West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has wasted no time stamping his authority on the squad since replacing Graham Potter nearly two weeks ago, with several key decisions already defining his early reign.

Nuno sets out his West Ham vision

Following an impressive spell at Nottingham Forest last season, Nuno arrived at the London Stadium with the backing of vice-chairman Karren Brady and a three-year deal aimed at restoring stability and ambition to the club. His mission is clear: move the Hammers away from the lower reaches of the table and back toward European contention.

One of Nuno’s immediate focuses has been tightening a defence that has leaked far too many goals, particularly from set pieces. Of the 16 goals conceded in the Premier League this season, seven have come directly from corners — a statistic the Portuguese coach is determined to correct. Early signs of improvement have already been noted, suggesting his tactical adjustments are beginning to take effect.

Bold squad calls shake up the dressing room

In a decisive move that underlined his uncompromising approach, Nuno quickly dropped vice-captain James Ward-Prowse from the first-team picture. The decision came within hours of his first training session at Rush Green and made clear his intent to rebuild the midfield with players who suit his system.

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Ward-Prowse could be one of several players to depart in January as Nuno continues his assessment of the squad. “Ward-Prowse is one of them, as he could leave the club,” Romano revealed, adding that further decisions will follow once evaluations are complete.

Guido Rodríguez among uncertain futures

Another midfielder potentially on the chopping block is Guido Rodríguez. The Argentine World Cup winner, signed from Real Betis in 2024, has not played a minute under Nuno — featuring only as an unused substitute against Everton and Arsenal. Despite the club’s desire to sell, moving him on has proven difficult.

Insiders at Claret & Hugh report that Rodríguez turned down five offers over the summer, including one from Saudi Arabia that would have increased his wages by £30,000 per week. “He didn’t want to move,” an agent told the outlet, confirming the player’s preference to remain in London despite his uncertain role.

A club source further criticized West Ham’s transfer dealings, calling recruitment a “real mess” and highlighting their ongoing struggle to generate profits from player sales. “They’ll have to move players on, but you can’t force someone out if he doesn’t want to go,” the insider explained.

Since his arrival, Rodríguez has made 26 appearances for the Hammers but has long been linked with an exit — speculation that has only intensified under Nuno’s leadership. Signed on a free transfer, any eventual sale would represent pure profit, but for now, his situation reflects the broader challenges facing West Ham’s squad rebuild.

As Nuno continues to reshape the side in his image, more big names could find themselves sidelined, signalling the start of a decisive new era at the London Stadium.