West Ham United have a big problem regarding Lucas Paqueta, ahead of our games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
Lucas Paqueta has been in really poor form for West Ham this season, but we all know just how vital he is to our team.
His struggles have hardly been surprising really, given the fact that he has been charged with four separate counts of potential betting breaches, and he faces a lifetime ban if found guilty.
Back in June, the former Lyon star opened up on the current situation he’s going through, when speaking to reporters at a press conference whilst away with the Brazil national team:
“This will be the first and only time I will speak about this matter. My lawyers have advised me not to comment on the matter.”
“What I can say is that I continue to do my best, cooperating. My lawyers defend me so that everything is clarified in the end.”
“The decision made me sad but we will do everything to change this decision and cooperate.”
It must be so hard for Paqueta to compartmentalise his off-field issues when he takes to the pitch for the Hammers.
And now something has just come up that really will impact him, and West Ham.
New Lucas Paqueta betting charge blow is terrible news
Paqueta has experienced a really challenging past year or so.
His head clearly hasn’t been in it for the Hammers this season, and he’s received huge criticism for his performances for Brazil as well.
However, things could be set to get even worse for the 27-year-old West Ham midfielder it seems.
CNN Brazil claim that The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) into the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting has sent a letter to the Brazil international, summoning him to testify in a hearing on October 30th.
It is suggested that Paqueta is ‘obliged’ to attend the hearing.
The hearing set for October 30th takes place right in between our games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest away.
The concern for me is not only that the outcome from the hearing may not be a positive one, but how will Paqueta be expected to play against Man United and Forest if he has to travel to Brazil in between those matches?
Paqueta problems a huge concern for West Ham
The reason why that is a particular concern is because the report from CNN doesn’t make it clear whether Paqueta has to travel to Brazil in person, or if he can appear at the hearing via video link.
If the Hammers are to enjoy a successful campaign, we will need Lucas Paqueta to be on his very best form between now and the end of the season.
Regarding that though, things really aren’t looking good right now for the 27-year-old or West Ham unfortunately.
It has been no surprise that the former Lyon star’s form has fallen off a cliff this season.
He has so much going on behind the scenes, that it must be almost impossible for him to concentrate on actually playing football.
Whilst nobody knows what the future holds for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, the outlook seems to be very bleak at the moment.
All we can hope for is that the outcome from the investigation into potential betting breaches is a good one for Paqueta.
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