Lucas Paqueta development in West Ham United v Everton amazes talkSPORT pundit
Lucas Paqueta was “totally ineffective” for West Ham United against Everton and should have been withdrawn by Julen Lopetegui, according to Perry Groves.
The talkSPORT pundit blasted the Brazilian for his lack of impact on the pitch during a drab goalless draw at the London Stadium.
Groves, speaking live on air on Saturday [9 November], expressed sympathy for Crysencio Summerville, who Lopetegui decided to hook after 83 minutes while leaving Paqueta on the field throughout.
“I would have liked to have seen [Danny] Ings come on the pitch earlier and I can’t believe Lucas Paqueta stayed on the pitch, because he was totally ineffective,” Groves complained.
“As a No.10 you’ve got to work hard to get yourself on the ball, and he wasn’t doing that. Crysencio Summerville was the bright spark in the team, and he was replaced instead – I’d be very disappointed if I was him.”
Lucas Paqueta enduring poor season for West Ham United
All things considered, Paqueta’s season has thus far been a microcosm of West Ham’s as a whole.
With two goals and no assists so far this season in claret and blue, and four bookings in his last five games, the Brazil international has performed well below what has been expected of him by the Hammers hierarchy and supporters.
The 27-year-old is currently battling an extensive legal case into banned activity affecting betting markets, the allegations on which he has always strenuously denied.
And whether it is these ongoing background issues or simply an unsettled feeling at the London Stadium – or a cocktail of both – his displays are doing very little to maintain his head coach’s long-term job security.
For the 14th-placed Hammers, the remainder of the month brings contests against Newcastle United [25 November] and Arsenal [30 November] following the international break.
Let’s just hope Paqueta can finally find his form of old for those key games.
In other West Ham news, why Alan Shearer is concerned for the team after the Everton stalemate.
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