Traore Prohibited from Weightlifting by West Ham Manager
Adama Traore, who has made 266 Premier League appearances, has been banned from lifting weights at West Ham's training ground by manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
The winger's muscular physique has been described as "incredible" by Nuno, who cautioned the 30-year-old that he already "carries enough weight."
Traore had previously claimed that he did not engage in weightlifting, but teammate Crysencio Summerville shared a video on social media showing Traore bench-pressing 145kg at the club's Rush Green training facility last week.
"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 during a news conference ahead of West Ham's Premier League match at Fulham on Wednesday.
"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."
Traore's Recent Career and Role at West Ham
Traore made 20 appearances for Fulham across all competitions this season before transferring to West Ham in January in a deal reportedly worth up to £2 million.
The Barcelona academy product has been limited to four substitute appearances in the Premier League since his move, with his only start for West Ham coming in the FA Cup fourth round victory over League One side Burton Albion.
Nuno, who previously coached Traore at Wolves, expressed confidence that the player's opportunity to contribute will arise as West Ham fights to maintain their Premier League status in the closing months of the season.
"Traore's unique. There are not many players in world football with his ability, pace and skills in one v one situations," Nuno said.
"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."
Additional Context
Traore's physicality has been a notable aspect of his playing style, but the manager's guidance reflects a tailored approach to his fitness and conditioning. The club appears to be managing his workload carefully to optimize performance and reduce injury risk.
West Ham continues to navigate a challenging Premier League campaign, and integrating Traore effectively remains a priority for the coaching staff.
