Lucas Paquetá Speaks Out After West Ham’s 3-0 Defeat to Sunderland Amid Transfer Rumours
In the wake of West Ham’s opening-day collapse at the Stadium of Light—with Sunderland running out convincing 3-0 winners—midfielder Lucas Paquetá has remained publicly silent about the result itself. However, the match comes at a fraught juncture for the Brazil international, as speculation continues to swirl regarding his future at the club.
While no direct quote from Paquetá addressing the Sunderland loss has surfaced, reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that the 27-year-old is now “considering exploring options to leave West Ham this summer,” seeking a fresh challenge after enduring a testing 18 months off the field amid the fallout from betting allegations .
Paquetá’s future had seemed settled following an independent FA regulatory commission clearing him of spot-fixing charges—a verdict welcomed widely by the club and the player himself. Paquetá expressed public gratitude, stating, “I can’t say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face.” His release from the cloud of investigation was hailed as “incredibly positive” by manager Graham Potter, who affirmed that Paquetá remains “happy and committed” to West Ham .
Amid the backdrop of Sunderland’s dominant home performance—which featured goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and Wilson Isidor—West Ham’s new signings shouldered much of the defensive focus. One analysis even notably lamented the absence of a Paquetá resurgence, observing that “the Brazil international played just as poorly as he did last season; slow, casual in possession and falling too easily to try and win free-kicks” . Such sharp criticism may intensify the uncertainty surrounding his place in Potter’s squad.
It’s worth noting that transfer discussions are advancing quickly. West Ham reportedly placed a substantial £45 million price tag on Paquetá, with interest coming from both Manchester City and clubs in Saudi Arabia .
Summary:
Paquetá has not publicly addressed West Ham’s heavy defeat to Sunderland, but his broader stance and future remain under scrutiny. Recently cleared of FA charges, he declared a desire to play with joy again. Though Potter reiterated his commitment to the club, transfer rumours persist—and Mayhem on the pitch hasn’t helped. Paquetá is evaluating his next steps as the window edges toward its close.
Let me know if you’d like me to explore potential suitors, fan sentiment, or how Paquetá’s position fits with West Ham’s midfield strategy this season!
Leave a Reply