West Ham United must do all they can to keep Lucas Paqueta as leading Premier League statistics emerge
West Ham have enjoyed a strong start to the new Premier League season, coming as a huge surprise to many followers of the competition.
There has been plenty of unease at the London Stadium this summer, all kickstarted by the loss of club captain Declan Rice.
But the issues have been calmed for now, largely thanks to the club’s new summer signings and their unbeaten start.
The East London club began with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, before picking up all three points in a superb 3-1 win at home to Chelsea.
Scoring the final goal against the Blues was star midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who worryingly for West Ham fans has seemingly come close to an exit from the club this summer.
Fortunately for the Hammers, the midfielder’s proposed £80million move to Manchester City is currently off amid an FA betting investigation into the midfielder [Sky Sports, 23 August].
There is, however, still time for an exit to take place before the transfer window closes, but the Hammers should be doing all they can to make sure that doesn’t happen after his superb start to proceedings.
As per Squawka (22 August), the Brazil ace has won possession more times (24) and made more successful tackles (10) than any other Premier League player this season.
The midfield star has also won possession in the defensive third 15 times (second overall) and has won 19 duels (third overall).
His versatility has also been on show, with Paqueta playing in defensive midfield against the Cherries and in attacking midfield against the Blues.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers want to sign a Serie A striker as a replacement for Gianluca Scamacca, who left to join Atalanta earlier this summer.