Nuno Espirito Santo set for risky West Ham change vs Burnley despite success
Nuno Espirito Santo has the opportunity to become a hero as West Ham United face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.
Scott Parker’s team travel to the London Stadium on 8 November, with the Hammers coming into the game high on confidence.
Nuno won three crucial points against Newcastle United at home on 2 November, with the Irons winning 3-1 thanks to Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek and Sven Botman’s own goal.
The Portuguese manager will now want to build on that success, but he may make a risky change to get the better of the Clarets.
Callum Wilson set for West Ham bench vs Burnley
Nuno has struggled to find a reliable number nine at the Hammers, a problem that eventually led to Graham Potter getting the sack.
The former Chelsea and Brighton head coach didn’t have many options up front at the London Stadium, which led to his demise in E20.
Callum Wilson seems to be a victim of David Sullivan’s cost-cutting strategy, with the centre-forward struggling for minutes while being on a pay-as-you-play contract.
The ex-Newcastle striker has recently been handed opportunities as the Portuguese manager deals with an injury crisis, but Paqueta could potentially reprise his role up front at the expense of the England international against Burnley.
However, Wilson was unable to put on a convincing show against his former side, registering an xG of 0.03 in his 61 minutes on the pitch, and taking just one shot in the game, as per Sofascore.
The 33-year-old Englishman had 15 touches in the game, with three unsuccessful, completed one of his two dribbles, lost possession seven times, had a 67 per cent passing accuracy and failed to win any of his three aerial duels.
Niclas Fullkrug has Nuno Espirito Santo in tough spot at London Stadium
Nuno has shared that Niclas Fullkrug could return to action after the November international break, with the striker’s fitness worries continuing in E20.
West Ham aren’t spoilt for choice in the number nine position and will undoubtedly have to rely on the Germany international when he comes back from his injury.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| Premier League | 7 | 1 | 0 | 297 |
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the 32-year-old push for a transfer in January after struggling to find his feet at the London Stadium, but the Hammers arguably can’t afford to let him leave.
The Portuguese manager will arguably have a massive decision to make on Fullkrug’s future in the coming weeks, but it wouldn’t make sense to sell him unless they sign at least two new centre-forwards in the winter transfer window.
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