Summer transformation hints at new role for West Ham prospect

With the impending departure of Crysencio Summerville, West Ham’s left-sided wide options look sparse. The exit of Adama Traore at the end of his half-season contract at east London shows up Nuno’s squad as having very few options on that left hand side.

Many – me included- expected Keiber Lamadrid to operate opposite Jarrod Bowen with, perhaps, Nuno having one eye on a possible summer sale for the Dutch winger leading him to trigger Lamadrid’s £1m release clause after a short loan.

However, evidently that isn’t how Lamadrid himself regards his future at West Ham.  The Venezuelan’s words speak volumes about how he sees his position and his likely role within Nuno’s West Ham United side: And seemingly it is not, first and foremost, as a left winger:

“You are a versatile player. What is your favourite position?“..

I think that’s valuable for any coach because he wants to have a player in many positions.

The truth is that I like it. I adapt quickly to the position I have to play in. I’ve played as a full-back and can also play on the outside, but I like to play more on the inside, to connect, to play forward.

I think that’s my biggest strength and makes me feel comfortable.” (whufc.com)

From the look of him in training images, he’s put the summer to good use and has been hitting the gym ready to deal with the physicality of a full gruelling season in the second tier.

Nuno’s deployment of the Venezuelan as an attacking midfielder rather than an out-and-out winger against Southend might well have been out of necessity: However, as the pre-season games come and go, if Lamadrid continues in a more central role, it will be evident that Nuno shares the player’s view that he’s better off closer to the centre of the pitch.

It’ll also surely hasten the Hammers’ search for a genuine wide player with whom to start the Championship season.