As ‘irreplaceable’ as Lucas Paqueta may be, Nuno Espirito Santo will have to find a way to do just that as West Ham United take on Bournemouth. Whether the solution involves Luis Guilherme, though, only time will tell.
While Freddie Potts and Konstantinos Mavropanos are doubts ahead of Saturday’s 3pm kick-off on the South Coast – the former picked up a dead leg against Burnley and the latter is still recovering from a thigh injury – Lucas Paqueta has been officially ruled out through suspension.
The Brazilian picked up his fifth booking of the season in that 3-2 victory over Scott Parker’s outfit.
As a result, a man who has played the full 90 minutes in nine of West Ham United’s eleven Premier League matches will be absent from the starting XI for the first time in 2025/26.
Nuno Espirito Santo believes Lucas Paqueta is about as ‘irreplaceable’ as it gets. Mateus Fernandes may have something to say about that, though. Meanwhile, what Tomas Soucek lacks in guile and subtlety, he could make up for with trademark usual box-crashing brilliance.
The seldom-seen Luis Guilherme will hope to get a chance to impress as well, as a window of opportunity opens up for the teenager.
Nuno Espirito Santo opens up on West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta dilemma
Mateus Fernandes was ‘sensational’ against Burnley, driving forward at will from his number eight role. If he was to be pushed forward into the position usually occupied by Paqueta, that would presumably necessitate a return to the XI for Soungoutou Magassa or Andy Irving.
And that is presuming Potts passes a late fitness test.
Nuno insists that all the players in the squad remain ‘options’ for him. A James Ward-Prowse recall may not be completely out of the question, then.
And though The Standard report that Nuno will not throw George Earthy in at the deep end following the youngster’s recent injury issues, the reigning Bristol City Young Player of the Year may be better suited than most, from a stylistic perspective, to stepping into Paqueta’s shoes.
“[Paqueta is] irreplaceable, I would say. It is impossible to replace a player like Lucas,” Nuno said during his Thursday press conference, accepting that he has quite the dilemma ahead of him.
“We have to be aware of what he means for us, what he gives us, his talent. A fantastic player. Irreplaceable.
“[But] we have to find solutions. [There is] still the session tomorrow. We have Mateus coming back [from Portugal Under-21 duty] so tomorrow we will look at the boys and decide who is travelling and who is playing.”
Nuno suggests a chance is coming for Luis Guilherme
The West Ham fans have been clamouring for Luis Guilherme to step out of the shadows. The 19-year-old is frequently front and centre in those weekly videos from Rush Green, nutmegging Max Kilman and excelling in those quick-fire drills.
Guilherme has made only one cameo appearance since Nuno replaced Graham Potter in September. The £25 million signing from Palmeiras is, however, potentially one of the most flexible attacking options at the head coach’s disposal.
He played as an attacking midfielder back home in Brazil, as well as on either wing.
“All the players that are here, believe me, we are trying to be very honest with them. We are trying to improve them individually, and then the players should understand that chances will come,” Nuno said when asked specifically about Luis Guilherme.
“It is up to them to deliver, and the best way is to work hard in the training sessions. I can assure you that all the players are working hard. Then, it is the moment for a decision. All the players, Luis, Niclas [Fullkrug], all the players can be options for us, because it’s going to be necessary.
“We just have to look further ahead. We are going to be involved in a lot of games. It is the moment to start anticipating those levels of fitness, everything we can do because we are going to need them all.”
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