Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Daniel Davis

Wed 11 March 2026 17:15, UK Updated Wed 11 March 2026 17:36, UK

Nuno Espirito Santo is playing with fire with his handling of Josh Ajala at West Ham United.

Ajala this month signed a new contract at the London Stadium until the summer of 2028, seemingly putting an end to speculation linking him with a move abroad.

Hammers supporters were rightly overjoyed with the news of his fresh terms, especially with the youngster having gained a reputation for being the academy’s crown jewel.

But for now, he remains locked out of the first-team despite impressing in the youth set-up, and this could reignite concerns over him leaving.

Why Josh Ajala should be trusted in the first-team

Ajala wants to force his way into Nuno’s plans after his new deal, and this patience may well give way to frustration over the coming weeks.

This is because he is continuing to score with deadly efficiency in the Premier League 2, showcasing the type of form that convinced clubs in Germany and France to move for him.

It is all the more bemusing considering that Nuno has handed debuts to Callum Marshall, Keiber Lamadrid, Mohamadou Kante and Ezra Mayers so far this campaign.

Ajala simply cannot be doing more to follow in their footsteps, with his appearance on the bench during the FA Cup win at Burton Albion his only glimpse behind the first-team curtain.

There was also no place for him in the squad for the penalty shootout victory against Brentford in the same competition, a bitter disappointment for the ace.

He has made 11 appearances in the Premier League 2 this season, scoring five goals and registering three assists, and also helped fire them to the National League Cup final.

A further two goals in the EFL Trophy prove he can handle pressure at a variety of levels and against a host of different opponents, but Nuno continues to overlook him.

Blessed with superb ball-carrying abilities, pace and trickery, he would bring dynamism and unpredictability to the Irons, which they have sorely lacked at times.

Ajala confident he can develop at West Ham

Luckily for Nuno, Ajala has shown no signs that he is itching for a move so soon after his new deal. Indeed, he believes E20 is the perfect place for him to continue his development.

Reflecting on his time so far at the club, he said, via West Ham‘s official website: “I think West Ham has been a really good place for my development over the last couple of years.

“I feel like I’ve been in good form for a lot of the time, scoring goals for both the Under-18s and Under-21s. I want to keep scoring goals for the youth teams.

Josh Ajala’s Premier League 2 stats this season:

• Appearances: 11
• Goals: 5
• Assists: 3

“Hopefully that will give me the chance to do so for the first team.”

These words, however, must also act as a warning. He is ready to make the step up into the senior squad, and must be given the opportunity to do so.

Anything less, and he could consider his future once again.