Lucas Paqueta sends 'happy' message after West Ham defeat by Newcastle
03/11/2025 07:55 AM
Lucas Paqueta sent a message to West Ham supporters following his return to the pitch against Newcastle on Monday.
The Brazilian, who missed back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Leicester City with an ankle injury, replaced Edson Alvarez with 25 minutes remaining in an attempt to overturn a one-goal deficit on 10 March.
Bruno Guimaraes, another player linked with a Newcastle exit alongside Alexander Isak, opened the scoring at the London Stadium, poking home Harvey Barnes’ lofted cross into the box.
It was an extremely frustrating night for the Hammers, with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus denied by Nick Pope throughout the game, and Alphonse Areola saving his team going even further behind.
Lucas Paqueta gives thanks after West Ham injury return
Taking to Instagram [10 March], Paqueta wrote: “Happy to be back. Glory be to God for that,” with praying and heart emojis, with Emerson Palmieri liking the post.
He missed a total of 17 matches through injury during his first two seasons at the London Stadium, but with only two short-term spells on the sidelines this term, his absences have not been as tough.
Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay ready for summer transfer window
Football Insider verdict
Kyle Macaulay, Tim Steidten‘s replacement, has a very difficult first summer transfer window ahead of him, and the Hammers will need to do a lot of business if they are to compete in the Premier League next season.
Niclas Fullkrug, Luis Guilherme and Guido Rodriguez, all of whom were signed last summer, are already seen as deadweight at the London Stadium, and plenty of reinforcements are needed.
| West Ham summer signing | Cost |
| Guido Rodriguez | Free |
| Niclas Fullkrug | £28million |
| Crysencio Summerville | £25million |
| Max Kilman | £45million |
The Irons could be without Paqueta, who is under “serious trouble” at West Ham as he faces potential punishments due to betting allegations, with a lifetime ban being mooted.
That will leave the Hammers needing another new playmaker if that happens, with Bowen and Kudus needing support in the final third, which seems to vanish when Paqueta is unavailable.
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