West Ham’s new manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, has wasted no time stamping his authority on the squad. After replacing Graham Potter, the Portuguese coach has already made bold moves — including the shock omission of James Ward-Prowse — signaling a new era at the London club.
From Potter’s “Nice Guy” Approach to Nuno’s Ruthless Leadership
Under Graham Potter, West Ham were criticized for lacking intensity and passion. Former players and pundits, including Troy Deeney, described Potter as “too nice” and incapable of motivating the squad. Supporters grew frustrated with his passive interviews and the team’s flat performances.
That changed instantly when Nuno Espirito Santo took charge. In his first interview and match against Everton, the Hammers showed renewed fight and energy. The contrast between Potter’s mild manner and Nuno’s authoritative presence has been striking.
James Ward-Prowse Dropped from West Ham Squad
The biggest headline from Nuno’s debut was his ruthless decision to drop James Ward-Prowse completely from the squad. While Potter persisted with the midfielder, many fans had grown frustrated with his inclusion in every game.
Reports now suggest Ward-Prowse has effectively been put on “gardening leave,” training separately from the core first-team group. Nuno has made it clear that players who do not fit his vision will not feature in his long-term plans.
West Ham’s New “Core” First-Team Group
Training footage released ahead of the Arsenal clash revealed Nuno’s tactical approach. A select first-team group trained closely with the manager, including:
- Jarrod Bowen
- Mateus Fernandes
- Crysencio Summerville
- El Hadji Malick Diouf
- Soungoutou Magassa
- Lucas Paqueta
- Tomas Soucek
- Niclas Füllkrug
- Max Kilman
- Alphonse Areola
- Ollie Scarles
- Konstantinos Mavropanos
- Callum Marshall
- Kyle Walker-Peters
This inner circle highlights who Nuno views as essential to his project at West Ham.
The “Sub Squad” and West Ham’s Bomb Squad
Alongside his first-team core, Nuno has created a separate substitute squad. This group includes players either on the fringes or fighting to prove themselves. Among them are:
- James Ward-Prowse
- Callum Wilson
- Guido Rodríguez
- Igor Julio
- Jean-Clair Todibo
- Luis Guilherme
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Freddie Potts
- Andy Irving
- Goalkeepers Łukasz Fabiański and Mads Hermansen
These players trained in high-intensity small-sided games, with Nuno directly monitoring their performances. However, the separation makes clear who belongs to the main squad — and who may soon be on their way out.
Soucek’s Place Despite Suspension
Interestingly, Tomas Soucek was included in the core group despite being suspended for the Arsenal match. This suggests the Czech midfielder remains a key figure in Nuno’s long-term setup.
Nuno confirmed he will trim his 22-man squad down to 20 for each matchday. Those repeatedly left out of the final list are unlikely to have a future at the club.
Conclusion: A Bold New Era for West Ham
Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival has already transformed the mood at West Ham. His decisive handling of James Ward-Prowse and clear restructuring of the squad underline a no-nonsense approach. With a crucial clash against Arsenal ahead and the January transfer window looming, it is clear this is Nuno’s West Ham — and only those who meet his standards will remain.
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