By Conor Hogan

It has been a strange season for West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá, to say the least. 

I suppose that’s hardly surprising – the Brazilian’s whole West Ham career has been quite the rollercoaster: From becoming the Irons’ record signing, to battling relegation, to assisting a cup-winning goal, to enduring a two-year betting scandal, and now looking like a complete enigma in Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.

That’s the thing about Paquetá – he is an enigma. One week he’s threading exquisite passes, scoring worldies and embarrassing opposition players with his skill. The next, he’s in tears after being booked for a foul following a careless loss of possession.

Paquetá’s undeniable ability and flair for the dramatics have made him one of the most entertaining players to play in Claret & Blue in recent times. The 28-year-old plays with his heart on his sleeve, which is more than can be said about many players in today’s game.

Despite this, however, West Ham can’t afford to attempt entertaining right now. Amid the relegation scrap they find themselves in, they need to be efficient. Currently, Paquetá doesn’t fit that bill, as his dispossession that led to Villa’s equaliser on Sunday proved.

Ironically, West Ham’s most efficient performer since Nuno’s arrival has been someone in a similar role: 21-year-old Mateus Fernandes, who has hardly put a foot wrong since moving to East London.

The Portuguese international won 16 ground duels against Brighton recently, the most of any player in a Premier League game this season. Additionally, he scored the league’s fastest goal of the campaign against Villa after just 29 seconds on Sunday.

Fernandes has been a revelation for the Irons and has been central to the Hammers’ midfield revival that has transpired in recent games. He is my early pick for Hammer of the Year.

Paquetá has always been touted as West Ham’s primary playmaker – the one man that could create something out of nothing. Yet he is without a Premier League assist since David Moyes’ departure in 2024. Admittedly, that assist almost came on Sunday when he set up Jarrod Bowen’s goal, only for the strike to be ruled out for offside.

So, should Paquetá be dropped? Possibly. There is no reason why Soungoutou Magassa, Freddie Potts and Fernandes shouldn’t be the midfield trio going forward, given their recent performances. On his day, there are few players more enjoyable to watch than Lucas Paquetá. But right now, West Ham can’t afford to rely on “on his day” players.