Luis Guilherme has a long, long way to go before he can claim to be just as integral to the West Ham United cause as Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen.
And, just to make life even harder for the Brazilian whizzkid, he now has a revitalised Crysencio Summerville to contend with.
On his first appearance in eight months, Summerville tore Nuno’s Nottingham Forest side apart in a thrilling cameo display at the end of August. Some six weeks or so later, Nuno Espirito Santo now has the benefit of being able to call the former Leeds talisman one of the most potent weapons in his own attacking arsenal.
During the first two West Ham United matches of the post-Graham Potter era, Nuno has fielded Summerville wide on the left, Jarrod Bowen on the right, and Lucas Paqueta through the middle.
Luis Guilherme, meanwhile, has only played 54 minutes across a trio of appearances.
Yet, speaking on the official Premier League YouTube channel, Summerville insists that no one should be sleeping on the talent of a 19-year-old Brazilian who still hopes to bring Jogo Bonito to East London.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesCrysencio Summerville labels Luis Guilherme one of West Ham United’s most skilful stars
Ahead of the launch of EA Sports FC 26 video game, Summerville was asked to select the players with the highest skill rating at West Ham.
“I will say Lucas Paqueta, I will back myself, [and] Jarrod,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, Luis is there as well!”
Imagine his disappointment, then, it was revealed to a flabbergasted Summerville that he actually falls behind Paqueta, Bowen and the twinkle-toed teenager he is currently keeping out of Nuno’s starting XI.
“No way!” Summerville said with a laugh, given a ‘three star skill move’ rating in comparison to Guilherme’s four.
“That’s crazy! I think I have to do more skills in the games, then! Don’t worry, the next game [against Brentford on October 20th], I will show you some.
“Luis is really skilful. Jarrod as well and Lucas. But I will back myself, I’m there [among them].
“I’m more like a street footballer. I like to come inside and [perform a] ‘fake shot’. I think it’s very important because, from what I have seen, not a lot of English players come from the streets. They are more physical and stuff.
“But we started in the streets, Lucas, me and Luis. If you bring that to the game, you bring a different fight.”
Nuno keeping the positives and trusting in youth at West Ham
Of Guilherme’s three appearances this term, one came under Nuno. He played the final 13 minutes of that 1-1 draw at Everton on a night when Summerville and Bowen brought their ‘magic’ to proceedings.
The £25 million signing from Palmeiras will have been pleased to hear Nuno put his faith in the brightest young talent at Rush Green, meanwhile, shortly after taking over from a manager who afforded little opportunities to the likes of Freddie Potts and Callum Marshall.
Actions speak louder than words, of course. And Nuno proved that what he says he means, when Marshall made his Premier League debut at Arsenal before the October international break.
After that eventual 2-0 defeat, Summerville revealed that Nuno is staying positive despite picking up just one point from his first two games in charge. Albeit two very difficult games.
“I think we did quite good in first half,” Summerville told BBC Sport. “We slowed [Arsenal] down sometimes but a team like this it’s always difficult.
“I think, in the second half, they went over us and it was difficult to slow them down sometimes. We have to take the positives and go again after the break.
“[Nuno] said, like, we have to take the positives. We knew it would be difficult and we have work to do after the international break.”