West Ham finalizes Paqueta's future after controversial red card

The London club has reached a final verdict on Lucas Paqueta's future, regardless of the highly debated red card and the mental struggles surrounding the Brazilian midfielder lately.

The incident occurred after Paqueta received two consecutive yellow cards due to his reaction towards referee Darren England in the match against Liverpool, which resulted in his dismissal at the London Stadium.

At that moment, Paqueta nearly lost control of his emotions. His sarcastic applause towards the referee escalated tensions, prompting teammates to intervene. After the match, the Brazilian midfielder admitted his fault and apologized to the fans. He explained that his reaction partly stemmed from psychological pressure that has lasted for two years, while living under an FA investigation regarding match-fixing allegations. Although cleared, Paqueta stated that the consequences still haunt him to this day.

In the British media, many experts criticized Paqueta’s excessive behavior. Among them, Alan Shearer did not hesitate to call it a foolish mistake and said the referee had sufficient grounds to issue two consecutive yellow cards.

Nevertheless, West Ham has taken a clear stance: Paqueta will not be sold in January. According to Football Insider, the club’s management views him as an irreplaceable part of the current system. Only an exceptionally valuable offer would make them reconsider. Previously, Man City pursued Paqueta before the FA investigation targeted the midfielder.

Coach Nuno Espirito Santo also defended his player. He acknowledged that Paqueta is under heavy mental pressure but affirmed that the Brazilian midfielder has the resilience to overcome it. West Ham’s coach believes fans sometimes overlook the struggles players endure behind the scenes.

By deciding to retain Paqueta, West Ham hopes he will soon regain his form and composure, reduce impulsive reactions, and fully focus on leading the team’s play for the remainder of the season.

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