Julen Lopetegui makes Lucas Paqueta decision at West Ham

Julen Lopetegui backed over new Lucas Paqueta decision at West Ham United

Frank McAvennie has praised Julen Lopetegui for having the guts to drop Lucas Paqueta ahead of West Ham against Fulham on Saturday (14 September).

The Brazilian star was a surprise absence from the starting XI to face the Cottagers in the 1-1 draw, with Tomas Soucek given the nod at attacking midfield ahead of Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez.

Although the 27-year-old missed several matches through injury last season, he has not been benched in a Premier League match since the draw with Chelsea in February 2023.

Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “It’s a bold move, but he’s got to get his big-boy pants on and fight for his place. That’s what he has to do. I’ve not seen the papers down south but it doesn’t seem like a case of him spitting the dummy out.

“He’s taking it, which is good. He’s a professional, an international player, so it might be the best thing that’s happened to him. He might just need that wee extra push, and it shows the manager is not scared.

“I’m delighted.”

While Paqueta has been one of the Irons’ most influential players since arriving at the London Stadium in August 2022, making 89 appearances in all competitions, he has not been up to his usual standards.

Despite his goal against Aston Villa on the opening day of the Premier League season, the Brazilian has not been able to record any other goal contributions.

Leaving him out of the starting XI is an almighty call from the new manager, who will want to keep the fans onside, but it looked to pay off as he struggled as a substitute against the Cottagers.

With a clash against Chelsea up next, fans will be expecting their star player to be thrown back into the lineup to help secure a positive result at the London Stadium.