Nearly three years ago, West Ham United shelled out a record transfer fee – though initially undisclosed, it’s rumoured to be around £50 million plus add-ons – to secure the services of the talented Brazilian Lucas Paqueta.
The flamboyant No.10 perfectly embodies the type of player adored in East London. He brings flair and a touch of unpredictability, showcasing abundant skill on the pitch.
Paqueta quickly endeared himself to the Hammers supporters, becoming a new figure of adoration in the stands of the London Stadium.
However, things took a serious turn in May 2024 when the Football Association charged him for alleged violations of betting regulations.
Despite Paqueta’s claims of innocence, the FA moved forward with the charges, specifically regarding his involvement in matches against Leicester in November 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds in May 2023, and Bournemouth in August 2023.
“He is alleged to have sought to influence the course, conduct, or any other aspect of these matches by intentionally attempting to receive a card from the referee for an improper purpose to affect the betting market so that one or more individuals could profit from betting,” the FA stated.
Additionally, a failure to provide the required information and documents at the time led to two additional breaches of FA Rule F3 concerning his non-compliance with FA Rule F2.
Fast forward to the current day, and a three-week hearing regarding the case is scheduled to commence before the end of March. With the FA seeking a lifetime ban for Paqueta, the situation is extremely critical.
While it seems that a potential ban hasn’t registered in the player’s mind just yet, it raises the valid question of whether the Hammers could manage without what is arguably their most talented player.
In his 83 appearances in the Premier League thus far, he has netted 12 goals and provided nine assists. Of his 130 shots, 33 have hit the target, and he has also created 18 significant chances.
His accuracy in crossing and shooting has been dependable, achieving success rates of around 23% and 25%, respectively.
Paqueta’s contributions include 174 accurate long balls and 54 through balls out of a total of 3,469 passes completed in the Premier League since his arrival.
Interestingly for a Brazilian known for his attacking flair, Paqueta has also logged 443 ball recoveries, made 49 interceptions, and executed 193 tackles during his time in England, demonstrating that a solid work ethic underpins his impressive comprehension of the game.
Despite missing 20 matches due to injury since joining West Ham, he has generally been an available option. Still, when he’s absent from the starting lineup, the team struggles. At the start of 2024, Paqueta endured a seven-game layoff, the longest of his career due to a calf injury sustained during the FA Cup match against Bristol City.
West Ham was eliminated in the replay, and throughout his absence, they failed to secure a single victory.
His absence contributed to a troubling run of results, including a 3-0 loss against Manchester United, a disheartening 6-0 defeat at home to Arsenal—where frustrated fans began leaving at half-time—and a 2-0 setback against Nottingham Forest.
Upon his return, Paqueta inspired the Hammers to a 4-2 win over Brentford, a match highlighted by Jarrod Bowen’s hat-trick.
However, a deeper look into his absences reveals a troubling pattern.
His initial injury as a West Ham player was a shoulder issue that kept him out of action for several matches between mid-October and early November 2022.
During that span, West Ham did manage a Premier League victory against Bournemouth, along with two expected wins in the UEFA Conference League against Silkeborg and FCSB.
Yet, they also encountered losses to Liverpool, Manchester United, and Crystal Palace, as well as a penalty shootout elimination against Blackburn Rovers in the Carabao Cup during this timeframe, which is more telling.
The most recent injury occurred with an ankle issue, sidelining him from late February to early March 2025. During that period, West Ham lost to Arsenal, secured a win against struggling Leicester—who had chalked up 13 losses in their last 15 encounters—and again fell to Newcastle, though Paqueta did return as a substitute in the latter match, coming on in the 65th minute while the team was already trailing.
Though West Ham has notable players like Mohammed Kudus, Bowen, and Tomas Soucek in their ranks, it wouldn’t be fair to solely credit Paqueta for the team’s successes—no single player can define a team’s performance.
What the 27-year-old offers, however, is that extra flair that no one else can replicate.
He possesses the dazzling skills expected from a Brazilian international, but, unlike some of his peers, he backs this up with relentless hard work.
His footballing intelligence is clear as he effortlessly opens passing lanes that others might overlook, enabling intricate plays that make him an essential part of West Ham’s attacking strategies.
The prospect of a lifetime ban is daunting, and anyone invested in ensuring Paqueta can continue his career will be on edge over the ensuing three weeks.
A pivotal decision for both Paqueta’s career and West Ham’s future looms on the horizon…
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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