It’s not been the greatest of seasons for West Ham, but it could get a whole lot worse if Lucas Paqueta is found guilty of outstanding betting charges.
With so many new signings during the summer there was an expectation that the Hammers would be flying under Julen Lopetegui.
At present, however, the Irons are stuck down in 15th place with just two wins from their opening eight games.
Lucas Paqueta may never play football again
Julen Lopetegui has set an unwanted record, and his style of play appears to be anathema to what might be termed ‘the West Ham way.’
Pundit, Chris Sutton, has also been critical of the club’s technical director, Tim Steidten.
With players such as Paqueta, Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen and Mo Kudus et al all plying their trade at the London Stadium, clearly the Hammers are underperforming.
If that wasn’t bad enough, there would appear to be a potential doomsday scenario ahead for the club too.
“I’m sure he (Paqueta) will have a fair trial,” football finance expert, Stefan Borson, told Football Insider.
“He’s probably very nervous because clearly if he loses, it’s going to be very hard for him to play again, certainly in the Premier League. I think that would be basically impossible.
“But he might not play again period if he’s done what has been alleged, so you can understand that he’s nervous about it. It’s his entire career.”
It isn’t clear exactly when Paqueta’s outstanding case for alleged betting misdemeanours will be heard, and until then West Ham can still enjoy the fruits of his labour.
Were the Brazilian to be found guilty, however, and the heaviest possible punishment administered, the creative influence that he provides for the East Londoners will be stunted.
That’s a scenario that no Hammers fan will want to consider at this point.