Paqueta is keeping West Ham afloat. Without him, the team is like a soulless team

Lucas Paqueta returned from a calf injury a few weeks ago. His influence on West Ham’s play is immediately noticeable, thanks to him the team has the necessary creativity. Another injury to the Brazilian could be fatal for the whole team. The team’s results with and without Paqueta are like heaven and earth.

Paqueta was missed by West Ham

It all started just after Christmas. On 28 December, West Ham played at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal at home, David Moyes’ team won 2: 0. However, in the 32nd minute Lucas Paqueta had to make a substitution due to a calf injury. West Ham still managed to play this game without him, but it is not so glorious after that.

2. in January, Paqueta missed the game against Brighton and the match ended in a goalless draw. However, the Brazilian appeared in the starting line-up a few days later in the FA Cup against Bristol. In the 4th minute he managed to set up the opening goal for Bowen, in the 14th minute he was substituted again due to a calf injury and missed until 26 February.

During that month and a half West Ham played 6 games. Not one ended in a win, there were only 2 points from draws with Bournemouth and Sheffield United. Above all, the 0:6 home loss to Arsenal did not please the club’s fans. During Paquet’s absence, West Ham also lost the FA Cup rematch with Bristol, in the league to Manchester United and Nottingham.

Paqueta’s return

26. february, the Brazilian appeared in the starting line-up against Brentford, fans were just praying that the return would not be rushed again. Paqueta played 75 minutes and came on as the game was decided 4-1, the match eventually ended 4-2. In the next game West Ham travelled to Everton, Paqueta played 79 minutes and helped them to win 1: 3.

The only black mark after the Brazilian’s return to the pitch is the 1:0 loss to Freiburg in the opening round of the Europa League semi-finals. Fortunately, West Ham turned the rematch in their favour and Paqueta’s goal helped them to win 5-0 and thus to advance to the next stage. In the quarter-finals West Ham will face another German club – Leverkusen.

In the Premier League, the Brazilian played the whole game in the 2-2 draw with Burnley. Paqueta reduced the deficit to 1: 2 in the 46th minute and West Ham got at least a point in stoppage time through Danny Ings. However, a draw with a team that is up to their heads in the relegation zone is certainly disappointing.

West Ham are currently 7th in the Premier League, but 11th placed Chelsea are only 4 points behind them. Therefore, David Moyes can be very happy that Paqueta has returned from injury in solid form, as it is on him that all the creativity of the London outfit rests.

Source: Premier League, West Ham