West Ham summer signing gives glimpse of potential
Nobody has had to wait longer for Luis Guilherme to come good than Luis Guilherme himself.
It feels like a long time ago that West Ham fans were excited by the club dipping into the South American market—not for a journeyman, but for one of Brazil’s hottest young prospects.
The £20 million move from Palmeiras brought the 18-year-old to London with his family, but things haven’t gone to plan. He struggled to adjust, former boss Julen Lopetegui didn’t fancy him much, and even after Graham Potter’s arrival, chances remained limited.
Towards the end of the January transfer window, West Ham rejected a £20 million money-back offer from Flamengo, a decision that looked highly questionable—until yesterday.
Guilherme’s full debut in the 1-0 defeat to Wolves was far from impressive, though it’s fair to say Potter’s cautious setup didn’t help him. But there were more positive signs in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, where the teenager came on as a second-half substitute.
His cameo wasn’t perfect—he wasted a good opportunity by shooting instead of squaring the ball—but he showed glimpses of promise. There was pace, intent, and even a cheeky nutmeg that brought the crowd to life.
It wasn’t spectacular, but it was something—and after such a difficult start, that counts.
There’s still a long way to go, but for the first time in months, there’s genuine hope that Luis Guilherme can become a good player for West Ham.
I, for one, look forward to seeing more.
You are knob Gonzo.
It’s going to be a tough ask to get Potter playing this lad regularly.
At 19 years he is still raw material but everybody has to start somewhere.
His history shows with some support he has prospects which he will probably develop.
Positionally has much versatility but left wing is not his strongest it has been said attack mid is his best position.
Put him alongside Banzuzi & Baris Alpert Yilmaz who both wanted whu in January add a couple of academy players.
Potential for some speedy play increases multi fold.
Good luck Guilherme hoping Potter remembers his promises.
Were we at the same game? Running down blind alleys and zero crosses. I saw nothing to inspire me.
We all know Kudus is going this summer and I think it’s time for it to happen. This will leave a space open for more appearances and IF Paqueta and Emerson stay Guillherm will have of countrymen on hand ti assist. It’s £85m for me and Bowen and Summerville on each flank and this young lad there pushing
I agree especially with Summerville injury creating doubt on his future, we need quck wide players badly to take pressure off Bowen. Fingers crossed Fulkrigg can stay fit as he completely changed our game in minutes yesterday.
I am sorry but the selection should have been guillerhme to start and kudus to be the substitute, for me kudus has been and will remain useless and makes west ham look that they are always playing with 10 players … he is non existent, believe me having guillerhme feeding fullkurg … it will be a different ball game
obviously missed his excellent assist for Bowen on the weekend. man of the match in the Arsenal win. Optometrists exist