Nuno Espirito Santo has already raved about three West Ham players he can build new team around

Add as preferred source on Google

Nuno Espirito Santo is expected to replace Graham Potter at West Ham United and he already knows plenty about the squad he is set to inherit.

TBR Football understand that West Ham moved to sack Potter on Saturday morning after agreeing terms with Nuno, who will be appointed as his replacement.

West Ham’s wretched start to the season put Potter’s position under pressure and owner David Sullivan had been pondering his future all week.

When he decided to appoint Nuno, he took the decision to sack Potter before Monday’s Premier League clash with West Ham.

Nuno Espirito Santo has already given his verdict on West Ham squad, highlighted three players

Having been in charge at Nottingham Forest at the start of the season, Nuno was beaten comprehensively by Potter’s West Ham in a defeat that would cost him his job.

Speaking before that game, Nuno identified three West Ham players as threats to the opposition, saying: “Just look at the squad of West Ham.

“The manager, [Jarrod] Bowen, James [Ward-Prowse], [Lucas] Paqueta, three central defenders… They have a very good team.”

Espirito Santo worked with Ward-Prowse last season as the former England international spent a year on loan at Forest, but they did not return for the 30-year-old this summer.

Nuno Espirito Santo praised West Ham for key quality after Nottingham Forest defeat in August

Speaking after his 3-0 defeat to West Ham in August at the City Ground, Nuno Espirito Santo bemoaned Nottingham Forest’s lack of balance and urgency.

However he also praised West Ham for their game management, saying: “We were complacent. We need to look at what happened to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We allowed them to kill the game, but after the second goal they were organised.”

Having guided Forest to a European place last season, following his impressive spell at Wolves previously, Nuno Espirito Santo certainly has the pedigree to succeed at West Ham.

And if he can restore a sense of organisation and structure to the Hammers, it could be an inspired appointment despite the ruthless timing of Potter’s sacking.