Nuno tipped to take behind-scenes action vs West Ham star after disappointing incident

Nuno tipped to take behind-scenes action vs West Ham star after disappointing incident

New West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo has wasted no time making his mark at Rush Green, and he’s now being tipped to take action against another star player after his controversial James Ward-Prowse decision.

Nuno assessing West Ham squad after James Ward-Prowse axe

Almost immediately after replacing Graham Potter last Saturday, Nuno axed Ward-Prowse from the matchday squad for his debut game in the dugout at Everton, despite the player being a mainstay for his predecessor.

West Ham players were allegedly left shocked by Nuno’s decision to drop the 30-year-old (GiveMeSport), and it has since been reported that Ward-Prowse has no future at the London Stadium under Potter’s heir.

The Englishman could even re-join former club Southampton after being told that he’s surplus to requirements behind-the-scenes (Dean Jones), but Nuno has attempted to quell reports about Ward-Prowse by suggesting that the midfielder still has a chance to play his way into the squad.

“We are trying to know the players as soon as possible so we can make proper solutions,” Nuno said in his pre-Arsenal press conference.

“James was not involved. Let’s see after more training sessions. It is about what the team needs and wants — it is going to be a long season.”

However, despite Nuno’s attempts to silence the noise, respected journalist Fabrizio Romano is among the media sources to claim that Ward-Prowse’s January exit is a very real possibility.

For other members of the squad, Nuno is set to assess them over the coming months.

“Ward-Prowse is one of them, as he could leave the club,” Romano said in his GiveMeSport newsletter.

“For others, it is still early, assessing options ahead of decisions.”

Ward-Prowse is actually just one free-kick goal away from equalling David Beckham’s all-time Premier League record of 18, but all the signs suggest that he won’t be reaching that milestone in East London.

In terms of other players who could meet Nuno’s wrath, former Brentford boss Martin Allen has claimed that the 51-year-old could take action against star midfielder Lucas Paqueta after an incident in the 1-1 draw at Everton.

Nuno tipped to take action against Lucas Paqueta after West Ham incident

Speaking to West Ham Zone, Allen tipped Nuno to pull Paqueta aside for talks in the West Ham offices.

This is due to the Brazil international’s playacting on Merseyside, with Paqueta going down and clutching his face after a challenge from Vitali Mykolenko in a possible attempt to get the defender sent off.

“I didn’t like that, to be honest with you,” Allen said.

“It’s something that the manager will address with him to explain that West Ham don’t want to play like that to get somebody sent off.

“I thought he played well against Everton, but that is something that Nuno will be pulling him into his office for.

“He’ll shut the door, one-to-one, show him the clip, he went down holding his face, but was hit in the ribs, it’s something that is the way of playing in South America. It’s not something that referees want in the Premier League, and I don’t think the West Ham fans like it either.“

The 28-year-old sent a clear message of loyalty to West Ham after his goal against Nottingham Forest, kissing the badge amid reports at the time that he could join Aston Villa, with Paqueta ultimately deciding to stay with Nuno’s side.

West Ham stuck by the former Lyon star during his spot-fixing scandal, and he could now be looking to repay the Irons’ faith by making an excellent start under Nuno.

A 2022/2023-esque performance against Arsenal wouldn’t go amiss this weekend, with Nuno up against the Premier League’s set-piece specialists and potential title favourites, before West Ham take a fortnight off for the international break.