Uncertainty has shrouded both the present and the future for Lucas Paqueta and West Ham United this summer.
Lucas Paqueta is back with West Ham after a prolonged summer break due to his involvement in the Copa America with Brazil.
The Paq is back declared West Ham yesterday as the club’s £51m record signing met with his Hammers teammates at their Tampa training base in the US.
Paqueta was greeted by fellow Brazil-born star and close friend Emerson Palmieri.
The playmaker then met with West Ham’s new Brazilian teen sensation Luis Guilherme for the first time, sharing a nice exchange.
Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma and Maxwel Cornet were also seen embracing Paqueta.
Then it was time for new head coach Julen Lopetegui to meet the man whose genius slide rule pass helped secure West Ham’s first trophy in 43 years last summer.
Lopetegui, who can speak five languages, greeted Paqueta in his native Portuguese.
Paqueta returns to West Ham training amid uncertainty
The Spaniard has declared he will support Paqueta, saying West Ham are the star’s family.
That’s because ever since that fateful moment in Prague, things have been seriously tough for the midfield ace.
From a human perspective things clearly have not been easy for West Ham’s Brazilian magnifico over the last year.
Of course it remains to be seen whether this has all been self-inflicted.
If so then Paqueta will undoubtedly be seen differently as he likely serves a lifetime, worldwide football ban.
Accusations of spot-fixing, which Paqueta has always denied, put paid to what was reportedly his “dream” move to Man City last summer.
The FA then made turned those allegations into official charges at the end of last season – ensuring the wait goes on for Man City and Paqueta.
But Paqueta’s fate now rests in the hands of an independent three-person panel.
The Hammers do not know exactly when a decision will be handed down.
Speculation has been rife Paqueta could – and indeed wants – to return to Brazil with former club Flamengo.
There’s been rumours Saudi Arabia want to bring him there with speculation they operate outside the jurisdiction of the Paqueta panel.
The uncertainty over Paqueta’s future has left the club and player in a difficult position.
Premier League send directive to West Ham about Paqueta
There’s even been claim and counter claim about whether he will be able to feature next season and for how long.
But now the Premier League have sent an official directive to West Ham about Paqueta as the star returns.
The Premier League has given the green light for Lucas Paqueta to be registered and available for West Ham in the 2024-25 season, despite charges of illegal betting according to The Times.
West Ham have also included a brief statement on Paqueta’s availability within an article about his return to training.
“Paqueta, who spent time with friends and family during his three weeks off, will now start his own pre-season schedule ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League kick-off at home to Aston Villa on Saturday 17 August,” West Ham said.
A myth about certain clubs being able to somehow circumnavigate the rules should Paqueta be found guilty was addressed recently.
Whatever happens the reality now is that a move to Man City is unlikely to ever happen for Paqueta.
‘Dream’ over but a blessing in disguise for Hammers?
Speculation is rife Pep Guardiola will be leaving the champions at the end of next season coupled with the fact they face their own judgement day on those 115 charges.
The Hammers should not be forgotten in all of this, though. The club made Paqueta their £51m record signing and looked set for an £85m pay day when Man City came calling.
West Ham were also happy to sell to help fund Lopetegui and Tim Steidten’s rebuild.
He will now be available for West Ham for the foreseeable future, though.
So Lopetegui, who reportedly plans to use him in a more central role, will be hoping the situation proves to be a blessing in disguise.
Because there’s no doubting, on his day and with his head in the right place, Paqueta is one of the best around.
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