Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Tue 21 April 2026 7:10, UK

Adama Traore watched on as West Ham United secured a point against Crystal Palace on Monday.

The Hammers travelled to Selhurst Park knowing that a win would take them four points clear of Tottenham in the relegation zone.

They could only manage a 0-0 draw as both sides kept a clean sheet in a largely frustrating affair in Croydon.

There were chances as Konstantinos Mavropanos came so close to adding to his goal tally, but the game eventually ebbed out, and the points were shared.

West Ham needed a goal against Palace, but Adama was left on the bench, which raises questions about what Nuno Espirito Santo thinks of the winger.

Adama Traore left on bench in Crystal Palace draw

It was far from a classic against the Eagles in what became a largely boring outing for any neutrals watching on.

There were a few clear-cut chances, but the Irons still managed to get more shots on target than Oliver Glasner’s side.

They didn’t really make the most of those efforts in the end, as Dean Henderson was only forced into three relatively easy saves.

Even with that being the case, Nuno decided not to call on Adama and left him to watch on despite a clear need for creativity, width and strength.

The Hammers were being outmuscled on the flanks, and the Spaniard was still left to rot on the bench for the entire 90 minutes.

Adama has shown quality since joining West Ham in January, but it seems he doesn’t have his manager’s backing right now.

Adama destined for West Ham summer exit

The 30-year-old didn’t leave Fulham and move to the London Stadium to sit out boring draws in claret and blue.

He will know what sort of impact he could have made as a substitute at Selhurst Park if Nuno had called upon him.

The head coach loved the winger at Wolves, and that relationship caused a move to E20, but it seems that he doesn’t like what he’s seen since January.

That’s despite a stunning performance against Leeds in the FA Cup, where he looked back to his best.

If he did, the number 17 would have surely been given a chance to make a difference against Palace.

That could prompt Adama to eye an exit ahead of the summer, as his game time is unlikely to improve in East London.