West Ham United players have been working hard in training over the past few days as they prepare for their Monday night clash against Bournemouth on the south coast.
Julen Lopetegui could face dismissal if his side fails to secure a win, adding extra pressure to the encounter.
Bournemouth have been outstanding at times this season, posing a formidable challenge for the Hammers. Despite last week’s victory over Wolves, the mood at the London Stadium remains subdued.
However, the players have been in high spirits during training this week, showing determination ahead of the match.
West Ham will need to deliver their best performance to get a result, especially against a Cherries side that has already defeated Arsenal and Tottenham at home and earned a draw with Manchester City.
Perhaps it’s time for Lopetegui to take a bold approach with his starting lineup—what he’s tried so far clearly hasn’t worked.
Lopetegui and his staff oversaw an intense training session at Rush Green on Saturday morning, with the usual suspects front and center in the photos shared on the club’s website. However, one less familiar face also made an appearance—Luis Guilherme.
The young Brazilian, who joined West Ham from Palmeiras in the summer for around £25 million, has only seen 11 minutes of senior action, effectively costing the club over £2 million per minute on the pitch.
While Guilherme is unlikely to start against Bournemouth, he should be given a meaningful opportunity—perhaps 20 minutes or so—to showcase his talent.
The 18-year-old arrived at the club with a stellar reputation, with Tim Steidten making a strong push to secure his signature.
There’s clearly something special about Guilherme, and his unpredictability could be exactly what West Ham needs this season.
His participation in rigorous training suggests he might feature at some point during the match, offering him a chance to prove his worth and bring some much-needed creativity to the team. Isn’t it time for him to shine?
