West Ham United manager David Moyes absolutely has to step in and do something about Lucas Paqueta.
That might sound harsh, and trust me, I love Lucas Paqueta. However, West Ham manager David Moyes has a big responsibility to act, and the Brazilian should not get away scot free anymore.
Moyes brought Paqueta to the London Stadium from Lyon in the summer of 2022 for around £51 million (The Times).
On the whole, he has been sensational for the Hammers. However, he’s making a bad habit of putting in below par performances recently, none more so than his shocking display against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday.
He didn’t endear himself to the West Ham fans on Thursday night either, when he stormed down the tunnel after being substituted, rather than stay on the bench and support his teammates.
Paqueta was well off the pace again today during our 2-0 defeat to Fulham at the London Stadium. Anyone can have bad games, and I don’t expect him to be on top form every single time he steps on the pitch.
However, something that he does is becoming common now, and it’s quite simply unacceptable…
David Moyes has one job to do with pathetic Lucas Paqueta
The South American deserves all the flowers that he gets for the brilliant things that he does.
He’s by far from perfect though, and he frustrates just as much as he thrills, in equal measure.
Paqueta was far too casual in possession inside the first 10 minutes of today’s game, and he got caught out just before Fulham’s opener. After he was dispossessed he pathetically dived to the floor, and Fulham hit us on the counter to break the deadlock.
He did the same thing during our defeats away at Aston Villa and Freiburg earlier this season. In truth though, there has been plenty more examples of this happening during games where we haven’t got punished as a result – something that has been highlighted by BBC Sport.
Moyes needs to get in his ear. This pathetic play-acting has to stop, and he needs to be far more focused and incisive when in possession of the football.
The Hammers boss must make it clear that it’s completely unacceptable. We need to see more from the Hammers star, certainly as far as his all-round game is concerned.
Sure, he offers us so much going forward and is the often the main reason behind our ability to break down teams that we play against.
However, David Moyes has to instil a different mentality into Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian needs to pick and choose when he showboats.
Hopefully today was the final lesson that the former Lyon man needs.
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