GIANLUCA SCAMACCA has hailed “brilliant” Lucas Paqueta as one of the keys to keeping West Ham on a winning run.
The £51million Brazil international, 25, is yet to get fully up to speed in the colours of claret and blue.
But he has shown glimpses of why boss David Moyes was so keen to get him through the doors at the London Stadium.
Paqueta has picked up an assist in each of his last two appearances with both clever flicks finding in-form striker Scamacca, who made light work of the finishes.
His most recent involvement came in the 3-1 Premier League win over Fulham.
Paqueta was found by Hammers captain Declan Rice deep inside Fulham’s half, and the tricky Brazilian instinctively flicked the ball in behind Fulham’s backline finding Scamacca.
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The Italian international controlled the ball, albeit in contested fashion, and lobbed the keeper to hand the Hammers the lead.
Paqueta also had 66 total touches and impressively recovered the ball seven times, showing he’s more than willing to do the dirty work, making him the ideal Moyes player.
And Scamacca, who’s in rich goal-scoring form having netted six goals from seven starts across all competitions, says “brilliant” Paqueta is one of the keys to keep West Ham winning.
Speaking to WHUFC.com, Scamacca said on Paqueta: “Lucas Paqueta and I have a good connection.
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“It’s one we also have with Bowen, Rice, and everyone in the team all together.
“We found a good solution to going behind today, but Lucas is a brilliant player and it’s a pleasure to play to him.”
Boss Moyes is as equally in awe of his Brazilian Magnifico, who is a nailed-on starter for Brazil at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The Scotsman said: “I think it would be difficult to be a centre-forward who wouldn’t want to play around Lucas Paqueta.
“On his day he is going to make you goals and chances because of the way he plays.”
The Hammers’ turn in form has lifted them up out of the relegation zone and into mid-table.
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Moyes’ men are unbeaten in their last six games and have a favourable fixture against Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League coming up on Thursday followed by a league game against Southampton next weekend.
A win away at the Saints next Sunday could lift them into the top half and they might just start dreaming of a third consecutive European finish.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
