Adama Traore has been banned from lifting weights at West Ham’s training ground, Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed.
The Spaniard has endured a tough start to life in east London. After finding minutes hard to come by at Fulham, Traore made a switch to West Ham in the January window in a deal worth £2 million.
He is yet to make much of an impact at his new club, though. Traore is yet to make his full Premier League debut for the Hammers, having been named on the substitute’s bench in his first five matches.
His only start for the club thus far came in their FA Cup tie against Burton Albion, a game which ended 1-0 to the Premier League club.
The explosive winger’s greatest asset is without doubt his strength, but it’s now been revealed that he’s no longer allowed to lift weights at the training ground.
Why Adama Traore is Banned From Lifting Weights at West Ham
Traore had gone through a remarkable body transformation in his career, going from a skinny teenager at Barcelona to one of the strongest players in world football at West Ham.
The 30-year-old has previously said that he doesn’t lift weights and that his physique is purely genetics. Speaking in 2022, he said:
“It’s hard to believe, but I don’t do weights. It’s genetic. I exercise, but I gain mass very quickly.”
That claim has been exposed recently, with team-mate Crysencio Summerville recently posted a video on social media of Traore working out in the gym.
Espirito Santo, who also worked with Traore at Wolverhampton Wanderers, has now revealed that he has banned Traore from lifting weights at the gym and explained why.
Speaking at a news conference before Wednesday’s Premier League match at Traore’s former side Fulham, the Portuguese manager said, per the BBC:
“It’s incredible [his physique], it’s genetics. [But] his genetics has been like this for some time now and he should avoid the gym,” said Nuno, speaking at a news conference before Wednesday’s Premier League match at Fulham.
“I’ve told him to stay out of the gym. It’s one of the things that 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.
“For example, [Under-21s defender] Airidas Golambeckis, 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.”
Espirito Santo: Traore Needs to Stay Patient
Traore will be eager to make his first Premier League start for West Ham when they face his former side Fulham on Wednesday evening. Espirito Santo has praised the Spaniard, but said that he must stay patient.
He said: “Traore’s unique. There are not many players in world football with his ability, pace and skills in one v one situations.
“He’s a talent that we have to take advantage of, but it will take time. He has to adapt and understand the dynamic of the team. But he’s proven in England and in the Spain squad not long ago, so we’re talking about a high-level player.”
