Lucas Paquetá

Key strength: Vision and ball progression through dribbling and incisive passing

Creative attacking midfielder who links play and operates between the lines, often drifting into pockets of space to create chances.

Lucas Paquetá finds himself in a difficult position at West Ham United, with the Hammers languishing in 18th place in the table and facing the real threat of relegation. The Brazilian creative midfielder, signed for €60m from Lyon in August 2022, is experiencing his most challenging spell since arriving in English football. His season statistics paint a picture of frustration: just one goal and zero assists from four appearances totaling 281 minutes. Perhaps most telling are the four yellow cards already accumulated—a reflection of both his combative nature and the struggles of a team fighting for every point. Despite the collective malaise, the 28-year-old remains West Ham's primary creative spark, with his trademark vision and incisive passing the best hope for unlocking stubborn defenses. His €35m market value reflects his undoubted quality, though questions linger about whether his dribbling-led approach can thrive when teammates lack the movement to complement his through balls. Paquetá needs his teammates—particularly defensive stalwarts like Tomáš Souček—to provide the platform that allows his artistry to flourish.