Paqueta has been open about his desire to return to Brazil<\/a> with boyhood club, and newly-crowned Copa Libertadores champions, Flamengo, Nuno remains confident that the number ten will still be a West Ham player come February. Come September 2026, though, that could be a very different story.<\/p>\nFor the time being, at least West Ham have captain marvel Jarrod Bowen back on the scoresheet. <\/p>\n
Was Jarrod Bowen simply unlucky? Or is there ANOTHER reason why his form had dipped under Nuno? <\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ve been pretty unfortunate in a few weeks, if you go back to the Leeds United game with the overhead kick and the Newcastle United game where I hit the bar after four or five minutes. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can either let it eat you up inside, but the most important thing is the team, and the position that I\u2019m in of being captain and having that responsibility, having that leadership to be the focal point of the team without scoring and assisting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 Jarrod Bowen after the draw at Brighton<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n
With Summerville\u2019s long wait for a goal dragging on and with Paqueta\u2019s long-term future uncertain, Bowen\u2019s laser-guided finish at the Amex was a timely reminder of his own game-changing qualities.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Paqueta] is not okay. He\u2019s suffering. He is disappointed. He is sad, but he realised the mistake that he made and he\u2019s willing to move forward,\u201d Nuno said after that bizarre red card in that 2-0 home defeat by Arne Slot\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what people sometimes are not aware of; all the problems that football players endure. But Lucas, I think, is going to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it is affecting him, but he\u2019s willing to move forward, to try and put this aside and to continue to play football in the way that he does.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I can assure you is that here at the club, we have all the support that the players need. Not only Lucas, but all the players and the staff. We have processes in the club that help and are willing to provide assistance here in the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
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![\"Lucas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2248621351-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Ben STANSALL \/ AFP via Getty ImagesNuno Espirito Santo hails Lucas Paqueta\u2019s West Ham United return<\/p>\n![\"Lucas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Lucas-Paqueta-profile-2-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n