Credit: Imago/Getty Images

James Barker

Wed 8 April 2026 8:40, UK

Adama Traore was superb for West Ham United against Leeds in the FA Cup, and now Nuno Espirito Santo has to include him in his starting XI for the visit of Wolves.

Easter Sunday was an afternoon at the London Stadium that nobody of either a West Ham or Leeds persuasion will forget in a hurry.

An FA Cup quarter-final that had absolutely everything was eventually won by the Whites on penalties, after an inspired late comeback by the Hammers to sent the tie to extra-time.

So, whilst it ultimately ended in disappointment for the home side, it was also an evening that saw Traore’s coming-out party in a West Ham shirt.

The 30-year-old put in a man of the match performance against Leeds, after what has been a largely disappointing first few months as a Hammer since his winter arrival from Fulham.

Why Adama Traore has to start for West Ham vs Leeds

Traore can play a big part in West Ham’s relegation fight between now and the end of the season, which is something that few Irons supporters believed possible prior to the Leeds game.

Indeed, he’s still without a single goal contribution in seven Premier League appearances since making the switch to West Ham in the winter window, having gone 15 games without one for Fulham earlier this season either.

Blessed with pace to burn and the physical capability to win every individual battle, the earth trembles every time Traore picks up the ball and thunders down the pitch, laughing at players as he goes past them.

When he’s in full flow, it’s truly a sight to see, and provides an instant explanation as to why this is a player that aged just 17, came off the bench for his La Liga debut for Barcelona in 2013, replacing none other than Neymar.

Unfortunately, his inability to consistently produce the final ball and deliver an end product at the end of those trademark carries with the ball is why he’s still not turning out at the Camp Nou.

However, he looked every bit of being at that level against Leeds, and so not only does Nuno surely have to reward him with another start against Wolves on Friday, there’s extra motivation for Traore ahead of this one.

The Spaniard was with the Old Gold from 2018-2023, playing just shy of 200 games in all competitions for them, which even included time working under Nuno during his Molineux reign.

As such, he’s no doubt going to be fired up about the prospect of playing against one of his former employers, and that could also get that extra 10 per cent out of him in a must-win game for the Hammers.

Traore is perfect weapon to counter Wolves’ low-block

Under Rob Edwards, Wolves have been playing with three at the back, with wing-backs down either channel.

This has been fairly successful for them too, and to Edwards’ credit, he’s been able to take numerous scalps from some of the top teams in the Premier League by operating out of a low-block in defence, and transitioning with quick counter-attacks.

However, utilising wing-backs can also mean there’s plenty of space for opposition wingers on transitions too, especially when turning the ball over high up the pitch with those players committed to the attack.

So, as a wing-back, seeing a weapon like Traore on the pitch would always have you questioning and second-guessing whether to stay or go.

The perfect way to counter a low-block is to move the ball fast, and to get players running and driving at it, and that’s exactly what Traore is best at.