Lucas Paqueta Set for Bench Role After Struggles in West Ham’s Victory Over Manchester United
Lucas Paqueta is likely to face time on the sidelines following his underwhelming performance in West Ham United’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United at the London Stadium on Sunday, 27 October.
The 27-year-old was one of three players manager Julen Lopetegui substituted at half-time, along with Carlos Soler and Konstantinos Mavropanos, as the game remained goalless. Lopetegui’s bold decision to make such early changes paid dividends, with Crysencio Summerville opening the scoring shortly after the break. Danny Ings, another substitute, then earned the penalty that Jarrod Bowen converted for a late winner.
Paqueta’s Form Becoming a Problem for West Ham:
While dropping Paqueta was a bold move, the Brazilian’s numbers suggest it was the right call.
According to FotMob, Paqueta failed to hit the target with his only shot and lost both ground duels he contested. He also conceded three fouls in the first half, receiving a yellow card for one of them.
The former AC Milan playmaker managed to win just one of two aerial duels and recorded five recoveries along with one interception, but his overall impact was limited.
Perhaps more concerning was that he lost possession ten times in just 45 minutes, despite making only 33 touches during that spell.
Paqueta’s performances have been inconsistent this season, with just two goals in eleven appearances across all competitions. His form has seen his average Premier League rating on WhoScored drop by 0.68 compared to last season, adding to concerns about his contribution.
Lopetegui Likely to Drop Paqueta Against Forest:
Paqueta has started in eight of West Ham’s nine league games this season, but his struggles are becoming increasingly difficult for Lopetegui to overlook.
With the midfielder’s form under scrutiny, reports from GiveMeSport suggest the Spaniard is preparing to leave Paqueta on the bench for the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 2 November.
Lopetegui’s willingness to make tough decisions could prove crucial for West Ham as they look to build momentum in the Premier League.
Dropping Paqueta may seem harsh, but it reflects the manager’s demand for higher standards – and the need for consistency from key players.