Lucas Paqueta faces West Ham United axe after ‘disinterested’ showing vs Brentford
Lucas Paqueta risks the wrath of Julen Lopetegui if his performances don’t improve after another underwhelming display in the 1-1 draw against Brentford.
Tony Cascarino, speaking on talkSPORT (29 September) accused the Brazilian of looking “disinterested” against Brentford on Saturday (28 September) and his early season performances are hardly getting tongues wagging in East London.
Lopetegui is already facing some pressure at West Ham after only one win from their opening six Premier League fixtures and unlocking the potential of Paqueta could be the key to overturning his side’s fortunes this season.
Julen Lopetegui has a Lucas Paqueta problem at West Ham United
The Hammers have endured problems all over the pitch this season but none is more worrying than the poor form of the usual prominent West Ham attack.
Lopetegui has been forced to rely on 34-year-old Michail Antonio up front and Jarrod Bowen as a makeshift striker as summer signing Niclas Fullkrug faces an extended spell on the sidelines with an expected return after the next international break [GiveMeSport].
Mohammed Kudus and Paqueta have shared roles behind the striker and on the flanks, yielding similar results with the pair looking out of sorts compared to their exploits under David Moyes last season, where they recorded a combined 24 goal contributions in the Premier League.
Paqueta remains free to feature for the Hammers as the Football Association conducts an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing [The Times], claims Paqueta has vehemently denied, but there might be legitimate questions as to whether the off-field uncertainty is affecting his performances on the pitch.
Lopetegui needs his best players to step up and, on his day, Paqueta is arguably one of the best in the Premier League given that Manchester City were willing to sanction a big-money move before the news on his charges came to light.
Paqueta is not the only one who needs to up his game at West Ham, but if he doesn’t then Lopetegui might have a big decision to make over his position in the team.
In other West Ham news, Sawyer and Cascarino were wowed by a ‘ridiculous’ thing they heard about Brentford v West Ham United.
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