West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed profound worry over the ongoing situation surrounding star midfielder Lucas Paqueta, whose future at the London Stadium appears increasingly uncertain.
Manager's Concern and Relegation Battle
Speaking ahead of a crucial London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday, Nuno admitted he is "deeply concerned" about the Brazilian international. The Hammers boss emphasised that the club's best players must be available to help in their desperate fight against relegation, with the team currently languishing in 18th place and on a run of ten Premier League games without a victory.
"Lucas is one of the best players," Nuno stated. "Our best players must be available and helpful." The £51m playmaker missed the club's FA Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers last Sunday and is reportedly keen on a return to his former club, Flamengo. The Brazilian transfer window remains open until March, adding further pressure to the saga.
Injury Issues and Past Troubles
While transfer speculation swirls, Paqueta is also battling a fitness issue. Nuno confirmed the player is "still having treatment" for a back condition and is a doubt for the weekend's match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. "He's still struggling," the manager warned. "Let's see. We have a couple of days to go."
The 28-year-old's time in England has been marred by off-field controversy. An £80m move to Manchester City collapsed in August 2023 after he was investigated—and later cleared—by the FA over spot-fixing allegations. More recently, he was sent off for dissent against Liverpool in November, after which he claimed his reaction was "a reflection of everything I've had to endure."
A Situation That Needs Solving
Nuno revealed he has held one-to-one talks with Paqueta this week and stressed the club's duty of care. "First of all, he's a person. We have to take care of that now," he said. However, the manager was unequivocal about what is required from the player: "Is he in the right mindset to play for West Ham again? He needs to be."
With Paqueta's contract having just one year remaining this summer, a departure seems inevitable. For now, Nuno is focused on resolving the immediate crisis. "I think it is a situation we have to solve, all of us at the club," he said. "We always want the best players to be involved and Lucas is one of the best players. So let's try and solve the situation."
The manager also highlighted the broader challenges, stating the club needs "all the help" it can get, from fans to referees, as they navigate a perilous position in the table. The appointment of former Spain defender Paco Jemez as a new first-team coach underscores the club's attempts to stabilise during this turbulent period.
