Nuno Espirito Santo has finally opened up on the real reason he has brutally turned his back on goalkeeper Alphonse Areola in favour of Mads Hermansen.
Many Hammers fans and observers were baffled by Nuno Espirito Santo’s decision to suddenly drop Alphonse Areola from the side of late.
Alongside the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Mateus Fernandes and the club’s centre-backs, the giant 6ft 5in French goalkeeper has been amongst West Ham’s most improved and consistent performers since the arrival of Nuno at the end of September.
In fact, Areola had been the standout performer in many matches before Summerville’s purple patch – winning the latest Premier League Save of the Month award, his second such honour.
Nuno’s Areola snub left many Hammers fans shocked
So it was something of a shock when Areola was suddenly dropped by Nuno in recent matches.
Especially given his replacement, Mads Hermansen, had not featured since making a horrendous start to his West Ham career after joining for £15m in the summer.
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Mads Hermansen of West Ham United celebrates after teammate Tomas Soucek (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England.
Areola is a quiet character and has maintained his professionalism.
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But Nuno’s decision has not gone down well with Areola’s wife who aimed a dig at the Hammers boss and fans after her husband won the save of the month award recently.
Alphonse Areola during West Ham United v Sunderland - Premier League
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Previously Nuno has played the situation regarding West Ham’s number one spot with a straight bat.
The Portuguese has just put it down to a straightforward selection choice, stating that Hermansen has been patient and that ‘all the players are needed’.
But now Nuno has finally admitted the real reason he has dropped West Ham star Areola.
The Hammers have only kept four clean sheets all season and Hermansen has been in goal for three of them with Areola between the sticks for the win over League One Burton in the FA Cup last weekend.
It had been suggested Hermansen’s superior communication was key to him regaining number one spot from Areola.
Nuno admits the real reason he dropped Areola
The decision from Nuno came after West Ham threw away a 2-0 half-time lead to lose 3-2 to Chelsea at the end of last month.
Areola received some criticism for lacking command of his area and backline after that game.
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Alphonse Areola of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at London Stadium on January 24, 2026 in London, England.
Hermansen has looked increasingly assured with each match since returning to the side and was faultless as West Ham kept a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth.
Now the truth behind the Dane winning back West Ham’s number one spot has been revealed by the manager.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo embraces goalkeeper Mads Hermansen after the draw with Bournemouth
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Hermansen superior to Areola on the ball says Nuno
When discussing the positive factor of the draw being another clean sheet, Nuno finally lifted the lid on the real reason for his big decision to drop Areola for Hermansen.
Speaking after the draw with Bournemouth, Nuno stated he feels Hermansen’s distribution and ability on the ball advancing out of his own area is superior to Areola, which helps with how he wants the team to play.
“Like I said, it’s (keeping clean sheets) not about our goalkeeper and back line, it starts with our striker,” Nuno told West Ham’s website.
“Mads gives us this option also to play from the back. I think the team is acknowledging and realising that we have an extra man that can help us.
“He’s doing well, he’s doing well, but our priority for our goalkeeper is that he does his job and once again, I think he did a good game.”
The former Brondby star has certainly started to win over Hammers fans after that woeful start to his career in east London.
Hermansen was West Ham’s joint second highest-rated player vs Bournemouth and his long throws to set up quick counter-attacks were also notable.
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