Nuno Espirito Santo has been putting what remains of his West Ham squad through their paces during the international break and it makes for fascinating viewing.
The Premier League season is once again punctuated before it can really get going by the last international break of the year.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has seen his squad trimmed down by stars jetting off to accept call-ups for their national teams.
Nine senior West Ham players are away representing their respective nations including the likes of captain Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The international break was probably the last thing West Ham needed after back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Burnley.
Five fascinating things spotted in West Ham training
When they return next week ahead of the trip to Bournemouth, West Ham will then have a run of over 20 matches through to March in which they will be looking to secure Premier League survival.
So this will be the last chance Nuno gets to work with the majority of his squad uninterrupted by matches or internationals for four months.
What goes on at the training ground over this two-week period could be vital to Nuno putting the building blocks in place for the Hammers to rise up the table and away from danger.
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The club have released behind-the-scenes footage from training which offers a fascinating insight into what the manager has been doing with the squad.
Here are five fascinating things spotted in West Ham training as Nuno blasts Crysencio Summerville.
West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo during the match with Newcastle United
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images
Humble Nuno’s aura clear in West Ham training
One thing that comes across loud and clear once again is the aura Nuno has around the place.
It has been obvious from the start and one of the big reasons West Ham fans have taken to the Portuguese so quickly.
But he really is the polar opposite of Graham Potter in that he is commanding, authoritative and demands respect.
Nuno can be heard constantly delivering messages to the players and he does so in a stern way that suggests everyone knows who is in charge.
There is a humility to Nuno’s work too, though, which is exemplified by simple things such as carrying out the water bottles and equipment.
There are no airs and graces with the Hammers boss and it feels – and looks – like a really good fit all round.
There is one moment where Nuno’s mix of authority and likability is summed up in his directives to the players.
Ahead of a keep-ball, passing drill, Nuno tells his players: “Work hard, be competitive and enjoy it lads.”
Hammers outcast Guilherme must be deserving of a chance soon
Brazilian teenager Luis Guilherme is now playing under a third West Ham manager in 15 months.
They all have something in common, none of them seem to fancy or trust Guilherme.
After being signed by Tim Steidten for £20m from Palmeiras as an 18-year-old last summer, Guilherme barely kicked a ball for West Ham under Julen Lopetegui.
Potter gave him a few more cameos here and there, in which he often impressed, but Nuno has not used him either.
Guilherme has been limited to a solitary start and a dismal total of just 191 minutes of football in his 15 months at the club.
But he regularly impresses in behind-the-scenes footage from Rush Green.
And the latest video is no different as Guilherme shows his great skill and finishing in a series of drills and small-sided games. He comes across as a really positive, upbeat and likeable character too.
We can only hope the winger gets a chance or two under Nuno soon. On this evidence he certainly deserves one.
Nuno Espirito Santo talks to Crysencio Summerville during Arsenal v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
West Ham youngster looks ready but no sign of Potts
West Ham fans have been calling for young powerhouse midfielder Mohamadou Kante to be used in the first team.
The rising French star was signed for just £500k last summer and loaned back to Paris FC for the season.
But Kante has been making a huge impact at Under 21 level.
So much so Nuno has revealed Kante and four others have been elevated to train full-time with the first team having seen his contract improved and extended already.
Hammers sporting director Mark Noble has warned Kante and co not to start thinking they’ve made it after landing new contracts.
Watching the footage from West Ham training, though, Kante looks like he’s close to making it.
The tall, rangy midfielder stands out for his athleticism and looks ready for the Premier League based on how he handles himself in the session.
Nuno has a settled midfield at the moment with Mateus Fernandes, Paqueta and Freddie Potts working well in back-to-back wins.
Potts went off in the victory over Burnley after suffering a dead leg.
He was missing from training suggesting he is still feeling the effects of that knock and will be hoping to be back available by the time West Ham travel to Bournemouth.
Nuno blasts Summerville as standards set high at West Ham
During an intense, intentionally competitive keep-ball limited touch session, Nuno is on Summerville’s case.
The rapid Dutchman has been a shining light in the gloom for the Hammers since his return from injury.
Summerville was excellent against Newcastle and Burnley but needs to start producing a consistent level of assists and goals to be considered a top player.
Nuno knows that and knows how much talent the rapid Hammers winger possesses.
And that probably explains why he was pushing for more from Summerville during the session.
Nuno looks visibly frustrated with the winger and can clearly be heard bellowing at Summerville in a stern voice: “Let’s keep going Cry, get to the other side Cry let’s go!
“Cry! Go Cry! Cry don’t stop Cry come on!”
Magassa and Igor impress
Another two players who impressed were summer signings Soungoutou Magassa and Igor Julio.
Hammers fans have loved seeing snippets of Igor’s positivity around the team despite his lack of game time.
Many have been calling for the muscle-bound Brazilian to get more chances amid the struggles of Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo.
Igor shows he is good on the ball and is working hard to impress Nuno, who brought him on to help see out the game against Burnley.
Supporters have also been impressed by Magassa and many were disappointed to see him lose his place of late.
But if the Frenchman keeps performing like this in training he won’t be out of the side for long. He looks classy on the ball and even showed he has an eye for goal when the opportunity presents itself.