Paul Merson stunned by Lucas Paqueta footage in West Ham United win at Luton Town live on Sky Sports
Lucas Paqueta is “such a good player” and was “different class” for West Ham in the win against Luton Town, according to Paul Merson.
The Sky Sports pundit was speaking live on Soccer Saturday (2 September) to sum up the performance in the 2-1 vicory at Kenilworth Road on Friday night, where the former Lyon man continued his outstanding start to the season, calling him “top, top draw”.
Paqueta came close to a move to Manchester City before his FA betting investigation – where he denies wrongdoing – came to light, and Merson isn’t surprised after the 25-year-old made another telling contribution to lay on Jarrod Bowen’s opener on deadline day.
Merson said (12.36pm) “You know what the difference is with West Ham, they’ve got match-winners. Paqueta is such a good player, honestly he’s top, top drawer.”
Simon Thomas cut in as they watched footage of the Brazilian’s assist for Bowen to call it “sensational”.
Merson responded as he watched the clip: “This, this is what they’ve got to learn, Luton. Is all good playing like that in the other leagues [but] you can’t give someone like that time on the ball…
“You can’t give him time. I can’t talk highly enough for the lad. You can see why Man City were looking to buy him, different class.”
High quality
Key men at West Ham have hit form quickly this season and helped them to into the early running at the top of the Premier League.
Paqueta is showing no signs of distraction, either by the FA investigation or by his failed move to the treble winners, where it was thought he very much wanted to go after a £70million bid was rejected.
Pending whatever outcome there is of the investigation it wouldn’t be a surprise for other sides to come calling again, even if City have now signed Matheus Nunes from Wolves, assuming he keeps up his current form.
The transfer haul from last summer didn’t turn into success for most of the season, but Paqueta’s late emergence as a central figure was a big part of the Europa Conference League triumph, and he has maintained a high level so far this term.
His big-money move to the Etihad collapsing has played into the Irons’ hands for now, so the club will be hoping there is no suspension down the line.
Merson is obviously convinced and so are those around the London Stadium, but after this summer it is clear that other clubs have also taken notice.
In other West Ham news, Mike Dean has admitted there was a “handball” incident as he gave his verdict on a penalty shout.