West Ham’s goalless stalemate with Everton on Saturday was a grim spectacle, further underlining the struggles of two of their star players, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
Both have come under increasing scrutiny this season, and with performances like this, it’s easy to see why.
Bowen, undoubtedly a talented winger, seems to be crumbling under the weight of captaincy. His reluctance to face the media after poor results raises serious questions about his suitability for the role.
Leadership demands accountability, and Bowen’s evasion suggests he’s not ready to lead from the front.
Paqueta’s troubles are even more troubling. The Brazilian playmaker is facing serious allegations of breaching betting rules, with a potential lifetime ban looming if he’s found guilty.
This off-field distraction seems to have seeped into his game, and his performances have been well below par.
For a squad boasting the quality of players like Bowen and Paqueta, West Ham’s current position in the Premier League is nothing short of a disappointment.
Fans have every right to feel let down. The problem is clear: too many players are failing to deliver when it matters most.
And Paqueta, in particular, has been the worst offender.
The match against Everton encapsulated everything wrong with the Hammers at the moment. It was a drab affair, devoid of creativity and urgency, but a single moment in the 70th minute stood out as a microcosm of their woes.
Paqueta received the ball just outside the box with Bowen screaming for a simple pass. The winger was unmarked, perfectly positioned on the edge of the six-yard box. It was an easy chance to create a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Instead, Paqueta opted for an audacious chip over the defence. The execution was woeful, the ball trickling out for a goal kick. Bowen’s frustration was palpable.
He threw his arms up and let loose a volley of words at his teammate, visibly enraged by the wasted opportunity.
It was the most animated Bowen has been all season, a telling reaction that suggests deep frustrations within the squad.
West Ham’s problems run deeper than a single moment of poor decision-making. But Bowen’s outburst at Paqueta highlighted the cracks in a team struggling for cohesion, confidence, and, crucially, quality in the final third.