Nuno Espírito Santo has once again heaped praise on West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá, describing him as “irreplaceable” during today’s press conference.
Paquetá is suspended for Saturday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
When the Hammers boss was asked how he planned to replace the Brazilian in the starting XI, he was unequivocal:
“You can’t replace a player like Lucas, he’s irreplaceable. We have to be aware of what he means to us, what he gives us and his talent.”
It’s high praise once again—just two weeks after Nuno labelled the 28-year-old a “symbol” of West Ham’s attacking play in the No.10 role.
The irreplaceable Lucas Paqueta
Who replaces Paquetá?
Praise aside, Espírito Santo will have to replace him—unless he fancies playing with ten men at the Vitality.
The general consensus is that Tomáš Souček will come in. The big Czech has been superb from the bench, scoring in West Ham’s back-to-back victories, and many feel he’s earned a start.
That said, I still prefer him as a supersub once Callum Wilson starts to fade. Souček’s late runs into the box are far more dangerous when legs in midfield are tiring. The circus surrounding Niclas Fullkrug could men that he gets the super-sub role, in which case Big Sou will be available to start in midfield.
A tough call for Nuno—but one he’ll have no choice but to make.