Starting to look like one of these ‘he-said, she-said’ sagas in which West Ham United specialise, the question of players not wanting to travel or not wanting to play tomorrow in the Nottingham Forest fixture had the potential today to become a major distraction ahead of what could be a make or break game for Graham Potter.
First the news from the nytimes.com./athletic was that ‘Lucas Paquetá did not want to play’, (as per my earlier article) – now subtly edited and reading: “The midfielder does not expect to play“.
Then shortly after ‘multiple players’ were accused by Hammers.News’ West Ham’s source – including Paquetá –‘of attempting to bully their way out of the club.’
Now the Observer’s Jacob Steinberg has entered the fray and issued his own update, confirming:
“I’m told it’s 50-50 if Lucas Paqueta plays against Nottingham Forest tomorrow. He trained today and has travelled with West Ham’s squad”
Which -thankfully- clears up the Paquetá situation. Travelled, trained: probably going to play, probably not moving to Aston Villa- nothing to see here, honest. Probably.
At the same time hopefully this lays to rest the comments, doubts and opinions voiced by West Ham fans, suggesting ingratitude after it was reported that, even after 2 years standing by their Brazilian during the FA inquiry, Paqueta didn’t want to travel or play. Not the case, it turns out.
Stand down the angst then: The articles regarding Paqueta not wanting to travel or play do appear to be something of an overreach in those earlier reports. I’m rapidly getting the sense that as far as Paquetá is concerned this was a storm in a tea cup. “Loan offer turned down – he stays” might be a less compelling headline but nearer the truth,.
“Nayef Aguerd seems to be the one agitating for a move and most likely “the player who doesn’t wish to play.”
Confused? You will be . Hardly the perfect preparation. No doubt our Hammers will confound everyone and come out and trounce the tricky trees tomorrow leaving us all thinking “crisis? what crisis”.
Memo to FIFA. Please close the transfer window before the season starts in future. Signed, 4 million West Ham fans. Can’t be doing with his sort of player and club chicanery when there’s football matches to be won.
Believable that Paqueta has asked not to play prior to a move as we know he did that prior to a potential move to Man City. David Moyes was a witness in court to say the same during Paqueta match fixing trial, that Paqueta asked not to play.
Martin sadly the rumours appear to be true. BBC Sport just confirmed Villa in talks with West Ham for loan with obligation to buy Paqueta. Club wish to keep him in offer worth a reported £50 million including the loan fee if deal is sanctioned by West Ham. Surely not at this late stage in the window especially on a loan with an obligation to buy basis unless an even better replacement has already been secured?
What bothers me more than anything else at the moment is that Aguerd, Rodriguez, Emerson, Cornet, Irving and JWP are all still West Ham squad members. Irving and Emerson appear closest to leaving, not surprising looking at those names, but the thought that they are ALL still available for Potter to select is frightening.
Media @@@@@@ as usual. Trying to portray the player as the bad guy and wants out……smells like Sullivan antics as per
I hope Paq and Aggi do go on strike as it’s the only way they will get dropped tomoz. The club is bigger than them 2 and probably better for them effing off. It’s a shame Sully doesn’t go on strike with them, although he’d probably fall over less and pick a pass better than the Paqd lunch.
Wish JWP would refuse to travel, as surely refusing to pass it forwards already shows any other player would be an improvement.
Now that made me laugh
Martin, it’s even worse than going over into the season and Saudi and Turkish leagues close on 10th & 12th Sept. I can see interest from these leagues once our window closes. There needs to be consistent summer and Winter windows.
Martin, you really should check your facts before p[posting, otherwise you are just adding to the garage posted by others, i though you would want to accurate, trusted and reliable not just a rubbish reposting site.
But credit for reposting and correcting once you have found out the errors of your first post.
excuse me. my facts were checked and accurate and references shown from the ny times. I have the screen grabs. not my errors, my friend.
would not like Hammers fans to be riled up about Paq-man who it seems -from my little’ ole’ viewpoint, has done nothing wrong. otherwise, believe me, I’d really like to write about something else. As I’m sure most would like to read about something else too!