West Ham United encouraged as Lucas Paqueta posts Instagram injury statement
Lucas Paqueta has hinted that he will be back in time for West Ham United’s home game against Crystal Palace on Sunday (6 November).
The 25-year-old has been missing for roughly a month with a shoulder problem and was briefly a doubt to play for Brazil in the World Cup in Qatar but Tite is now relaxed over his fitness.
Paqueta wanted to quash any further talk surrounding him, however, and took to Instagram to prove to everybody that he was ready to go for the Irons.
“I’m back and I’m ready,” was the rallying cry from the Brazilian international on his Instagram story (5 November) with the fixture against the Eagles ending the short video.
That all indicates that David Moyes will have Paqueta available for selection to face Patrick Vieira’s tricky Palace side at the London Stadium with just two games left before the World Cup break.
Huge news
West Ham desperately needed the 25-year-old’s industry and creativity back in the fold after a small run of insignificant performances in the Premier League.
No player can seem to match Paqueta’s brilliance on the ball and perhaps no player can rival his match-winning ability even if he isn’t the player to score that crucial goal.
Moyes will be over the moon to have that impact available to him once again even if he isn’t quite fit enough to start because he would no longer be required to rely upon just one or two players to make the difference anymore.
Gianluca Scamacca should also be chomping at the bit to get going with his relationship on the field with the Brazilian already almost telepathic and his goals mostly coming with him on the field this season.
Without Paqueta, the two sides are fairly evenly matched but the 25-year-old’s readiness just tips the scales in favour of West Ham.