West Ham United’s recent signing of 18-year-old Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras was part of a deliberate strategy to tap into the promising South American talent pool.
Inspired by the successful signings of players such as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo by major European clubs such as Real Madrid, West Ham secured the services of Guilherme on a five-year contract for €23 million at the beginning of june
However, recent reports indicate that Guilherme has yet to make a significant impact. According to the insights shared by Alex Crook on the Premier League All Access PodcastGuilherme’s training performances have been underwhelming, which could explain his limited playing time.
The right winger has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League so far, with a total of just 11 minutes on the pitch. For a player brought in with high expectations, his slow adjustment has raised some eyebrows.
Guilherme’s career began at Palmeiras, where he made his professional debut in April 2023 during a Copa do Brasil match. Known for its speed, marked a 36.4 km/h in the final of the 2022 Brazil Under-17 Cup, his potential is undeniable.
Luis Guilherme cannot be blamed alone
While questions have been raised about his underwhelming start at West Ham, it is important to note that this is Guilherme’s first season in European football.
Additionally, the entire West Ham squad has underperformed, currently sitting 14th in the Premier League with just 12 points from 11 games. Manager Julen Lopetegui, despite signing nine new players, has yet to find a way to improve the team’s form.
Criticizing Guilherme alone would be unfair, as the winger is still adjusting to a new league and environment. With time and support, he could still live up to the expectations that prompted West Ham to invest in him.
Jose Mourinho linked with West Ham job
Julen Lopetegui is under pressure after a poor start to the season, despite the club backing him in the summer.
Amid his uncertain future, Jose Mourinho has been linked with the job, although the club have rejected his appointment.
