How unusual: Premier League player banned by head coach from... weightlifting

A peculiar incident has recently taken place in the Premier League, where winger Adama Traore was ordered by head coach Nuno Espirito Santo… to avoid weight training at West Ham's training ground.

In the elite environment of professional football, where players constantly seek to improve their physical condition, a star being prohibited from lifting weights is truly a rare occurrence.

Traore is famously known for his bulging muscular physique, once described by Coach Nuno himself as "unbelievable." However, the Portuguese manager believes his 30-year-old pupil "already carries the necessary weight" and does not need to further increase muscle mass.

This decision came after a video posted on social media by teammate Crysencio Summerville showed Traore bench pressing up to 145kg at the Rush Green headquarters.

In the video, Summerville also teased his teammate by recalling Traore's previous statement that he "doesn't lift weights." The image of the Spanish winger lifting enormous weights quickly drew attention and appears to have partly prompted the coaching staff's intervention.

Speaking to the press ahead of the match against Fulham, Coach Nuno stated: "I have told him to stay away from the gym. His physique is genetic and has been maintained that way for a long time. Traore has enough weight already." Nevertheless, he clarified that the player is still allowed to perform injury prevention exercises, but not muscle‑building weightlifting.

Notably, Nuno previously worked with Traore while managing Wolverhampton, so he understands his pupil's physical condition and strengths very well. In his view, instead of adding muscle, Traore should focus on adapting to West Ham's playing style and tactical rhythm in the tense relegation battle.

Having joined the London club in January for a £2 million fee, Traore has only made four substitute appearances in the Premier League and one start in the FA Cup. Positional competition and tactical demands have limited his opportunities to showcase his abilities.

Despite this, Nuno still praised his pupil: "Traore is a unique type of player. There aren't many people in the world who possess his speed and one‑on‑one dribbling ability."