Castellanos Debuts As West Ham Face Forest Shakeup

The London Stadium was buzzing with anticipation on January 6, 2026, as West Ham United introduced their latest Argentine acquisition, Valentin Castellanos, to the Premier League faithful. The striker, freshly signed from Italian side Lazio for an undisclosed fee earlier in the week, was handed his debut by manager Nuno Espirito Santo—a move that signaled both a new era and a desperate need for change after a disappointing run of form. The Hammers, reeling from a 3-0 defeat at the hands of bottom-placed Wolves just days before, were in dire need of a spark. Would Castellanos provide it?

West Ham’s starting lineup featured four significant changes from that miserable outing at Molineux. Alongside Castellanos, Jean-Clair Todibo and Tomas Soucek returned to the fold, with the creative Lucas Paqueta also getting the nod. Nuno Espirito Santo, facing mounting pressure to deliver results, seemed determined to shake things up. “Now we are in the moment of rebalancing our squad,” the West Ham boss explained ahead of the match. “Two players came in, Taty and Pablo, who I consider good options, players that can help. We need help from those that are coming, but we are the ones that have to improve and make the situation better.”

It’s been a whirlwind few days in East London. The arrivals of Castellanos and Brazilian forward Pablo Felipe have injected a much-needed dose of optimism into a squad that’s struggled for consistency and cutting edge. Nuno made no secret of his high expectations for his new signings: “They are two players that I really believe can bring new things to the team. We had many, many names coming across and Pablo and Taty were the ones that I personally consider that can create an impact. Us as coaches and clubs, these are good chances to try and rebalance.”

For West Ham supporters, the hope is that Castellanos and Pablo can replicate the transformative impact that Paul Kitson and John Hartson had nearly three decades ago, when their arrivals helped steer the club away from relegation. The sense of déjà vu is palpable, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the Hammers languishing just below 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, Tuesday night’s clash was widely billed as a must-win. “Nothing less than all three points will do for the Hammers, as they look to close the gap on 17th placed Nottingham Forest in the Premier League table,” noted one pre-match report.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, arrived in London with changes of their own. Manager Sean Dyche, looking to steady the ship after a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa the previous weekend, brought Callum Hudson-Odoi into the starting eleven in place of Dilane Bakwa. In goal, Matz Sels replaced the injured John Victor, who had picked up a knock during the Villa loss. Dyche’s adjustments were as much about necessity as strategy, with Forest’s position in the table just as precarious as their hosts’.

For both teams, the encounter represented more than just three points—it was an opportunity to reset, to prove that recent signings and tactical tweaks could turn potential into performance. The London Stadium crowd, always quick to voice their opinions, seemed cautiously optimistic as the teams emerged from the tunnel. The inclusion of Castellanos, affectionately nicknamed ‘Taty,’ drew particular attention. West Ham fans have long lamented their struggles to find a reliable goal-scorer, and the Argentine’s arrival was seen as a possible solution to the so-called striker curse that has haunted the club in recent years.

Nuno’s pre-match remarks set the tone for the evening. “It’s the first transfer window that we have. We have to try and make it right. Players that come with purpose, players that come with the intention to really help, be brave to join us in this situation. They need to be brave and we need to make sure that they come with a purpose. So Taty and Pablo, they come with a purpose.” The message was clear: this was about more than just plugging gaps; it was about building a team with character and intent.

On the pitch, the Hammers’ reshuffled lineup showed early signs of cohesion. Paqueta, whose fitness had been in doubt leading up to the match, looked sharp and inventive, linking well with Soucek in midfield. Todibo, another returnee, brought much-needed composure to a defense that had looked rattled against Wolves. But all eyes were on Castellanos, whose movement and energy immediately gave the Forest backline something to think about.

Forest, for their part, were not content to play the role of bystanders. Hudson-Odoi, eager to impress after being restored to the starting lineup, posed a constant threat down the left, while Matz Sels, in his first appearance since stepping in for the injured Victor, commanded his area with authority. Dyche’s side, despite recent setbacks, showed the kind of resilience that has become their hallmark under his stewardship.

The atmosphere in the stands reflected the tension on the pitch. Every West Ham attack was met with a roar of encouragement, every Forest counter with anxious murmurs from the home faithful. The sense that something had to give was almost tangible. Would Castellanos mark his debut with a goal? Would Pablo make an appearance from the bench and announce himself to the Premier League?

As the match unfolded, it became clear that both managers were willing to roll the dice. Nuno, perhaps emboldened by the energy of his new signings, urged his team forward at every opportunity. Dyche, never one to shy away from a tactical battle, responded with timely substitutions of his own, seeking to exploit any gaps in the Hammers’ new-look formation.

While the scoreline remained poised as the game entered its latter stages, the story of the night was already taking shape: this was a contest defined by fresh faces, bold decisions, and the relentless pursuit of redemption. For West Ham, the debut of Castellanos—and the potential introduction of Pablo—offered a glimpse of a brighter future, one built on ambition and belief. For Forest, the resilience shown in the face of adversity was a testament to Dyche’s influence and the squad’s unity.

With the final whistle looming, both sets of fans could only hope that their teams’ new beginnings would translate into points on the board. One thing was certain: at the London Stadium, change was in the air, and neither side was willing to settle for business as usual.