Lucas Paqueta’s immediate future at West Ham United is one of the major talking points right now.
As if West Ham United weren’t dealing with enough problems, Paqueta is looking to leave the club during the January transfer window.
Indeed, Paqueta is keen to leave West Ham amid interest from Flamengo.
The Brazilian is certainly a divisive figure. While clearly a talent and a player capable of match-winning moments on his day, for all the talk of that quality, Hammers fans have not seen it often enough.
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Though the 28-year-old will always have a place in the club’s folklore for that through ball played to Jarrod Bowen in the Conference League final, the idea that he is a genuine-difference maker does fall somewhat flat.
It’s equally easy to see why some fans would want to keep him and while others may want him sold.
Pundit Darren Bent certainly falls into the latter category.
Darren Bent tells West Ham to sell Lucas Paqueta
Bent was asked about the Paqueta situation on talkSPORT.
The former England striker did concede that a player of Paqueta’s quality would be helpful in a relegation battle, though still came down on the side of selling him.
Bent is of the belief that once a player wants to leave, there’s next to no point in trying to keep them at the club.
“I would rather someone with less ability in my team that I know wants to be there, that’s going to give 100% than someone I know can be a 9/10 but most of this season has been a 4/10,” he said.
Asked about Paqueta’s celebration against Nottingham Forest in which he appeared to confirm his commitment to the club, Bent said: “It’s embarrassing.”
Pressed further on that matter, Bent added: “This is where West Ham need him the most and he’s decided to take this opportunity to go ‘Nah, this ain’t for me’.
Lucas Paqueta ‘wants to leave West Ham’ in the midst of a relegation battle – what’s your reaction?!
What was the point in this then? 🤔
The last time Lucas Paqueta actually won a game for West Ham United
Paqueta had planned to leave West Ham in the summer of 2026 but by seemingly pushing to leave before then, he risks invoking the ire of supporters.
Perhaps one of the more irritating things said about Paqueta from those outside the West Ham bubble is that he’s the club’s best player. This magical maverick who has changed so many games.
If he’s on song, perhaps there’s an argument for that. Still, that is to overlook his many passenger-like performances at times.
In fact, the last time Paqueta actually won a game for West Ham was when he scored against Fulham in January 2024.
He’s not scored a game-winning goal since and while he has made contributions, it’s hardly been the stuff of a player head and shoulders above the rest.
While West Ham are certainly within their rights to demand a big price, it’s not as if there’s currently much proof that they’d be much worse without him for the battles to come.
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