New West Ham signing Adama Traore's habit of applying baby oil to his arms before matches could prove crucial in the club's fight against relegation, according to manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The winger is set to make his debut at Chelsea on Saturday after joining from Fulham this week.
Nuno, who bought Traore for Wolves in 2018, witnessed the pre-match routine first hand. The ritual began after the player dislocated his shoulder four times, but it also stops defenders from getting a firm grip on one of the Premier League's fastest players.
"He does it to stop people from holding him. It makes sense, it makes sense," said Nuno. "I think it came from an injury that he had, someone who held him really bad. I'm not quite sure, but I think it came from a physio, and it made a lot of sense."
West Ham are 18th in the table, five points from safety, despite winning their last two league games. Asked if the club would order extra baby oil for other players, the Irons boss smiled: "Yeah, if that stops people from holding, maybe we have to give some to Jarrod and to Crysencio!"
Traore, 30, made just two Premier League starts for Fulham this season and arrives as the club's fourth signing of the January window. Nuno believes his former charge brings a unique threat: "He's unique - there aren't many players with his ability one-on-one, or with his pace. He possesses great threat, and he has great energy, not only on the pitch, but in the dressing room and at the training ground too."
The manager also hopes Traore will free up Jarrod Bowen, who has ambitions of making England's World Cup squad. "The work that he's putting in every minute of the game is extraordinary," said Nuno of Bowen. "He has his personal objective, to go to the World Cup, which I think should and must happen because he's a fantastic player. I think Thomas cannot afford not to have him around."
