West Ham United manager David Moyes is grateful for Lucas Paqueta adding goals to his game but admits the midfielder still has more to offer.
The Hammers paid Lyon a club-record fee of £51m to sign Paqueta on a five-year contract in August 2022.
But the 25-year-old took time to adapt to the Premier League after two seasons in Ligue 1 with Les Gones.
Paqueta had proven himself to be a creative player with Lyon having offered 18 goals and 11 assists through 67 top-flight appearances.
Yet the 40-cap Brazil maestro has not always provided the link between the Irons’ midfield and attack that Moyes may have expected.
Paqueta has delighted Moyes with his recent goals
It took Paqueta 11 Premier League matches to open his account while offering West Ham two assists in that period.
Paqueta followed his first goal in claret and blue on January 4 by scoring again on February 4. But he has scored in the Hammers’ past two games this month.
Paqueta has delighted Moyes by scoring in successive Premier League appearances against AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool.
His efforts against the Cherries and Reds also came from open play. Paqueta had converted a penalty against Leeds United and scored a tap-in against Newcastle United.
“I think he’s beginning to get used to the Premier League because it takes time to settle,” Moyes said, via quotes by Sky Sports.
“I think he still has a bit to go. But I have to say, it is great he is getting some goals for us recently. It has helped us a lot.”
The Brazilian’s goals could save West Ham from relegation
Moyes will now hope Paqueta’s goals continue to help West Ham while they look to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Paqueta helped the Irons build momentum with their second goal at Bournemouth and broke the deadlock against Liverpool.
West Ham could not hold on and lost to Liverpool. But they enter the weekend five points clear of the drop zone.
The Irons also have one game in hand on Leicester City, Everton and Southampton in the bottom three, plus Leeds and Nottingham Forest.
Paqueta now continuing his fine form could prove to be the fuel that saves West Ham from relegation and help to justify the fee they paid Lyon.
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