Nuno Espirito Santo set for private Soungoutou Magassa talks at West Ham after what happened vs Everton
Nuno Espirito Santo instantly brought Soungoutou Magassa into the West Ham starting XI against Everton, after weeks in the wilderness.
West Ham and Everton shared the points on Monday after a game of two halves at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen netted a West Ham equaliser against Everton in terrific fashion, securing a 1-1 draw in Nuno’s maiden voyage with the claret and blue outfit.
This saw Nuno make big calls as West Ham boss just two days after being named as the replacement for Graham Potter in East London.
One of those was to start Magassa on Merseyside, although this may have led to further talks between the Portuguese head coach and the summer signing.
Nuno Espirito Santo to demand Soungoutou Magassa change
Magassa was excellent for West Ham against Everton as he proved exactly why the Irons opted to bring him to the London Stadium.
The Frenchman made a positive impact as the Hammers started with an exciting midfield trio featuring the ex-Monaco youngster, Mateus Fernandes, and Lucas Paqueta.
As exciting as his showcase was, there were some concerns over his discipline and rash nature in the tackle for the Hammers.
| Stat vs Everton | Soungoutou Magassa |
| Minutes played | 59 |
| Defensive contributions | 9 |
| Tackles completed | 2 |
| Duel win rate (%) | 50 |
| Fouls committed | 2 |
Having given away two fouls and picked up a booking for his troubles, former Brentford and Leicester City boss Martin Allen believes Nuno will have a word with Magassa, while remaining complimentary of his performance.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Allen said: “Nuno may have a word about his yellow cards, but not about the mobility and getting stuck in.
“He replaced James Ward-Prowse, who lacks that ability to get around the pitch and to go from box to box.
“Magassa added tenacity to the team with his tackles and blocks.
“I think he looked really good, and I’m sure he’s going to be a regular first-team player under Nuno to help get points on the board.“
Magassa could benefit from Nuno crunch talks at West Ham
It may seem silly to suggest that an industrious, defensive-minded midfielder needs to direct his focus away from risky challenges.
At 21, it would benefit Magassa to get out of this habit immediately, as the Hammers already have proof of how it can derail a career at the London Stadium.
Edson Alvarez came in with a much better pedigree than the Frenchman, but his poor discipline has resulted in him now playing for Fenerbahce on loan.
If Nuno can get in the ear of the 21-year-old after his move from Monaco, it could prove to be the difference between a stellar or poor career in East London.
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