There was a moment during West Ham’s humiliating loss to Liverpool when the TV commentator delivered a surprising piece of information.
It came during a passage of play where the Hammers’ Brazilian playmaker, Lucas Paquetá, had once again lost possession—something he’s been doing all too often of late. The identity of the commentator escapes me, but it was at this moment they decided to share a troubling statistic:
“Lucas Paquetá has not created an assist in 23 games.”
The statement struck me immediately. At first, I doubted its accuracy, but as I racked my memory, I couldn’t recall the last time Paquetá assisted a goal. Though I haven’t double-checked the claim, it feels plausible. Sadly, our £50m Brazilian playmaker has stopped playmaking.
The more I think about it, the more I realise that the tricks, swagger, and bravado in Paquetá’s game have vanished too. We understand the mitigating circumstances behind his drop in form, and as a club and fanbase, West Ham has been incredibly supportive. However, there comes a point when that support must be repaid.
Right now, Paquetá simply isn’t delivering. His last two performances in a West Ham shirt have been dreadful. He has failed to provide the midfield with the control or passing ability it desperately needs. Instead, what we’re seeing is a version of Paquetá who throws himself to the ground when things don’t go his way.
This raises an important question: at what point do we stop indulging the Brazilian’s theatrics and ill-discipline? Aside from the odd penalty, he’s offering very little to the team.
Head coach Julen Lopetegui is fighting for his job, which makes it all the more surprising that he continues to select the unreliable Paquetá. The irony of Lopetegui gambling his position on a player whose own future is in doubt due to gambling allegations isn’t lost on me.
But it’s clear: Paquetá has stopped trying for West Ham. He doesn’t possess the graft and determination of players like Bowen, Wan-Bissaka, or Souček.
Perhaps he’ll strut his stuff and show off his plumage against Pep Guardiola, who once considered paying £80m for him. But even if “The Paq-Man” turns it on against Manchester City, it will be fleeting.
The truth is, City had a lucky escape. Unfortunately for West Ham, we’ve been left with a shadow of the player Paquetá used to be
