£51m man Lucas Paqueta, bought from Lyon in 2022 appeared to tick all the boxes when he first arrived. A flair player with tricks and flicks to die for - and the air of a man supremely confident in his own ability.
As fans, we loved him for it! Dare I say it – the perfect fit - a footballer playing what we love to call the West Ham Way. Just as we loved Manuel Lanzini in his heyday.
The Brazilian’s name was soon on the lips of Hammers’ fans singing their songs in praise: “Follow, follow, follow, our Brazilian Magnifico, coz there’s nobody better than Lucas Paqueta, and now he’s one of our own.” The chorus rang out from the terraces home and away.
Sadly now the touch which used to be arrogant but assured has long gone. The play-acting, always claimed to be a Latin trait we had to accept, has become frustrating and frankly embarrassing.
Referees have wised up to it – so have many of the West Ham faithful, and they’ve not been slow in airing their displeasure. That and the increasing frequency of Paqueta needlessly giving the ball away in dangerous areas has led to many now questioning his starting place in the side.
Obviously Paqueta is not the only under-performer this season, that’s for sure. But his high profile – and greater expectancy – make him a valid target. Should he be there, or is our present need more for a player with maybe less ‘touch’ but more tenacity? Someone prepared to roll-up their sleeves and do some dirty work?
No disrespect to Freddie Potts, but the suggestion he would be of more value to the team than Lucas Paqueta would have been laughed at not so long ago. But not now! There are plenty all too ready to make a strong case for playing ‘one of our own’.
Nuno Espirito Santohas some big calls to make in the coming weeks if he is to get us out of the mess we’ve created for ourselves. Dropping Lucas Paqueta could be one of them.
Delcan Rice once said of Paqueta: “He’s incredible, honestly, absolutely incredible. Some of the stuff he does in training, it’s just mind-boggling how good he is.” But that was then, when Rice was still captain of our team. Right now it’s a very different picture. A very different canvas Paqueta is playing on.
Clearly we shouldn’t forget the pressure Lucas has been under the last two years with regard to the betting accusations made against him. That is bound to have had an effect on him no matter how much he protested his innocence.
With the charges eventually dropped, it must be a massive weight off his mind. But now the time might be right for Paqueta to put all that behind him, leave these shores and look for a fresh start maybe back in his native Brazil.
There have been rumours of interest from Flamengo - recently knocked back by one of Sullivan’s stooges. But the rumours persist, despite that. Now the suggestion is there is a particular fee which ‘could’ test the board’s resolve. Sully speak for ‘show us the colour of the money and he’s yours’ maybe?
With the serious need for new arrivals in the January window, stand by for the next feed from the top. A claim we can’t buy until we sell first. Much the way it was with Mo Kudus in the summer if you recall. Paqueta’s departure could provide some much needed funding.
It was a delight watching Paqueta in full flight during those heady European days. He was a breath of fresh air and put a smile on so many faces. But nothing is forever – particularly in the world of football.
Yesterday’s hero can so quickly become today’s villain. Times changes quickly. Opinions change even quicker. It could be time to say “adios” to our Brazilian Magnifico.
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