Alan Pardew slams Lucas Paqueta after what he’s seen at West Ham United
Alan Pardew has slammed Lucas Paqueta as a “liability” after what the Brazilian has shown at West Ham United.
The former Newcastle head coach was speaking on talkSPORT [1 December] after the Hammers’ 5-2 loss to Arsenal on 30 November and compared the 27-year-old to Hatem Ben Arfa.
Paqueta signed for the East London club in the summer of 2022 from Olympique Lyon, but after some impressive seasons, the Brazil international has struggled in the current campaign.
Pardew isn’t a fan of the midfielder’s defending but raved about his attacking output, saying: “I had Ben Arfa at Newcastle who could do things with the ball that, top level. He had unbelievable talent. He literally had zero defensive qualities in him.
“He didn’t want to defend, couldn’t defend. Even when he did, he gave fouls away and kills the problem. And actually, the players in the team wanted him out of the team more than I did. As much as we tried to put it in him, some players, it just doesn’t go in, that defensive angle of the game.
“I think Paqueta is in that frame. He’s almost like a liability at times when you haven’t got the ball. But he’s got unbelievable quality. And if I was at West Ham, I would play him.”
Lucas Paqueta struggling at West Ham United
The Hammers have been poor this term under Julen Lopetegui, and the Spaniard has failed to bring the best out of the majority of the squad.
While several players have regressed since the arrival of the former Real Madrid head coach, Paqueta has, in particular, been lacking confidence.
The Brazilian’s predicament could also have something to do with the alleged spot-fixing charges he’s facing from the FA.
Under Lopetegui, the playmaker hasn’t been the same as before, scoring two goals and providing zero assists in 15 appearances in all competitions.
It’s about time the 27-year-old is removed from the firing line, with plenty of other options at the Spanish manager’s disposal at West Ham.
Carlos Soler has come into his own in recent matches, and the Paris Saint-Germain loanee could be an excellent option for the Hammers’ number 10 role.
Mohammed Kudus is also set to return to action after picking up a five-match suspension for his actions in the loss to Tottenham in the Premier League on 19 October.
While Paqueta is available to face Leicester on 3 December as he’s not required to give evidence to the Brazilian parliament in the inquiry into sports betting [Dom Smith, 2 December], it would be sensible to give the midfielder some rest.
In other West Ham news, Lopetegui has given a fitness update on Jean-Clair Todibo.
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