West Ham’s January signing of Pablo [Felipe](https://www.claretandhugh.info/mavropanos-dropped-nuno-to-bring-back-pablo-in-city-shake-up/) sparked a mixed reaction among supporters. The young striker arrived as a relative unknown, and his early months in London have been disrupted by a calf injury that stalled his rhythm and match sharpness. So far, he has featured in six Premier League games and two FA Cup ties, totalling 454 minutes, enough to show flashes of promise, but not yet enough to make a definitive impact.
What he _has_ shown is commitment, relentless work rate, strong tackling, and a willingness to press, even if he isn’t the quickest forward in the squad. The jump from La Liga Portugal to the Premier League is enormous in terms of pace, physicality, and defensive pressure, and West Ham have used him mainly as a rotational option rather than a guaranteed starter. Naturally, that limits his chances in front of goal.
Pablo Felipe has much more to his game than mere ‘pressing from the front’
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Nuno Espírito Santo knows the player’s background well, he once played alongside Pablo’s father, Pena, and the striker is represented by Jorge Mendes. It’s clear Nuno didn’t sign Pablo solely for what he is today, but for what he could become. The club describes him as a strong, powerful centre‑forward who can score, create, link play, and press aggressively. At 1.84m, he can hold the ball up, battle defenders, and operate across multiple attacking roles. His time in Portugal also highlighted two standout traits: ball‑carrying ability and instinctive finishing.
His spell at Gil Vicente remains the best evidence of his potential. In the 2025/26 Liga Portugal season, he scored 10 goals in just 13 matches, an exceptional return for a 22‑year‑old. Across his two seasons there:
* **2024/25:** 5 goals in 20 league games
* **2025/26:** 10 goals in 13 league games
This wasn’t a fluke. It showed consistency, growth, and confidence. Gil Vicente used him as a focal point, giving him regular starts and service something he hasn’t yet enjoyed at West Ham.
Given his age, physical profile, and proven scoring record, Pablo Felipe is likely to grow into his role once he regains full fitness, earns more consistent minutes, and builds chemistry with the team. His history suggests that once he gets his first goal, the floodgates could open.
West Ham may have a hidden gem!