It feels like things are going from bad to worse for West Ham United this season.
For example, Nuno Espírito Santo appears unable to buy a win in the Premier League, and now there is talk of Lucas Paqueta leaving.
Losing the Brazilian in the winter window would be terrible for morale, even if he's not exactly been lighting it up over the last year or so.
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However, if he is to leave, there might be an internal solution Nuno can turn to.
Paqueta's record with and without David Moyes
Now, there is no denying the fact that Paqueta is an extraordinarily talented footballer who, on his day, can almost singlehandedly win games.
However, what is equally true is that over the last year or so, he's not been anywhere near his best.
In fact, from looking at the statistics, it would be fair to say he's not looked anywhere near his mercurial best since David Moyes left the club.
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The Scotsman signed the 28-year-old from Lyon in the summer of 2022.
In that first season under the Scotsman, Paqueta was able to rack up a brilliant tally of 12 goal involvements in 41 games, and even provided the assist for Jarrod Bowen's Conference League-winning goal.
The following year saw the dynamic game-changer reach his zenith in Calret and Blue, producing 15 goal involvements in just 43 appearances.
However, that summer saw Moyes depart the London Stadium, and since then, the output from his record signing at the club has not been good enough.
For example, across 36 appearances in 24/25, the Paquetá-born ace produced just five goal involvements, and so far this season, he's produced just three in ten appearances.
In short, Paqueta has been nowhere near as effective since Moyes left the club, so there is certainly an argument to be made that selling him might not be a total disaster, especially when there is a youngster in the squad who might be a perfect replacement.
Nuno's internal Paqueta replacement
Now, there is certainly an argument to be made that the best way to replace Paqueta, should he leave, is by signing someone.
While that might end up being what West Ham does, there is another option: to start giving Luis Guilherme more minutes in the ten position.
Yes, the young Brazilian might be seen as more of a winger, and a raw one at that, but he's no stranger to playing as an attacking midfielder, and is looked at as one of the more exciting youngsters in the league at the moment.
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For example, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described the teenager as a prospect who "still has the world at his feet" and a player who has "similarities to Kudus" in his style of play, specifically the positive ones.
According to Mattinson, the dynamic Brazilian is "a complete profile" blessed with "electric pace" and an "explosive first step" which enables him to "beat a player in a split second."
He's not just someone who relies on his physical traits, though, as the former Palmeiras gem has "a killer final ball" and "an awareness of space which helps him to break down teams by identifying and exploiting space in defences."
It's not just Mattinson who has high hopes, though.
For example, U23 scout Antonio Mango has stated that starting him in attacking midfield would "suit his profile brilliantly" and that he "just needs confidence and consistent game-time" to show the Irons faithful how good he could be.
Ultimately, Guilherme is still developing and will take some time to reach his peak, but if Paqueta is to leave this season, then the young Brazilian could be the perfect in-house replacement.