Adama Boiro reveal raises Ollie Scarles question ahead of West Ham vs Derby
West Ham new boy Adama Boiro already has a case to start in the Championship clash with Derby on Saturday.
The Hammers signed the Senegal-born full-back on loan on transfer deadline day, and have an option to buy.
Ollie Scarles has been the starting left-back for the start of the campaign, with the exit speculation than hung over El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Diouf eventually earned his move to Brentford, and the Hammers have replaced him with the 24-year-old.
Now, Nuno Espirito Santo has a decision to make for the game against the Pride Park outfit.
His decision for the London Stadium contest may actually turn out to be a relatively easy one.
How does new West Ham man Adama Boiro compare to Ollie Scarles?
The numbers provide a case for Boiro to start, even though he has just come through the door, so it leaves a question for Nuno.
He boasts a better pass accuracy, with his figure from the 2025-26 La Liga campaign of 87.1 per cent beating Scarles' 83.6 per cent from the current season, per Fotmob data.
The new addition averaged 6.44 defensive contributions in Spain's top-tier last time out, with two tackles, 3.89 recoveries and 2.44 clearances on a 90 minute basis.
The Englishman managed 5.02 contributions, with 1.79 tackles, 3.59 recoveries and 1.43 clearances per game.
The former Athletic Club ace won 59.3 per cent of his ground duels, while Scarles has won fewer so far this season, so he edges him there too.
Scarles does edge the new man in cross success, 41.7 per cent to Boiro's figure of 25 per cent, and in aerial battles, 100 per cent to 50 per cent.
However, the Irons academy graduate is playing at a lower level, so his stats may be inflated by the poorer opposition.
Why might Nuno not want to throw Boiro in against Derby?
Nuno may have concerns about throwing the new man into the deep end, especially with the challenging nature of the English second-tier.
However, if he can perform in the Spanish top division, then he can surely succeed at a lower level in England.
He outranks Scarles in most metrics, which is impressive considering that he was playing in the elite division in Spain.
Scarles has previously been described as "exceptional" by former boss David Moyes, but his numbers are not exactly that, and Boiro needs to be given the chance to take the starting spot.
Given the fact that the move can be made permanent next summer, then he needs to eventually have his shot, and the data suggests that he will be ready, and should start straight away.