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Pundit: Lucas Paqueta injury is a blow to West Ham United after partnership with Gianluca Scamacca
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
West Ham are likely to suffer without attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta after he picked up an injury just as he was coming into his game, says Frank McAvennie.
The Brazilian became the club’s record signing in the summer after joining from Ligue 1 club Lyon, and has registered one assist in his six Premier League appearances so far.
But after suffering a “serious” shoulder injury and missing the games against Liverpool and Bournemouth, McAvennie feels his partnership with striker Gianluca Scamacca was just beginning to blossom.
“I think he [Paqueta] was just coming into his game now as well,” he told West Ham Zone.
“He’s just coming into games. He seems to be linking well with Scamacca. I think that’s a find and a half, Scamacca, he’s a wonderful striker, so I think it’s going to be interesting when everyone is fit what they’re going to do with him.
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“Definitely he’s a good find, but yeah, the injury is a blow. Hopefully it’s not too bad.”
It was initially feared that Paqueta had done some serious damage, although the Brazilian is now only expected to miss a couple of weeks of action.
So far he has been used largely as a number ten in a 4-2-3-1 system and has performed well, although his final pass hasn’t quite been up to scratch.
However Hammers fans are delighted with the impact he has made after coming close on a number of occasions, and showing glimpses of the talent that convinced David Moyes to splash upwards of £50m on bringing him to London.
Paqueta is expected to be part of the Brazil squad for the Qatar World Cup next month, which shows just how much quality he has.