West Ham is a strange old place to be this season for the manager, fans and players alike and last night it got a little more peculiar.
It’s futile pretending everything has been rosy in the West Ham garden under Julen Lopetegui.
The evidence has been there for all to see that it hasn’t been.
Lopetegui has had bust-ups with star players including Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez, Guido Rodriguez and, most recently, Jean-Clair Todibo.
That’s not to say it’s all the manager’s fault of course.
If reports about Todibo’s conduct during a heated exchange at half-time against Arsenal are true then the player sounds like he was very much in the wrong.
A top-level Hammers club source recently claimed fans have been lied to about Hammers chaos behind the scenes.
The Athletic’s West Ham reporter Roshane Thomas has also claimed “mind-blowing stuff” has been going on in the dressing room and training ground.
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Thomas claimed all will be revealed if and when Lopetegui departs, adding “the gloves will be off”.
A mutiny was building at the club after the Leicester defeat, before Michail Antonio’s car crash dampened that noise.
Just a few days later, though, it reignited with claims that Todibo, Kudus, Alvarez, Niclas Fullkrug and Rodriguez are all demanding to leave in January if Lopetegui stays.
West Ham’s owners have reportedly ordered Lopetegui to fix the dressing room issues or pay the price.
Tomas Soucek and Lukasz Fabianski were the latest Hammers stars to acknowledge issues with egos in the dressing room when speaking ahead of Bournemouth.
Out of nowhere Lucas Paqueta was suddenly linked with a return to Brazil again in the forthcoming January window.
Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United shoots and misses during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United FC at Vitality Stadi...
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Lopetegui tenure dogged by West Ham unrest
Alan Nixon claims Botafogo and Flamengo want the Hammers midfielder.
A loan with obligation deal has been mooted based on the outcome of the hearing against Paqueta in March.
Paqueta has been dropped of late due to his poor form. He’s been playing rather half-heartedly and deserved to come out of the side.
He was expected to be on the bench again at Bournemouth.
Then, just hours before kick-off Paqueta posted lyrics to a song which implied he wanted to ‘go home’.
The wording and timing of the post, against the backdrop of rumours of a return to Brazil, seemed more than a coincidence.
Particularly as it was his first post on X for over three weeks.
Surprisingly, the 27-year-old actually started the game at the Vitality.
In truth he didn’t play all that well. So much so many fans were demanding he be subbed.
There were further signs of unrest when both Kudus and Alvarez were seen reacting angrily towards Lopetegui for bringing them off.
With rumours swirling around Todibo’s latest absence from the squad, it was not a good look.
Then something unusual happened.
Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Julen Lopetegui, Manager of West Ham United during the Premier Leagu...
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Hammers star Paqueta explains himself after surprising actions
Paqueta scored West Ham’s rather fortunate penalty in the 87th minute and kissed the Hammers badge on his shirt.
He then sprinted 50 yards to the other side of the pitch to celebrate with his under pressure manager Lopetegui.
It was as lovely as it was confusing.
Do West Ham’s players like the manager or not?
The answer seems to be some do and some really don’t.
Why is Paqueta suddenly kissing the badge – he’s never done it previously.
Now Paqueta has explained himself after his surprising actions amid the West Ham unrest.
After the game, Paqueta took to social media again to double down on his celebration.
He posted a picture of himself kissing the West Ham badge alongside the words: “We deserved more, thank you for everyone’s support, focus on the next challenge!
“Glory and honour to Jesus, always!”
Then he went one further by giving a rare interview to West Ham’s media team.
In the interview with Rob Pritchard, the Brazilian magnifico made it clear he fully respects Lopetegui.
He was also at pains to point out he loves it at West Ham and wants to keep his place in the team.
One key line from the interview stands out in particular – he wants to work together with the manager.
“I am like this (emotional in celebrating),” Paqueta explained.
“I love to play here with West Ham, I love the strengths (of the team) and I try to move and to improve, and with the coach we have the same way and work together.
“For me it’s very important to play.
“I like to play every day, every week, then I’m happy and I try to improve and now I’ll focus on the next game.”
A happy Paqueta can only be a good thing for the Hammers.
Because on his day he is one of the best players in the Premier League.
Those days have been too few and far between in 2024.
Let’s hope this is the start of a big change moving into 2025.
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