Lucas Paqueta should be one of the first names on West Ham’s teamsheet but his star has faded to the point his place is in question.
There was more ignominy for West Ham star Lucas Paqueta and his Brazil teammates overnight.
Just hours after Brazil’s manager Dorival Junior declared they would be World Cup finalists in 2026, the Selecao lost 1-0 Paraguay.
It was Brazil’s first defeat to Paraguay for 16 years. But it follows an all too common trend for the football nation so often regarded and revered as the best in the world.
West Ham’s Brazilian playmaker Paqueta started the game but was substituted off with around 10 minutes to play.
It’s the latest in the hard luck story arc Paqueta is currently on with club and country.
And it remains to be seen whether some of that has been self-inflicted after he was officially charged over alleged involvement in illegal betting on yellow cards received while playing for West Ham.
West Ham star Paqueta’s new hard luck story
Paqueta vehemently denies the accusations. But the fate of Paqueta – and West Ham given he was an £85m asset – rests in the hands of a three-person panel with a decision likely to be made next year.
If found guilty Paqueta will likely be banned for the rest of his career. At which point West Ham would have the green light to sue the player should they wish.
But if cleared then there is a high chance the Hammers will sell him to the highest bidder at the first opportunity.
Paqueta is a superb player on his day. One of the best around.
But those days come around far too infrequently. Especially since the midway point of last season.
Paqueta being subbed in the latest Brazil embarrassment is no great surprise and he must earn his place at West Ham too.
Paqueta must start to earn West Ham place after embarrassment
There is a common misconception that Paqueta is revered in Brazil as a player. But one look at social media when Brazil play tells a completely different story.
Brazil are losing their fans with far too many poor results in recent years.
Many Hammers fans are fast losing patience with their “Brazilian Magnifico” too.
His performance against Man City was woeful, gifting the team he was meant to join two goals with lackadaisical passes at both ends of the pitch.
Paqueta is one of those players who doesn’t really suit modern football where everything revolves around statistics.
He prefers to try 10 passes in the hope one might create a goal rather than the easy five-yard ball like so many modern midfielders.
That should be admired.
But the 27-year-old has just nine goals and nine assists to his name in 62 Premier League appearances for West Ham.
That is nowhere near good enough for a player of his ability.
Lopetegui has options if Paqueta doesn’t improve
Paqueta has not been as effective for West Ham as he should be.
And as good as he can be, he should not be a guaranteed starter if his performances don’t improve.
For the first time in a long time, West Ham have options.
Mohammed Kudus is desperate to play in the middle and has started the season super sharp.
Crysencio Summerville has also looked good in cameos meaning Julen Lopetegui has options to move Kudus inside or to the right and Jarrod Bowen up front.
West Ham’s head coach also rather tellingly brought in Carlos Soler from PSG on deadline day.
An all-round midfielder of great quality, Soler will be expecting to play once fit and ready.
He would make a good partner for Paqueta in many ways. But with Guido Rodriguez starting so well and both Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek to consider too, Paqueta must be feeling the heat.
And if he isn’t then he should be.
Paqueta must start making a tangible difference to this West Ham team, chipping in with assists, goals and key passes.
If not then Lopetegui cannot be afraid to drop him to the bench.
Paqueta would be an expensive luxury on the sidelines given he’s the club’s highest paid player of all time on £150k per week.
But it has to be about what’s right for the team.
And right now he’s not getting it done and simply must improve to earn his place in the West Ham starting XI.
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