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Lucas Paqueta has come beneath hearth as West Ham’s struggles within the Premier League worsened with a 5-2 defeat to Arsenal on the London Stadium, a efficiency that underscored the crew’s ongoing challenges.
Sitting 14th within the desk with simply 15 factors from 13 video games, the Hammers discover themselves uncomfortably near the relegation zone, a stark distinction to their ambitions of competing for European locations.
Alan Pardew thinks Lucas Paqueta is a legal responsibility at West Ham
One participant going through mounting criticism is Brazilian attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta, whose performances this season have fallen in need of expectations.
Former West Ham supervisor Alan Pardew weighed in on his contributions, elevating considerations about his defensive impression on the crew.
Pardew highlighted the Brazilian’s plain technical brilliance however identified that his lack of defensive effort has sometimes rendered him a legal responsibility.
The pundit prompt that West Ham’s already weak backline, which struggles with tempo and construction, is additional uncovered by Paqueta’s shortcomings off the ball.
Talking on TalkSport, Pardew stated:
“He’s virtually like a legal responsibility at occasions while you haven’t acquired the ball. He has acquired unbelievable high quality, and if I used to be at West Ham, I might play him. However I will surely have a look at my again 4 and search for a bit extra tempo, slightly bit extra group. As a result of if you’re asking me what their downside is, it’s defending.”
Lucas Paqueta may by no means play for West Ham once more. (Photograph by Marc Atkins/Getty Photographs)
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Since becoming a member of the Hammers in August 2022, Paqueta rapidly established himself as a fan favorite with moments of brilliance, contributing 15 objectives and 14 assists in 99 appearances. His standout second got here within the 2023 UEFA Europa Convention League remaining, the place his help for Jarrod Bowen’s late winner secured West Ham’s first main European trophy in a long time.
Nevertheless, with the crew now struggling domestically, Paqueta’s type and dedication are beneath intense scrutiny, including to the mounting stress on Lopetegui to regular the ship.
The latest off-the-field issues could also be one of many elements impacting his on area performances. The 27-year-old is embroiled in a large betting scandal, with the FA reportedly investigating 4 cases the place he could have picked up bookings to control the market. If discovered responsible, he could probably by no means play soccer once more.
Amid the pending prices, his future on the membership stays unsure regardless, with the participant already linked with a transfer away from England.
It stays to be seen whether or not the midfielder rediscovers his finest type amid the present circumstances, or if his tenure on the membership can be outlined by unfulfilled potential and controversy.
