Julen Lopetegui spells out how Lucas Paqueta can bring himself out of West Ham slump

Julen Lopetegui spells out how Lucas Paqueta can bring himself out of West Ham slump

Brazil star Lucas Paqueta was dropped for last weekend’s draw at Fulham but West Ham’s head coach underlined the attacking midfielder’s importance to his squad after difficult few months

Julen Lopetegui is reluctant to place too much pressure on misfiring Lucas Paqueta.

And West Ham’s new boss thinks the Brazil maverick can rediscover his best form in the final third if he doubles down on his defensive work. Paqueta, 27, was dropped for last weekend’s draw at Fulham having looked off the pace in their opening three games.

The dip comes after a disruptive summer in which he was charged with four betting offences that could see him banned for life if found guilty – though a decision is unlikely to be made until next year. He was also linked with a transfer away from East London only for talk of a move to home club Flamengo to collapse.

But when asked ahead of today’s meeting with Chelsea if Paqueta needs to raise his level, Lopetegui said: “I don’t want to put this kind of responsibility on one player.

He has to do the best he can about the offensive phase and defensive phase. When he is focused on the defensive work he is a much better player and we try to encourage him to always be focused in a defensive way as well as an offensive way.

“All the players can do better, the coaches too. Always. I’m happy with his behaviour, his commitment with the rest of his team-mates.