“Julen Lopetegui Reveals Shocking Secrets: How Lucas Paquetá Can Escape His West Ham Struggles
Brazilian star Lucas Paquetá was left out of the squad for last weekend’s draw against Fulham, but West Ham’s head coach emphasized the midfielder’s significance to the team following a challenging few months.
Julen Lopetegui is cautious about putting too much pressure on the struggling Paquetá. He believes the 27-year-old can regain his form in the attacking phase if he focuses more on his defensive responsibilities. Paquetá’s recent decline in performance follows a turbulent summer, during which he faced four betting-related charges that could result in a lifetime ban if he’s found guilty—though a resolution is expected next year. He was also linked to a move away from West Ham, particularly back to Flamengo, but those talks fell through.
When asked if Paquetá needs to improve ahead of the upcoming match against Chelsea, Lopetegui responded: “I don’t want to place that burden on one player. He needs to excel in both offensive and defensive aspects. When he focuses on his defensive work, he performs much better, and we encourage him to maintain that focus.”
Lopetegui acknowledged that all players, including coaches, have room for improvement, and he appreciates Paquetá’s dedication and hard work. “He’s important to us,” he added.
Upon taking over from David Moyes, Lopetegui recognized that Paquetá and his family were facing difficulties and offered his support. However, he has chosen not to delve into the player’s recent challenges, saying, “He’s handled it well. We focus on football, the next match, and life—not on those issues.”
As West Ham prepares to host Chelsea, they are still seeking their first league win after two defeats at home to Aston Villa and Manchester City. More concerning than the losses is the number of shots the restructured defense is allowing opponents. Despite bringing in three new defenders while losing five, including last season’s captain Kurt Zouma, West Ham is conceding an average of 18.25 attempts per game—just shy of the rate they had during their last relegation season in 2010-11.
Lopetegui noted, “In the Premier League, it’s tough to avoid shots. We know we need to improve, and we’re working on being more compact and consistent defensively while also being more proactive with the ball.”
