The Lucas Paqueta era is over at West Ham United.
After 139 appearances and one historic trophy win, Paqueta is leaving West Ham for Flamengo.
The Brazilian was keen to return to Brazil and while West Ham initially looked to keep him, they eventually agreed a deal with the Rio de Janeiro giants.
Paqueta’s departure will likely divide opinion. Clearly a fine player on his day and someone capable of magic, consistency has always been an issue.
West Ham did all they could but Lucas Paqueta STILL wanted out! 😡
Do you respect his stance? Or do you feel let down? Hit the comments 👇
Indeed, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are arguably playing better without the 28-year-old in the side anyway.
Still, Paqueta’s departure is a big story, so Hammers News have looked at the winners and losers from the deal.
Winners
Crysencio Summerville
One of the biggest beneficiaries to a West Ham team without Paqueta is Crysencio Summerville.
The Dutchman has stepped up to lead the creative side of West Ham’s game in the Brazilian’s absence.
Summerville, who had only ever scored one goal for West Ham until earlier this month, is now up to three goals and two assists in his last four games.
When West Ham needed someone to step up and lead them, Summerville did exactly that.
How will you remember Lucas Paqueta? 🤔
Mateus Fernandes
Mateus Fernandes is another who has risen to the occasion of late.
With Paqueta not in the side, the former Southampton midfielder has partnered Tomas Soucek in the middle of the park.
They have brought stability, while Fernandes has flourished.
Fernandes was brilliant for West Ham against Sunderland, while Soucek was equally as important in a perhaps less eye-catching way.
If Paqueta had been playing, who knows how Nuno would have set up?
West Ham United fans
West Ham fans believe Paqueta should have been sold, with the constant speculation over his future hardly a good thing for the club in the midst of a relegation battle.
Paqueta has let supporters down given the manner of his departure.
However, it is now far better to have clarity on the situation. Fans will no longer be dragged through what was becoming a rather ugly saga.
It’s far better to move on, so supporters can continue to get behind the team for the battles ahead.
Loser
Nuno Espirito Santo
West Ham confirmed in their statement that head coach Nuno wanted to keep Paqueta at the club.
With that in mind, reluctantly watching him go with only a few days left in the window cannot have been easy.
It has not been an easy situation for Nuno, who has constantly been asked questions about what should be his star player during what has actually been a pretty positive few weeks for the club.
However one feels about Paqueta, Nuno has lost a talented player – seemingly against his wishes.
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