According to reports from inside West Ham, Luis Guilherme has been impressing Graham Potter in training. Unlike his predecessor Julen Lopetegui, who continually complained that Guilherme was underachieving in training sessions throughout the first half of the season. Each time The Brazilian has had a cameo showing as a substitute, he has impressed with his pace, direct running and ability to take on defenders.
Which is exactly why he may get more of an opportunity to perform on the pitch in Lucas Paquetá’s absence. Hammers’ hierarchy decided to hang onto the youngster on deadline day even though offers to take him away from London Stadium were made: It is time to put his assets to better use than propping up the substitutes’ lists.
The ankle injury which Paquetá has sustained forces a rejig that offers all sorts of permutations, but recent reports have suggested Guilherme is uppermost in his coaches’ mind: :”“Guilherme really has the bit between his teeth at the moment and it has not gone unnoticed by the manager” hammers.news suggested a few days ago, their top source suggesting“it seems there is serious consideration being given to Guilherme starting”.
Which would raise a few eyebrows indeed: Surely Kudus, Bowen and Ferguson will be starting too – so it will be fascinating to see how how Guilherme fits into that jigsaw puzzle. More likely he will be on the bench but as a ‘plan B’ at 60 minutes, than an out and out starter unless Graham Potter goes full-out banzai. Which is unlikely.
What is certain – Luis Guilherme gets closer to minutes on the pitch and hasn’t disappointed anyone each time he’s pulled off his tracksuit. The chance for Guilherme to show he is a real jewel and not just Tim Steidten’s “white elephant’ oddball purchase will be as exciting for us as watchers, as it will be for the young forward himself.
Saturday would be a great time to take a step up and contribute to Hammers’ options in offence. I’m a great believer that you do what your opponent wants least: And tired defenders won’t relish him coming on after an hour, having chased Kudus, Bowen and Ferguson around for 60 minutes.
