Alan Shearer Finally Breaks His Silence on Lucas Paqueta’s Struggles After Wolves vs. West Ham Clash
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has never been one to shy away from calling it as he sees it, and after West Ham United’s latest outing against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the former Newcastle striker has finally broken his silence on a player who’s been underperforming all season: Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian midfielder, once hailed as a transformative signing for the Hammers, has been a shadow of his former self in the 2024-25 campaign, and Shearer didn’t hold back in his assessment following the pulsating encounter at Molineux.
West Ham’s clash with Wolves was a rollercoaster affair, with both sides showcasing moments of brilliance and frailty. However, amidst the chaos, Paqueta’s lackluster display stood out for all the wrong reasons. The 27-year-old, who arrived at the London Stadium in 2022 with a reputation as a creative force from his time at Lyon, has struggled to find consistency this season, and Shearer has seen enough.
Speaking on a popular football analysis show, Shearer didn’t mince words. “I’ve been watching Paqueta all season, and he’s been very poor,” the pundit declared. “Against Wolves, you saw it again—he was sloppy in possession, lacked energy, and offered nothing going forward. For a player of his quality and price tag, you expect so much more. West Ham fans deserve better than what he’s giving them right now.”
The stats back up Shearer’s scathing critique. In the Wolves match, Paqueta completed just 68% of his passes, lost possession 12 times, and failed to register a single key pass or shot on target. For a player tasked with linking midfield and attack, those numbers paint a grim picture. His season-long form hasn’t been much better, with only a handful of assists and no goals to his name as April dawns—a stark contrast to the flair and dynamism he displayed in his debut season with the club.
West Ham’s campaign has been a mixed bag, with moments of promise overshadowed by inconsistency, and Paqueta’s dip in form hasn’t helped. Manager Graham Potter has stuck by the Brazilian, often deploying him in a central role, but the patience of fans and pundits alike is wearing thin. Shearer, known for his no-nonsense approach, pointed to a specific moment in the Wolves game as emblematic of Paqueta’s woes: a lazy turnover in midfield that nearly led to a Wolves counterattack. “That’s the kind of thing you can’t afford in the Premier League,” Shearer noted. “He’s got the talent, but where’s the application?”
Paqueta’s struggles haven’t gone unnoticed by the West Ham faithful either. Social media was ablaze post-match with frustrated supporters echoing Shearer’s sentiments, some even calling for the former Lyon man to be benched in favor of younger, hungrier options. It’s a far cry from the adulation Paqueta received last season when his silky skills and vision helped West Ham secure European football.
So, what’s gone wrong? Some speculate that off-field distractions or fatigue could be at play, while others wonder if the tactical demands of Potter’s ’s system are stifling Paqueta’s natural game. Whatever the reason, Shearer’s public call-out might just be the wake-up call the midfielder needs—or a sign that his time in East London could be nearing an end if he doesn’t turn things around.
As West Ham prepare for their next fixture, all eyes will be on Paqueta to see if he can silence his critics, starting with the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer. For now, though, Alan Shearer has laid down the gauntlet, and the ball is firmly in Paqueta’s court.
