the club. However, they have come through a real rough patch to boost their survival chances. And a huge factor has been the January arrivals, who have hit the ground running following their respective moves to the London Stadium.
