Pablo has seemingly fallen out of favor with Scott Parker at West Ham United. According to Claret & Hugh, the £20m striker has not been included in a matchday squad since Parker took over from Nuno Espírito Santo on November 4. This includes missing the 3-3 draw against Cardiff City and the 2-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers, where Joël Piroe and Taty Castellanos led the attack. The 22-year-old Brazilian joined from Gil Vicente in January, so his absence is a concern for a club that needs their investment to yield results.
The reasons for his exclusion are clear. Pablo netted 10 goals in 13 Primeira Liga games prior to his arrival, yet he has struggled in the Premier League, failing to score in 14 appearances. He recorded 12 shots with only three hitting the target, coming from an expected goals tally of 1.05. His first goal for West Ham came in September, just before halftime in a League Cup defeat to Fulham. Fans have criticized his finishing and technique, which is reflected in his statistics.
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What Pablo Brings to the Team
Work rate serves as a potential argument for Pablo’s inclusion. Standing at 6ft tall, he averages 2.2 aerial duels won per game along with 2.2 recoveries and 1.8 tackles in the Premier League. This indicates a forward who contributes defensively as well. Parker noted the passive nature of his team’s first half at Cardiff, where they found themselves 3-0 down after 39 minutes. After halftime substitutions including Piroe and Mohamadou Kanté, West Ham improved significantly, launching 14 shots compared to Cardiff’s three.
Pablo’s future with the team relies on his performance in the coming weeks. With Piroe, Manor Solomon, and Edvin Austbø on international duty, he has a two-week window to impress before Preston arrives at the London Stadium on November 21. The club currently sits ninth in the league, six points behind leaders Birmingham, and Parker is yet to secure a victory in his two games.
The tactical situation is more straightforward than Pablo’s current form. Nuno employed a 4-4-2 formation this season with Piroe and Castellanos at the forefront, while Pablo previously played as a second striker in that setup last year, partnered with Castellanos. However, he has not contributed much in terms of assists or goals, with just one league assist across 14 matches.
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Is It Time for West Ham to Give Pablo a Chance Under Parker?
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Pablo Felipe of West Ham United during the Sky Bet Championship 2026/27 match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at London Stadium on October 31, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Some argue that he deserves another opportunity, especially given the club’s £20m investment for a player tied to a contract until 2030. Since Piroe is on loan from Leeds, Pablo represents one of the few forwards Coach Parker can rely on for future seasons. After a disappointing first half in Wales, Parker is searching for intensity, and currently, no other player in the squad matches his pressing ability.
The logical next step would be to start him against Preston alongside Castellanos, tasked with pressuring their center-backs and goalkeeper. If he can regain possession high up the pitch, scoring chances are likely to follow, reminiscent of his prolific scoring at Gil Vicente. Conversely, if he underperforms, Parker would have his answer.
West Ham should impose a timeline for this assessment. A 22-year-old on the sidelines diminishes in value each week, meaning a loan in January may be the best route to safeguard their investment. Prioritizing promotion takes precedence over reaffirming a £20m signing, so Parker must focus on pressing metrics rather than goals to evaluate Pablo’s contributions.
