Julen Lopetegui could have completely changed the narrative this season, had he made one very simple decision regarding Lucas Paqueta.
West Ham have really struggled this season with Julen Lopetegui at the helm, and Lucas Paqueta‘s form has been a major problem for us.
Paqueta has allegedly asked to leave the Hammers in the January window in order to return to his homeland, and that’s no surprise to me, given his off-field problems.
The Brazilian is still embroiled in a betting scandal, and apparently faces a lifetime ban if found guilty of the charges levelled against him.
Paqueta’s situation certainly hasn’t helped Lopetegui, who faces the sack, with Graham Potter said to be lined up to replace him.
Julen Lopetegui, Manager of West Ham United, gives instructions to Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ha...
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
However, the Spaniard hasn’t helped himself either, certainly when it comes to his usage of Paqueta.
And now it might be too late to make it right.
Lucas Paqueta change is the missing link for Julen Lopetegui
The Brazil international has been somewhat of an enigma since he moved to the London Stadium from Lyon for around £51 million in the summer of 2022.
There has been more bad than good from the South American, but we all know just how good he can be.
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His through-ball for Jarrod Bowen in the 2023 Europa Conference League final was probably worth the transfer fee we paid for him alone.
However, he has been a real liability at times for us as well due to his habit of losing the ball in key areas.
As much as we all criticised David Moyes for it at the time, there’s no doubt that Paqueta’s best football for us has been played when he’s started out wide on the left.
The Brazilian’s link-up play with his best mate Emerson Palmieri was exceptional to watch at times last season.
So the fact that Lopetegui hasn’t lent on that and used the 27-year-old on the left this season really does surprise me.
The Hammers head coach simply has to make that change now in order to save his job as far as I’m concerned.
West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta celebrates scoring his side's first goal with his manager Julen Lopetegui during the Premier League match between A...
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
However, it might be too late for Lopetegui.
Paqueta is banned for our clash with Southampton on Boxing Day.
Now, considering the fact that anything other than a win against the Saints could see Lopetegui lose his job, I can’t help but feel like the Spaniard has left it too late to make the change with Paqueta.
The former Wolves boss has missed an open goal so to speak, with his refusal to play the ex-Lyon star as an inverted left winger.
And now he may well end up paying the price.
Julen Lopetegui has been unable to get the best out of Lucas Paqueta, and now it could well be too late for him to change things.
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