The mere sight of Lucas Paqueta returning to West Ham training of late has been a boost but now there’s some concerning news.
There’s nobody better than Lucas Paqueta according to the chant from West Ham fans.
Well that’s certainly been proven beyond doubt over the last couple of months.
Paqueta was last seen setting up Jarrod Bowen to take the lead within 10 minutes against Bristol City in the FA Cup in early January.
The Hammers lost him to a recurrence of an injury suffered in the warm-up in the win at Arsenal.
And he’s been missing ever since. West Ham have failed to win a single game without their Brazilian magnifico – in eight dismal attempts.
West Ham better with Paqueta
It had been claimed Paqueta – at a stretch – could be back in the Hammers side for Monday night’s crucial clash with Brentford.
Failing that, the report stated the club hope Everton away will be more realistic.
Well now Paqueta has been tipped for a sensational return but West Ham won’t be happy about it.
Since being accused of involvement in illegal betting surrounding yellow cards – which he vehemently denies – Paqueta has been exiled from the Brazil squad.
Brazil plan to call up Paqueta
Like West Ham, the Brazilian national team have fallen apart without the playmaker.
Now, according to Brazilian journalist Diogo Dantas of O Globo, Paqueta is set to be recalled to the national team setup for games against England and Spain next month.
“Back in training, Paqueta enters (Brazil manager Junior) Dorival’s radar during international observations and should return to the national team,” O Globo report.
While that is great news for the player, it will be the last thing West Ham want to hear.
The Hammers will have only just got their £150k per week star back after two months out and will no doubt be easing him back in.
A risk not worth taking
So to then wave him off to play even more games – and high-intensity matches against top opposition at that – would surely be a massive risk.
It will come just as West Ham’s fixture schedule has ramped up again after the two-legged Europa League last 16 clash.
And the club will obviously be hoping to have a two-legged quarter-final to come after that international break.
But the Hammers may be completely powerless to stop it.
Unless the West Ham medical team can persuade Brazil chiefs it’s not worth the gamble.
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