Pablo is a player who has often divided opinion at West Ham.
Since the 22-year-old’s move to East London in January, he has failed to score for the Irons and has spurned several chances in his time.
In the case of most attackers, such a return would signal a very poor signing for the Hammers, who were battling relegation when he signed.
And that’s not to say that there isn’t a portion of the fanbase who don’t rate the Portuguese forward – a section of fans who have made their disapproval of the striker well known.
But strangely, despite his nonexistent goal return and unorthodox style of play, Pablo has become one of West Ham’s most important players.
He holds the ball up chaotically but effectively, and he displays good strength, especially given his age. His link-up play with the likes of Taty Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen has been superb for a while now and was on display once again in the victory against Wolves on Tuesday night.
Pablo is a truly fascinating player. Yes, his impotence in front of goal is frustrating, but he has become a key man in Nuno Espírito Santo’s side. So much so that the Irons’ shape actually looks quite disjointed when he doesn’t occupy that second-striker role in behind Taty.
Some fans may still have their issues with him, but he is such a positive force for the Hammers – and it’s not like West Ham haven’t had similar players become successes before.
Just look at Michail Antonio and Tomáš Souček, two of West Ham’s most successful players of the last twenty years. Neither were particularly glamorous in their style of play, but they were effective. It must be admitted that West Ham will hugely benefit from the big Czech man upon his return from injury.
And while, yes, Pablo hasn’t scored for the Hammers yet, I think that once he opens his account, the goals will start flowing.
Look at Crysencio Summerville last season: an attacker who couldn’t buy a goal until his finish against QPR in January. Following that game, the Dutchman became arguably the Irons’ most prolific player.
Pablo is a player who works incredibly hard for the team – at one point in West Ham history, that meant something.
He may not be the free-scoring striker fans have dreamed of for years, but the Irons are a much more balanced and threatening side in his presence, and have only suffered in his absence.
