One West Ham United player has cemented himself as the dirtiest player in the Premier League heading into the second international break of the season.
West Ham have made a fine start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, and we’re currently sitting in seventh position in the table with a return of 14 points from eight games played so far.
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Hammers boss David Moyes will be absolutely delighted with the form of his team, both domestically and on the continent, and one player in particular has been really impressive.
Lucas Paqueta has reached a whole new level entirely this season, and seems to have taken on the role of the club’s talisman after Declan Rice left the London Stadium to join Arsenal.
The Brazilian’s impeccable ball control in tight areas is a sight to behold and he contributes in every single department of the pitch.
Nothing that Paqueta does surprises the West Ham fans anymore. However, there is something that he’s done this season that really will shock many…
West Ham have the dirtiest player in the Premier League this season
Paqueta sits at the top of the list in England’s top division for the most fouls committed this term with 18 (Premier League official website).
In addition to that, the Brazil international has picked up four yellow cards – the second most out of any player in the top flight (Premier League official website).
We all know just how much the 26-year-old offers us inside the final third, but he’s clearly up for the fight defensively as well.
An attacking midfielder to have made more fouls than anybody else in the Premier League this season is quite something.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never viewed Paqueta as a shrinking violet – he always puts in the hard yards and earns the right to play first and foremost.
However, it truly shocked me when I saw that the West Ham man has made more fouls than anyone else in the Premier League this season.
Maybe it’s something that Moyes will try to reign in. The fact that he has four bookings to his name already is somewhat of a concern.
He is just one booking away from receiving a suspension now, and that’s obviously not a good thing. The thing is, Paqueta’s aggression and competitiveness are part of what makes him such a good player. It’s just a balancing act though, and perhaps it’s something that the Brazilian needs to address.
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