Lucas Paqueta will not feature for West Ham against Tottenham.
Lucas Paquetá is claiming a back injury will keep him out of West Ham’s clash with Tottenham on Saturday, though the timing has raised suspicions given his apparent desire to leave the London Stadium.
According to Sport Witness, Paqueta is complaining of a back injury, making him unlikely to feature in the London derby. However, the cynical among us would point out that back injuries are notoriously difficult to prove or disprove and have often been cited by players looking to avoid playing when transfers are on the cards.
The 28-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from West Ham this transfer window. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, a deal is already in motion between West Ham and Flamengo for Paqueta.
Tottenham previously linked
Tottenham themselves have been linked with Paqueta, with claims starting in Brazil before being replicated in England. However, Spurs appear to have put their pursuit on the back burner after agreeing a £35 million deal for Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.
Thomas Frank desperately needs midfield reinforcements following Rodrigo Bentancur’s season-ending hamstring injury that requires surgery. Gallagher represents Frank’s preferred option, though Paqueta’s quality and Premier League experience would have made him an attractive alternative.
The timing of Paqueta’s injury feels particularly convenient given West Ham’s willingness to sell and the reported meeting this week to discuss his exit. Back injuries are subjective complaints that cannot be definitively proven through scans or medical examinations in many cases, making them the perfect excuse for players looking to avoid featuring.
Saturday’s derby represents a crucial fixture for both clubs. West Ham sit 18th in the Premier League with just 14 points from 21 matches. Lopetegui desperately needs his best players available as the Hammers battle to avoid being dragged into a survival fight.
For Tottenham, the match offers an opportunity to pull away from the relegation zone and ease mounting pressure on Frank. Sitting 14th with 27 points. Spurs cannot afford to lose ground against direct rivals in the bottom half.
Paquetá’s absence would significantly weaken West Ham’s midfield creativity, potentially handing Tottenham a major advantage. Whether the back injury proves genuine or simply a convenient excuse to avoid playing remains to be seen, but the timing and circumstances certainly raise eyebrows among those following the situation closely.
