Adama Traore has been told to ditch heavy lifting at West Ham’s training base by manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Despite his hulking frame, the Portuguese coach believes the winger already carries sufficient bulk. The directive came days after a viral clip showed Traore pressing 145kg at Rush Green.
Nuno could not hide his amazement at the Spaniard’s build. “It’s incredible [his physique], it’s genetics,” he said before Wednesday’s league trip to Fulham. Yet he quickly added, “[But] his genetics has been like this for some time now and he should avoid the gym.”
“I’ve told him to stay out of the gym,” Nuno stressed firmly. “It’s one of the things that I think he needs to realise. It’s enough weight that he carries.”
West Ham boss Nuno explains why Adama Traore must avoid heavy weightlifting
“He’ll do prevention work [in the gym], but he’s not in there lifting weights,” the manager clarified. By contrast, he pointed to academy defender Airidas Golambeckis as someone needing extra muscle.“
He spends hours in the gym – we have to get weight on him. He’s the one that needs some muscle, it’s the other way around,” Nuno said.
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Traore joined West Ham in January for a fee rising to £2m after 20 appearances for Fulham. However, league minutes have been scarce, with just four substitute outings so far. His only start arrived in the FA Cup win over Burton Albion.
Still, Nuno remains convinced the explosive winger will deliver when it matters most. “Traore’s unique. There are not many players in world football with his ability, pace and skills in one v one situations,” he said. “He’s a talent that we have to take advantage of, but it will take time.”
Tags: Nuno Espirito Santo, Adama Traore, West Ham, gym, #WHUFC, #PremierLeague, #FFC, Fulham.
