Callum Marshall may have expected to receive more of a run-out during West Ham United’s first two games of pre-season.
Instead, the Hammers expect Taty Castellanos to stay, interest in Pablo Felipe is yet to materialise, and Jarrod Bowen excitedly bought into Daniel Kretinsky’s promotion project.
Unlike in central midfield or the left wing – where the departures of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville have created opportunities for Lewis Orford, George Earthy, Keiber Lamadrid and Josh Ajala – Callum Marshall appears no closer to a first-team role now than when he was loaned out to VFL Bochum in January.
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From third-choice in the first half of 2025/26 – behind Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson – to third-choice at best now.
And that is without mentioning the fact that a new competitor scored on his first appearance for the Hammers seniors a few days ago; Jett Murphy enhanced his ‘natural goalscorer’ reputation in Stevenage.
Th Northern Ireland international has also had to content himself with around 70 pre-season minutes from a possible 180 so far. Marshall played the final half-hour as West Ham United drew with Southend last week before replacing Taty at the interval as Nuno Espirito Santo’s free-scoring side rattled five past Stevenage at Broadhall Way.
Yet, Marshall has still provided the occasional glimpse into the qualities he would bring to Nuno’s squad if the manager opts to keep him around.
Callum Marshall has had a mixed pre-season at West Ham United
Against Southend, goalscoring opportunities were scarce. Yet, he very nearly created a goal for the aforementioned Orford out of pure, unfiltered tenacity.
Marshall earned comparisons with Jamie Vardy while impressing the West Ham fans last summer. And the way he hustled and harried the home defence – making a half-chance out of nothing in the process – was certainly Vardy-esque.
Three days later in Hertfordshire, Marshall raced onto a nicely-weighted Preston Fearon through-ball before failing to beat the home goalkeeper on the angle.
It may have felt like an opportunity wasted – in every sense – but the speed and movement which put Marshall in that position in the first place caught the eye.
After all, West Ham don’t really have a centre-forward whose preference is to run in behind.
Marshall offers something different to Taty Castellanos and Pablo
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Castellanos did so to double West Ham’s lead against Stevenage – he slotted home a lovely Bowen pass – but he can often be found dropping deep to receive possession.
Pablo Felipe is always game, always willing, but he’s far from the quickest off the mark.
Marshall, then, feels like a potential joker in Nuno’s pack.
Maybe not someone who can be relied upon to score anywhere near regularly enough for a side with title ambitions. But maybe someone you can bring off the bench to stretch an opposition defence, run the channels, press high, create space, and be a general nuisance up top.
Marshall’s profile – a skillset unique in the Hammers camp – may be the thing which keeps him around for a little while longer.
West Ham are yet to replace his departed namesake Wilson, so there is a spot open in the roster as things stand.
A goal in Sunday 4pm kick-off at Ibrox – or at the very least an effective cameo off the bench – may see Marshall join James Ward-Prowse, Alphonse Areola and Max Kilman as one of the first-team fringe players giving Nuno food for thought.
“Marshall just might persuade Nuno not to push him out on loan again,” one Hammers News reader writes on our official Facebook page.
“I would play [Ollie] Scarles at left-back instead of [Ezra] Mayers. I would also give Areola a chance in goal. [Freddie] Potts I would play as earthy at some point,” another says.
“Marshall and Ajala, I think they will be strong up front.”
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