Paquetá’s aspirations aired again as FA verdict nears

FIFA’s club World Cup competition seems to be largely being ignored on this side of the Atlantic – or maybe competing English Premier League sides have received a little more buy-in from their own fans.

To the neutrals its about as interesting as watching Wapping third XI take on Stoke Newington U15’s on a Sunday morning ( I’m probably doing both those two teams a disservice so please accept my apologies before writing in). You know what I mean.

However on the other side of the Atlantic there’s serious competition taking place despite the empty seats pictured in the UK media – Chelsea were defeated 3-1 by Flamengo in a game largely remembered for Nicolas Jackson’s red card.

However former Flamengo young talent and West Ham current number 10 Lucas Paqueta has been rumoured and reported as wanting a return to the team of his early years: Stories ran earlier this summer that Flamengo wanted him back in time for the tournament and Paqueta and his family have taken repeatedly to social media being kitted out in full Flamengo kit.

Again fluttering his eyelashes at the Brazilian side, reported by footballinsider247.com “Paqueta shared an image of Flamengo’s second goal alongside the caption: “Isso e Flamengo,” translating to “This is Flamengo” with clear enthusiasm for his boyhood club.

Enthusiasm- yes, probably continuing to keep the mutual admiration going for when he – hopefully – escapes his FA ban threat with an ‘innocent’ verdict. The general consensus is that Paqueta will be off from West Ham as soon as he’s cleared:  The latest rumour mill suggests a verdict is expected in the next few weeks.

Whether The Hammers will allow him to leave for Brazil when more lucrative offers will come from the Premier League – that battle is one yet to be fought.

Lucas Paqueta denies all of the allegations made against him