West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted that Lucas Paqueta is 'not OK', with the Brazil international set to miss Thursday night's Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Hammers star was sent off for raging at the referee during Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, with the Reds securing victory following goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
Paqueta then released an explosive statement on social media, with the 28-year-old venting at what he described as a two-year ordeal linked to his long-running regulatory case with the Football Association.
Now, speaking on Tuesday, Nuno has provided an update.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The West Ham boss started by revealing that Paqueta had apologised to the rest of his teammates for his dismissal, one that rules him out of the game against Ruben Amorim's team.
“I spoke with Lucas, and he spoke not only with me but with all his teammates," he said.
"First of all he apologised. He’s aware of his mistake. But we as a club, first and foremost protect our own and solve things among ourselves.
Lucas Paqueta was furious after his red card in West Ham's defeat to Liverpool | REUTERS"It was clear that everyone understood that in life everybody is aware that mistakes can happen inside the football pitch.
"Sometimes the emotions sometimes, you can’t control them, but at the same time everybody has a chance [to make up for it].
"So we move forward, Lucas will be out of the game against Man Utd but he will be involved in the next one."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Gary Lineker signs huge deal with former MOTD host set to earn more than his £1.35m-a-year BBC contract
- Former England and Premier League footballer arrested at UK airport on suspicion of attempted rape
- Gary Speed's mother gives heartbreaking interview about football hero 14 years on from tragic death
Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWSNuno then proceeded to worryingly admit that Paqueta was suffering mentally, with the club set to continue to provide support to their star man behind the scenes.
"He is not OK. He is suffering. He is disappointed and upset. But he realises the mistake that he made and he is willing to move forward," added the West Ham coach.
"This is what sometimes people are not aware of the problems that football players endure. But Lucas I think is going to overcome this situation.
"I think it [the investigation] is affecting him but he is willing to move forward, to try and put this aside and continue to play football in the way that he does.
"What I can assure you is that here at the club we have all the support that the players need. We have processes in the club that help and we are willing to provide assistance here in the club."
Paqueta has been linked with a move to Manchester City once again.
Lucas Paquetá issued a blistering response after his dismissal in West Ham’s 2–0 defeat at Liverpool, releasing an emotional 46-word statement condemning football authorities and pundits who had labelled his conduct “ridiculous behaviour” | GETTYPep Guardiola previously eyed a deal in the summer of 2023 but, with the West Ham attacker under investigation for betting offences at the time, nothing materialised.
Nuno is confident that the transfer deal is fully dead in the water at the current moment in time.
He concluded: "I think that is over [the links to Manchester City]. It is finished, that is clear.
"We did what we had to do, we had a good conversation.
"The squad supports Lucas. This is what is more important, that his team-mates recognise and support him. So we move forward.
On whether he believes Paqueta is happy at the London Stadium, despite his dismissal, Nuno added: "Definitely, yes."