West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has made it clear that Callum Wilson still has a future at the club despite being left on the bench for the first three matches of his tenure.

Wilson is the only fit senior striker in the squad, with Niclas Fullkrug currently on the treatment table, but he has yet to get a single minute of game time under Nuno.

Some have suggested that the inclusion of high appearance fees in Wilson’s contract may have affected his chances of playing, but when asked whether money is a factor, Nuno was adamant that it hadn’t crossed his mind:

“Oh, please. Come on, eh? Come on. I don’t even know that. You think I’m this kind of person? Do I think that? No. Maybe if you knew me better, maybe we don’t have to speak about that.”

“It’s nothing more than a decision. There’s nothing there. This speculation doesn’t help. You think I think about all these aspects when I have to make a decision to help the team? I don’t know.”

“I’ve been here three games. There’s a future for him. There’s a future for everybody. Especially when you are in such a tough situation. We need all of them.”

Wilson should be in contention to face Leeds

If the former Newcastle forward is overlooked again when the Hammers travel to Elland Road on Friday evening, some will start to question Nuno’s remarks.

Even though Wilson is in the latter stages of his career, he can still do a job for the team. If Lucas Paqueta starts as a false nine once again, or teenager Callum Marshall is given the nod instead, you would have to wonder whether something else is going on beneath the surface.

West Ham are set to target a new striker in January

Even if Wilson is used by Nuno on a more regular basis between now and the New Year, he is not the long-term solution.

It is believed that the Irons’ head coach has already made it clear to the board that he needs a new No. 9. Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee appears to be the top target at the moment.

Read more about the West Ham First Team Squad for 2025/26 here