West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has denied rumours that Lucas Perez refused to warm up against Everton.
Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day, via The London Evening Standard, Pellegrini cleared up some confusion.
West Ham beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park to claim their first points of the season.
But the occasion threatened to be dampened by news that Perez was unwilling to warm up and come on.
The Perez rumours
After Marko Arnautovic scored West Ham’s third goal, he needed to be subbed off.
It was initially thought that Perez would replace him in the centre-forward role. However, Michail Antonio was brought on instead.
At this point, the Sky Sports commentators reported that Perez had refused to warm up.
The Sky Sports cameras then showed Perez on the screen and he was having a heated discussion with a West Ham coach. The signs were looking ominous and this report appeared to be plausible.
Pellegrini clears the air
Speaking to the media after the game, Pellegrini confirmed that there was no argument or refusal from Perez.
The Chilean had wanted Perez to replace Arnautovic but because he had to make an immediate substitution, he had to change his mind.
Perez had not gone to warm up and Antonio was already warmed up and ready for action.
Pellegrini instead sent Perez back to the bench and introduced Antonio with Arnautovic limping off the field.
He said: I called Lucas [Perez] to get ready to play, but [Michail] Antonio was already ready so played as I needed to make the change. I don’t have any problem with the player.”
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