Adama Traore banned from lifting weights at West Ham, says Nuno Espirito Santo

West Ham United winger Adama Traore has been ordered to stay away from the weights room at the club’s Rush Green training base after head coach Nuno Espirito Santo ruled that the player’s naturally muscular physique needs no further reinforcement.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, Nuno described the 30-year-old’s build as “incredible” and “genetics”, insisting that additional gym work would be counter-productive. “I’ve told him to stay out of the gym,” the Portuguese manager said. “It’s enough weight that he carries. He’ll do prevention work, but he’s not in there lifting weights.”

The restriction was prompted by a social-media clip posted by team-mate Crysencio Summerville last Saturday that showed Traore sitting on a weight bench. Although the Spain international denied using the equipment, Nuno made the club’s position clear at Monday’s press conference, stressing that Traore’s power is already at peak levels.

Nuno contrasted Traore’s situation with that of 18-year-old U21 defender Airidas Golambeckis, who, according to the manager, “spends hours in the gym” in an effort to add muscle.

Traore, who linked up with Nuno for a second time after their successful spell together at Wolverhampton Wanderers between 2018 and 2021, has yet to start a Premier League match for the Hammers since arriving from Fulham in January. His only start came in the FA Cup fourth-round victory over Burton Albion, while he has made four substitute appearances against Chelsea, Burnley, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Despite the limited minutes, Nuno praised the winger’s impact behind the scenes, claiming the squad has “accepted him really well” and highlighting the challenge of displacing in-form forwards Jarrod Bowen and Summerville.

“Traore’s unique,” Nuno added. “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.”

Traore’s arrival was part of a January overhaul that also brought Pablo Felipe, Taty Castellanos, Axel Disasi and Keiber Lamadrid to east London. While Felipe is currently sidelined with a calf injury, Castellanos and Disasi have already made positive contributions, leaving Traore waiting patiently for a sustained opportunity to impress.

Nuno remains confident the winger’s patience will be rewarded: “He’s proven in England, proven with the Spain squad not long ago. His chance will come.”