West Ham United will be without star midfielder Lucas Paqueta for at least the next four weeks as he recovers from an ankle injury, reports The Guardian. This setback comes as another challenge for manager Graham Potter, who is already facing an uphill battle in his early days with the club.
Paqueta’s injury a major blow for West Ham’s struggling season
The news of Paqueta’s injury will be a significant disappointment for the Hammers, who are currently struggling in 16th place in the Premier League standings.
Despite the arrival of Potter as the new manager, West Ham’s fortunes have yet to improve, leaving the team in a precarious position as they fight to climb up the table.
Upcoming fixtures without Paqueta
With the Brazilian international sidelined, West Ham will be missing one of their most influential players for crucial matches. Paqueta is expected to miss games against top clubs, including Arsenal, Leicester City, Newcastle United, and Everton.
These fixtures will test the team’s depth and their ability to perform without their playmaking force in the midfield.
Potter’s early struggles at West Ham
Graham Potter, who took over at West Ham with the hopes of rejuvenating the squad, has yet to make a significant impact.
The club’s ongoing struggles are compounded by the injury to Paqueta, leaving Potter with more challenges as he looks to guide the team out of the relegation zone.
A critical period for West Ham
With Paqueta’s absence, West Ham will need to rely on their other midfield options to step up and deliver results in the coming weeks. How Potter adapts to the loss of his star player and navigates this crucial stretch of the season will likely determine his future at the club and the team’s chances of survival in the Premier League.
West Ham United take on Arsenal next in the Premier League on Saturday, February 22. The match will be played at the Emirates Stadium. They then take on Leicester City next on Friday, February 28 followed by their clash against Newcastle United on 11th March,.