Many West Ham United fans won’t be happy with something Hammers boss David Moyes has said after signing Lucas Paqueta.
West Ham fans everywhere would have woken up this morning in a great mood and pinching themselves to make sure they were not dreaming.
Yes the Hammers really did complete the signing of Brazil star Paqueta last night.
It is now official and West Ham have pulled off one of the most ambitious transfers for years with the arrival of Paqueta from Lyon on a five-year deal – with the option for a further year.
Paqueta impressed Moyes and West Ham’s players after facing the Hammers with Lyon in last season’s Europa League quarter-final.
West Ham won that particular battle 4-1 on aggregate. And now they have lured him to the London Stadium in what is the most exciting capture since the arrival of Dimitri Payet in 2015.
In his first words on signing for the club, Paqueta says he is very happy to be part of West Ham.
But some of the first words from West Ham’s manager on his new signing have left some supporters rolling their eyes.
Many West Ham fans won’t be happy with something Moyes has said after signing Paqueta.
After two-and-a-half years of unprecedented growth on the pitch, one would think Moyes has earned the full unreserved trust of the fans.
In most respects he has of course.
But some fans do get frustrated with the Scot’s approach to integrating new signings.
The experienced Hammers boss prefers to drip-feed signings into the team over the course of weeks and even months. Especially if they have arrived at West Ham from other countries or leagues.
Moyes had a reputation for a similar methodology at Everton.
Football fans can be an impatient bunch at times. And there is an argument that some players, particularly top class Brazil internationals, are more than capable of adjusting if thrown straight in. Some even argue it is often better for players to be introduced quickly to enable them to get up to speed.
With all the excitement and goodwill surrounding some of West Ham’s brilliant signings this summer, fans want to see that enthusiasm carried into the team with the new arrivals giving the side a lift by getting involved from the off.
But once again – to the frustration of many West Ham fans judging by some of the reaction and comments on social media and fan forums – Moyes has insisted Paqueta will need time.
“I’m delighted to welcome Lucas to West Ham, he’s a player I’ve admired from afar for a very long time and of course, we saw him close up in our Europa League campaign last season,” Moyes told whufc.com.
“He’s a very talented footballer and whilst he will need time to adapt to the Premier League, we’re excited about adding another proven international to our squad.”
The “needs time to adapt” caveat has been picked up by a number of supporters who have voiced their frustration.
Some have quipped Paqueta will be in line to make his debut by Christmas!
But in Moyes we trust and once Paqueta has his work permit and registration sorted, his class and quality will surely see him force his way into a West Ham team sorely in need of more attacking guile and craft.
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