West Ham‘s victory over Freiburg came with a bittersweet note as star midfielder Lucas Paqueta had to be substituted due to injury, confirmed by manager David Moyes.
In Thursday’s Europa League clash, Paqueta’s standout performance was marred by an untimely knock, prompting his early exit from the game. Despite opening the scoring in the first half, the Brazilian appeared visibly frustrated upon his substitution in the 62nd minute for James Ward-Prowse.
David Moyes Comments on Lucas Paqueta Injury
Speaking post-match, Moyes revealed, “He was injured in the first half, and he was unhappy at half-time as I was going to take him off then.”
He elaborated on his decision-making process, stating,
“But I said ‘no, I’ll keep you going’ [for the second half], but then you start thinking about other games at the weekend and how we could protect him as best we could.”
Expressing his concern for Paqueta’s welfare, Moyes emphasized, “I’ve got to make sure his injury wasn’t going to get any worse.”
He further highlighted the player’s determination, remarking, “It’s good, I like it when they don’t like coming off. It shows you they care a wee bit!”
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What’s Next For West Ham
With West Ham set to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, Moyes’ cautious approach towards Paqueta’s injury suggests he may be sidelined for the upcoming fixture, aiming to ensure his full recovery before returning to action.
The setback adds a layer of uncertainty to West Ham’s midfield setup as they aim to maintain their impressive form in both domestic and European competitions.