Lucas Paqueta has made it clear what West Ham fans are doing for him isn’t going unnoticed as the boy from Brazil issues heartfelt thanks.
If this is Paqueta starting slow, then God help opposition defences when West Ham’s record signing really hits top gear.
Paqueta is growing into this Hammers team with every passing game and two sublime and remarkably similar assists in back-to-back wins have West Ham fans salivating.
The Brazilian midfielder’s delicate chipped throughballs – passes perhaps no other West Ham player would see – to Gianluca Scamacca have resulted in crucial match-defining goals in wins over Anderlecht and Fulham.
This is the quality you pay the big bucks for. These are the players who can make a difference with moments of sheer class in matches.
West Ham fans love a flair player.
But Paqueta has already shown he is so much more than that. He gets stuck in and grafts for the team and he is brave – always looking to get on the ball even in tight situations, even if he has just given it away.
And that – as Craig Bellamy so brilliantly highlighted last week – is the true West Ham way. Being brave and wanting the ball when things aren’t always going your way or the going gets tough.
David Moyes has said on several occasions Paqueta is taking time to adjust to life in England and the speed of the game.
West Ham fans recognise a proper player when they see one.
And they are already ‘having’ Paqueta big time as Bellamy put it last week.
Paqueta has yet to taste a full 90 minutes in a West Ham shirt but is growing visibly stronger and lasting longer in each game.
He has been greeted with rapturous applause everytime he takes to or leaves the pitch.
And now Paqueta has made it clear what West Ham fans are doing for him isn’t going unnoticed as the boy from Brazil issues a heartfelt thanks.
“I’m happy with my performance and my assist,” Paqueta told The Athletic after his ovation on being subbed in the 3-1 win over Fulham.
“I’m feeling more comfortable and understanding my team-mates more. I believe I can only get better.
“I was really pleased with the recognition, the support and the confidence the fans have in me. I hope that I paid it back on the pitch.”
Having the backing of the West Ham fans after his reported £51m move from Lyon clearly means the world to Paqueta.
Speaking not long after he signed, the midfield ace revealed that West Ham fans made his mum and girlfriend cry and he vowed to pay them back.
He has already started doing just that and it is clear there is so much more to come.
Exciting times indeed.
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