Getting £36 million for Lucas Paquetá feels like good business in my opinion.
It was not that long ago, as the FA dragged their investigation into a second year, that many of us feared West Ham might end up losing him for nothing. When you factor in Paquetá’s age and the reality that he only wanted to join one club, it is hard to argue that the negotiations have been handled badly.
The Real Question: Who Replaces Him?
Unfortunately, I cannot quite shake the suspicion that West Ham will not reinvest the money in a proper replacement. Recent comments from the club that “it’s up to the manager” are hardly inspiring confidence that the hierarchy will spend the next 5 days sourcing a new playmaker.
Only seven weeks ago, Nuno Espírito Santo described the Brazilian as his best player, operating in the team’s most important role — the number ten. Nuno spoke very publicly about that position being a symbolic one, and by extension, Paquetá’s importance to how the side functioned.
It therefore stands to reason that he should be replaced with another symbol signing. And no, I do not mean Adama Traoré. He is a winger and a replacement for Luiz Guilherme. I am talking about a player who can make the team tick, someone capable of seeing and executing passes others simply cannot visualise.
I am fully aware that Mateus Fernandes is doing a very good job. But if West Ham were to lose him, we would be in serious trouble.
That is why my concern remains. I have a nagging suspicion that the Paquetá money will be trousered rather than spent in this window. The board now have five days to prove that theory complete nonsense.
I sincerely hope they do.
Gonzo, midfield have some cover from the under 21 squad, and in my opinion still should have Earthy too. However the more serious problem is at centre back. We really only have 2 and if you want on occasions the 3 with wing backs that means Kilman plays, and there is the problem Kilman is no where near good enough to play regular 1st team football, so for me a centre back is a must, especially with the Brighton loan player going back to be sold apparently.
Kante?
I think we should have kept Earthy and placed him in or at least off the bench.
We do need a defender as a minimum, I’m sure there is a championship player with a hunger to succeed that will be just right for us.
Buying a defender is paramount. If there is Paqueta money that won’t be spent, as long as it is spent in the summer, i have no issue with that. Panic buying for the sake of appeasing West Ham fans is a tactic i’m sure the board won’t use and rightly so.
Ask yourself why the need for the panic…
Hi Gonzo, I’m afraid I’m not so upbeat about Taty, Pablo and Traore. Yes, T&P have had a great impact on the team but I don’t see them anymore than bottom half Prem players. Same with Traore. They will not get us into the top 10 imo (for what it’s worth!).
We desperately need a centre half, the vast majority of us felt it the most important position to fill and having left it to last, I can only presume Nuno &/or Sullivan think otherwise.
The problem now is that Sullivan, who has a tendency to overpay, is now in a position where any selling club will potentially hold us to ransom and we spend all the Paqueta money on a player worth half that amount.
Equally, I remain unconvinced the money is there to be spent, as our sales monies pretty much equal our purchase monies this January. Given Sullivan having previously stated we couldn’t afford any more purchases last summer (PSR &/or cash flow) it may well be Paqueta’s money is already fully spent.
By the way, m not trying to argue that we shouldn’t spend money just I’m not convinced we will. Loan players will be forthcoming….. possibly!
Let’s hope that the last 3x games are a sign we can win enough games in the next 3.5 months to stay up…….it’s going to be tough.
Raheem Sterling…
Please God no!
According to Nuno are available that come up to his expectations.
Naive.
I agree 36 million is not bad. If we bought him for 50 million he’s cost us 14 million over however many years it’s been. He helped to win us a cup so maybe it was worth it. I agree we need to replace him with a number 10. Plan must have been to replace Paqueta with a new signing surely, otherwise why did we agree a loan for George Earthy? Does Nuno see Pablo and Fernandes as number 10s?
The management and many fans are promoting Cresswell for WHU. I have seen him play for England under 21’s and been impressed. I am told that he is a leader, strong defender and good reader of the game. I have a suggestion, GO AND GET HIM.
Sully may think he’s saving money by keeping his hands in his pockets but when he sees what financial losses the second tier brings, it will be too late.
If the worry is that he doesn’t want the lower tier, put it in the contract that he can be released.
☝️ spot on! Cresswell simply has to be signed even if it costs £30m. Agree about clause saying he can go for minimum of £25m if we drop. Why pay £3m loan fee and wages for someone like Disai from Chelsea when we can sign Cresswell on this basis?
Maybe we’ve already spent this money on Castellanos and Pablo?
We’re already seeing the usual ‘we tried’ guff via the club’s normal sources. I don’t see us getting anyone bar a loaned centre back (Pinnock etc).
Gonzo We will not spend most of that money Dont let it be forgotten the Aguerd millions just disappeared in the summer So dont hold our breath here
Aguerd money used to purchase Todibo. As for spending the Paqueta money wisely, nobody any good is going to sign permanently for a team adrift in the bottom 3. The right choice might be to gamble on a loan and see where we end up in May? If we do stay up, good players might be more attracted to us, and the price will be better too.
Sorry Jimbo Cant agree Aguerd left the club after the arrival of Todibo
Good article Gonzo, but where in the January transfer market and while we’re in a relegation battle do you find such a player?
Hell Pete,
We manager to sign Taty, Pablo and Traore. I know we’ll not sign a world beater but that doesn’t mean players aren’t available.
We’ve been in serious trouble all season mate, we’re just desperate now!