One potential selection call that is causing a debate amongst West Ham United fans is the battle between Pablo Felipe and Callum Wilson for a starting berth.
Assuming Nuno Espirito Santo sticks with either the 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 system he has used at West Ham United recently and that Taty Castellanos will lead the line, there is one spot available.
January signing Pablo has started most of the games for which he has been fit, while the last time Wilson started was the win over Fulham earlier this month.
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A graphic showing West Ham United's strongest XI.
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Wilson is clearly a much more experienced goalscorer in the Premier League, but the case for Pablo to start instead is much more convincing.
Pablo is better off the ball than Wilson
Pablo’s ability to press has proven transformative for West Ham, along with the work that Castellanos has done on the same front.
Pablo Felipe during West Ham's Premier League game against Tottenham.
Photo by Izzy Poles – AMA/Getty Images
That may not excite people, but the January signings have brought energy and industry with them.
Wilson, on the other hand, has completed one Premier League game all season.
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That’s not to say he cannot play a key role going forward, just that Wilson’s role should come off the bench.
West Ham need to scrap for every ball in the final seven Premier League games of the season and Pablo looks much more robust.
Having both in the squad can only be a good thing.
Callum Wilson during Fulham v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Wilson stats compared to Pablo
None of this is to criticise Wilson.
Still, Pablo’s defensive statistics per game are much more impressive. He averages more tackles (1.6 to 0.1), interceptions (0.6 to 0.1) and clearances (0.9 to 0.1) over that period, while winning more aerial duels (1.7 to 0.6).
Ultimately, strikers are judged on their goals, and it’s hard to imagine Pablo ever proving quite as prolific as Wilson has over the course of his career.
For the very specific situation that West Ham are in right now, however, Pablo is a much better fit as they continue to fight.
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