As chairman, board members, technical director and head coach all read their Sunday papers in the middle of this tiresome last international break of the year, all will be preoccupied with the same thoughts: How to turn around poor form – which has seen West Ham slump from a team just two years ago challenging for top-four places alongside the biggest Premier League clubs to a team currently in disarray languishing in 14th spot.
It can be no coincidence that West Ham United’s performance has slumped at the same time as that of their Brazilian midfielder and former talisman Lucas Paquetá. Described as ‘unbelievable‘ by team mate Tomas Soucek, Paquetá is now ordinary at best and considered a liability by some.
What was unthinkable in 2023 is now becoming reality as Paquetá didn’t make the starting line up for his country and Lopetegui left him out against Fulham. A run of four straight yellow cards in his four most recent games further underlines his struggles. Of course, the pending FA and Brazil investigations are front and centre of his mind right now, with the player due to appear at the Brazilian hearing next month.
West Ham have shown loyalty, standing by him during this hugely challenging time. The club are in a difficult situation themselves, apart from the enormous financial implications: On the pitch they are stuck with preparing for all eventualities and are rumoured to be searching for a replacement creative midfield playmaker in case the worst case ‘lifetime ban’ gets handed down by the FA.
Paquetá has always categorically denied the charges against him.
So, what if he is cleared?
Can he recover his form if the enquiry exonerates him? Roshane Thomas in the nytimes.com/athletic draws interesting parallels with the form of former Hammer Michael Carrick who suffered a huge drop in form himself:
“I returned to pre-season and just couldn’t shake the depression off, and 2009-10 was my worst season for United,” (Carrick wrote in his autobiography Michael Carrick: Between The Lines.) I’d lost that edge. I had a heavy head and a heavy heart, even my body felt heavier. I knew it was all in my head, but I felt that I couldn’t turn to anyone for help, I’m too stubborn. In 2010, that was the worst time.
A return of the ‘old’ Lucas Paquetá is certainly possible: Carrick did go on to the best part of his career after.
Roshane Thomas again: Carrick.. would eventually rediscover his form. He went on to play a key role in helping Manchester United win the Premier League in the 2010-11 and 2012-13 seasons. He was named in the Professional Footballers’ Association Team of the Year for 2012-13. It is an example from which West Ham United’s playmaker Lucas Paqueta may take comfort.”
Maybe the current discussions surrounding a loan back to Botafogo in the Brazilian domestic leagues makes sense just now.
Lopetegui and the Hammers’ management are walking a tightrope at present, trying to balance what is best for the player and best for the team. Desperately difficult when the interests of the two might not coincide. As if Lopetegui’s life wasn’t challenging enough right now.
