---
title: "Nuno Espírito Santo reveals inside track on West Ham changes"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/10/13/nuno-west-ham-inside-track-changes-walker-peters/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Graeme Hanna"
section: "News"
published: "2026-10-13T21:47:39Z"
modified: "2026-10-13T21:47:39Z"
---

# Nuno Espírito Santo reveals inside track on West Ham changes

**West Ham United head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has addressed the difficult conversations he has had with full-back Kyle Walker-Peters after withdrawing him at half-time in consecutive matches.**

The 29-year-old was substituted during the interval in both the recent defeat at Millwall, when the Hammers trailed 2-0, and Friday’s 1-1 home draw with Queens Park Rangers, in which they went in 1-0 down.

The slow starts have prompted tactical adjustments from the Portuguese coach, with Kyle Walker-Peters the player most affected by the changes.

Speaking [ahead of Wednesday’s Championship trip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ihryHuop8o) to Lincoln City, Nuno admitted the situation was not easy.

“It was tough. I spoke to Kyle, and it’s not easy to take out the same player in different games.

“The intention was to change the shape. Kyle is a top professional, and he understood,” said the boss, who also addressed Edson Álvarez .

The decisions have inevitably fuelled speculation about Walker-Peters’ long-term future at the London Stadium following the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League.

However, Nuno insisted there are no underlying problems between the pair.

The club underwent significant squad turnover in the summer, with players including Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Füllkrug departing.

["We Need To Start Building Momentum" | Nuno Espírito Santo Press Conference (embedded)](https://www.youtube.com/embed/1ihryHuop8o?feature=oembed)

## Nuno provides diplomatic response on Alvarez

One high-profile remaining figure is midfielder Edson Álvarez, who stayed despite interest from European clubs.

The Mexican international has yet to feature in a Championship match this season, his only appearance coming in the Carabao Cup against Portsmouth, after West Ham signed Arne Engels from Celtic for a club-record fee.

Nuno maintained that Álvarez remains in his plans.

“All the players are working. It’s up to us to make decisions.

“Not all the players have played yet, but the chances will come. All of the players in the building are part of our plans,” he added.

The comments underline Nuno Espirito Santo’s willingness to make bold selections as he seeks to improve West Ham’s start to the league campaign and galvanise their promotion push.

In other West Ham news, [Tomas Soucek described](https://readwestham.com/2026/10/13/tomas-soucek-west-ham-perfect-match-new-contract/) his relationship with the club as the “perfect match” after extending his stay in East London to 2028.