With Emerson Palmieri linked with Lazio and Lucas Paqueta’s entire footballing career in question, all four of the West Ham United players with a Brazilian connection head into the summer with their futures shrouded in uncertainty.
While Flamengo and Botafogo watch the Lucas Paqueta situation closely, West Ham United’s number ten is still awaiting the verdict of that long-running spot-fixing trial.
Former Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri could join Lazio. Thus, becoming only the 19th player ever to cross the Stadio Olimpico divide.
Luis Guilherme will not be joining Feyenoord – the Dutch giants ended their pursuit of the West Ham youngster due to Anis Hadj-Moussa’s stellar form since the turn of the year – but other offers may be considered for a teenager who struggled to make an impression during a quiet first season of Premier League football.
As for Luizao, the Hammers’ forgotten man is not ruling out a Brazil return two-and-a-half years after crossing the Atlantic.
The ex-Sao Paulo starlet has not made a senior appearance in a claret and blue shirt. And, speaking to UOL Esporte, Luizao admits his representatives are now pursuing either a temporary or a permanent departure over the summer.
Luizao explains why fellow Brazilian Luis Guilherme has struggled at West Ham United
West Ham invested nearly £30 million bringing Luis Guilherme and Luizao to London.
The former was considered a major coup when arriving nearly 12 months ago, while Luizao was snapped up under the noses of Portuguese giants FC Porto and Benfica.
Why, then, have both players struggled to make an impression in West Ham colours? Why, between them, have they started just one Premier League match?
Well, as Luizao himself explains, the stark difference in ‘intensity’ between Brazil’s Serie A and England’s top-flight should not be underestimated.
“It’s me, Paqueta, Luis Guilherme, and the Italian-Brazilian guy, Emerson,” Luizao says when discussing the London Stadium’s Samba connection.
“I don’t talk much with Emerson and stuff. We didn’t have much contact because we didn’t spend much time together, but I [still] had more contact with Emerson than the other two.
“With Luis Guilherme, he had only just arrived [before Luizao moved on loan to Polish outfit Pogon Szczecin in January].
“The intensity is totally different from what it is in Brazil. [English clubs] also play with a lot of risks, which are very difficult to happen in Brazil.”
Luizao highlights the defensive output expected of forward players on UK soil. Furthermore, the fierce drop in temperature is another factor which makes adapting to life this side of the Atlantic difficult for young footballers used to the sun and sand of Samba-land.
Luizao spoke out about the appointment of Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes’ replacement back in 2024 as well, highlighting the obstacles the former Real Madrid, Spain and Wolves boss placed in the pathway of West Ham’s fresh-faced talents.
Luizao thinks George Earthy could be a first-team player at West Ham
Luis Guilherme played only 39 minutes of Premier League football before Lopetegui was sacked in January. A belated first start came under his successor, after Luis Guilherme caught Graham Potter’s eye on the training pitch.
George Earthy is expected to get a chance under Potter too. The England Under-21 midfielder shone at Bristol City last season, winning their Young Player of the Year award.
As a result, Earthy has picked up a Young Player of the Year gong in two successive seasons now. The silky playmaker burst onto the scene at his parent club towards the back end of 2024/25 – scoring a maiden senior goal against Luton Town – but Lopetegui’s eventual arrival saw Earthy farmed out to Ashton Gate.
If Earthy and Guilherme could not force their way into Lopetegui’s thinking, what chance did Luizao realistically have?
“Unfortunately, I had some first-team coaches who didn’t like using youngsters,” says Luizao, a 23-year-old with only 18 league appearances under his belt.
“In the Premier League, there is this issue where clubs have a lot of money. They end up buying players who are a little more ready. I have players that I have played with there who are now on loan. Players who I believe could play in the [first] team.
“West Ham’s Young Player of the Year [George Earthy went] on loan to gain experience, because he didn’t have playing time in the first-team.”
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