Adama Traoré Banned from Lifting Weights at West Ham by Nuno Espírito Santo

West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has implemented an unusual training restriction for new signing Adama Traoré: he is prohibited from lifting weights at the club’s Rush Green training ground. This decision stems from Nuno’s belief that Traoré’s exceptional physique is a result of his genetics and that additional weight training could be detrimental to his performance.

A Familiar Reunion and a Unique Approach

Traoré recently completed a £2 million move from Fulham to reunite with Nuno, having previously played under his management at Wolverhampton Wanderers between 2018 and 2021. The Portuguese coach explained his reasoning during a press conference on Monday, stating that Traoré’s muscular build is “incredible” and naturally developed. “His genetics have been like this for some time and he should avoid the gym,” Nuno said. “I’ve told him to stay out of the gym. It’s one of the things I suppose he needs to realize. He already has enough weight on him.”

Focus on Prevention and Natural Attributes

While Traoré is barred from traditional weightlifting, Nuno clarified that he will still participate in preventative work in the gym to avoid injury. However, the focus will be on maintaining his existing physical attributes rather than building more muscle mass. Nuno contrasted Traoré’s situation with that of younger players like Airidas Golambeckis, an 18-year-old defender, who needs to build muscle.

Traoré’s West Ham Arrival

Traoré is one of five January signings for West Ham, joining Pablo Felipe, Taty Castellanos, Axel Disasi, and Keiber Lamadrid. Despite having made 15 appearances for Fulham this season alongside Raúl Jiménez, he has yet to start a Premier League match for the Hammers. His previous stint with Nuno at Wolverhampton saw both player and manager achieve success, including qualifying for European competitions.

The Importance of Genetics

Nuno emphasized the importance of recognizing individual player needs. He believes that forcing Traoré to lift weights would be counterproductive, given his already impressive physical condition. The aim is to maximize Traoré’s performance and ensure his fitness for the remainder of the season by preserving his natural strengths.

Sources: Standard.co.uk, Yahoo Sports, The New York Times, Sky Sports