The outcome of Graham Potter’s emergency talks with West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has become clear in the wake of the disastrous opening day defeat at Sunderland.
After a disastrous opening weekend to forget in the midst of a frustrating and underwhelming transfer window, West Ham are in desperate need of some good news.
It’s hard to contextualise what feels worse for the Hammers right now.
Losing 3-0 to a newly-promoted Sunderland team West Ham are expected to be competing against to avoid relegation.
Or the fact the club has signed just four players this summer – only two of whom are for the starting XI.
Romano’s Paqueta revelation rocked Hammers on eve of opener
The lack of pace, power and dynamism in West Ham’s team has been a glaring issue for the best part of two years. Even with Mohammed Kudus in the side.
Now he has been sold – without yet being replaced – the Irons look old and rusty.
With Chelsea up next and a string of difficult-looking fixtures after that too, it is no wonder fans are concerned.
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The last thing Graham Potter and the club needed the night before the opening game of the season was a revelation from the world’s top transfer reporter that Lucas Paqueta wanted out of West Ham.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta arrives for a game
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
After standing by the Brazilian during his two-year spot-fixing saga, the hope was Paqueta would stay at West Ham and finally get back to his best with a clear mind.
Newcastle and Man City have been linked with Paqueta again since he was cleared.
That gave rise to concerns the Hammers may cash in, depleting the quality available to Potter even further.
Supporters were furious when transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano revealed Paqueta wanted a fresh challenge on the eve of the clash with Sunderland.
Outcome of emergency Potter and Paqueta talks becomes clear
Paqueta went on to put in a poor performance at the Stadium of Light, something West Ham have seen all too often in the last two seasons.
Even so, without him the Hammers would have even less hope of avoiding the drop.
Romano back-pedalled somewhat on Sunday morning when he said Potter has held emergency talks with the club’s owners and Paqueta himself to make it clear he wants him to stay.
Now the outcome of those emergency talks between Potter and Paqueta has become clear – thanks to the Brazilian magnifico himself.
And it appears to have done the trick.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta in action during the pre-season tour of America
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Paqueta commits future to West Ham after Sunderland shambles
Paqueta has taken to Instagram, posting a picture of the West Ham team lining up for a photo.
And he used the caption to dismiss talk he wants to leave – pledging to help the Hammers turn things around after a bad start.
“Together as a team, it’s just the beginning,” Paqueta said.
“And I know we’re going to have a great season.”
He may not be playing like the Paqueta who can be a game-changer for West Ham right now, but this is a huge boost for the club.
Even if the Hammers sold Paqueta for a decent fee, at this stage of the window you would have to question whether West Ham would be able to use the money to get quality players in the door.
It is great to see the 27-year-old committing to the Hammers and rightly so after the way the club, staff, his teammates and fans stuck by him.
Some top pundits think West Ham are doomed to the drop this season.
Jamie Carragher says the Hammers will be relegated.
The performance at Sunderland suggests he may well be proved right come what May, unless drastic action is taken in the last two weeks of the transfer window.
West Ham have “launched” a £125m triple transfer raid after their shambolic start.
But keeping Paqueta and getting him back to his very best again could prove to be the best bit of business Potter does all summer.