March 3 – West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo has told new signing Adama Traoré to stay away from the weights at their Rush Green training ground because the winger does not need any extra muscle.
Traoré, who joined permanently from Fulham in January, was filmed sitting on a weight bench in a social media clip posted by Crysencio Summerville before last weekend’s 5-2 defeat at Liverpool. The Spain international later made clear he was not lifting, and Nuno is keen to keep it that way.
“It’s incredible [his muscles], it’s genetics,” Nuno said. “He should avoid the gym. I’ve told him to stay out of the gym. It’s one of the things I think he needs to realise. It’s enough weight that he carries. He’ll do prevention work (in the gym), but he’s not in there lifting weights.”
Nuno, who previously worked with Traoré at Wolves, drew a comparison with one of the club’s younger defenders to underline the point. He said: “Airidas Golambeckis. He spends hours in the gym. We have to get weight on him! He’s the one that needs some muscle.”
Since arriving as one of five January signings – alongside Pablo Felipe, Taty Castellanos, Axel Disasi and Keiber Lamadrid – Traoré has largely been used from the bench. He has yet to start a Premier League match for West Ham, with his only start coming in the FA Cup win over Burton Albion. Appearances so far have been limited to cameos against Chelsea, Burnley, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Despite that, Nuno maintains the 30-year-old remains a key part of his plans to escape relegation.
“You have to realise the players that are not involved are hugely important for us in terms of preparation and options for the game itself,” he said. “Traore’s unique. There’s not many players in world football with his ability, pace and skills in 1v1 situations.
“He’s a talent that we have to take advantage of, but it will take time. He has to adapt. He has to understand many things inside of the dynamic of the team. But he’s proven, not only at Wolves, he’s proven in England, in the Spain squad not long ago. So we’re talking about a high-level player.”
Nuno insists competition for places remains strong within the squad, with captain Jarrod Bowen and in-form Summerville currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
“I think the squad has accepted him really well,” Nuno added. “He has brought new energy to us. We’ve been trying every day to help him. But of course, ahead of him he has two players at the top of their game, Bowen and Summerville. Traore’s patient enough to realise his chance will come.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1772537609labto1772537609ofdlr1772537609owedi1772537609sni@g1772537609niwe.1772537609yrrah1772537609
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