Sport nationSickening Cole Palmer Reality for West Ham as Sulky Lucas Paqueta Hits New Low while Chelsea Star Shines
The Premier League’s Saturday fixtures saw two vastly different realities unfold in west London. While West Ham United struggled to a 1-1 draw against Brentford, Chelsea thrashed Brighton 4-2 at Stamford Bridge. This stark contrast highlighted the disappointing state of West Ham’s affairs, particularly in light of their failed pursuit of Cole Palmer.
West Ham’s underwhelming start to life under Julen Lopetegui continued, with early pressure mounting on the manager. Despite facing a Brentford side ravaged by an eight-player injury crisis, the Hammers couldn’t secure a much-needed win. Their toothless attack has become a major concern, and the upcoming return of Niclas Fullkrug after the international break may provide some relief.
However, other West Ham players must step up to address the team’s attacking woes. Lucas Paqueta, in particular, has been woefully underperforming since the turn of the year. His statistics are nowhere near good enough for a player of his caliber. Paqueta’s sulky reaction to being substituted against Brentford was telling, as he shook his head and expressed discontent at Lopetegui.
This behavior from Paqueta has become increasingly concerning, and his replacement, Crysencio Summerville, offered a glimpse of what West Ham is missing. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was busy making history at Stamford Bridge. The young playmaker became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a match.
Palmer’s stunning display brought his tally to six league goals this season, matching West Ham’s total as a team. This stark contrast will have left West Ham’s owners and vice-chair Karren Brady lamenting what could have been. Brady previously revealed that West Ham had agreed to sign Palmer last summer, only for Chelsea to swoop in and snatch him away.
Brady’s words offered a glimpse into the transfer saga: “Cole is as cool a dude in front of goal as Jimmy Greaves himself. Which is probably why David Moyes tried very hard to sign him. We even had a deal agreed with City until Chelsea swooped.” However, Moyes provided further context, revealing that the move was part of a larger deal involving Paqueta’s potential transfer to Manchester City.
Moyes explained, “We were close, very close, to signing Palmer… You can probably imagine the other part of it, where there was a possibility of somebody leaving here which might have made that work. I was in regular contact with his agent, and we were well on the road with it, but it just changed at the end, and we couldn’t do it.” The collapse of the deal was attributed to the FA’s investigation into Paqueta’s alleged involvement in spot-fixing.
In hindsight, this transfer saga represents a sliding doors moment for West Ham. Had the deal gone through, Palmer would be playing for the Hammers, and Paqueta would be Manchester City’s concern. West Ham would have also banked £45 million from the transfer. Instead, Chelsea secured Palmer’s services for £40 million, and West Ham is left wondering what could have been.
The consequences of this missed opportunity are evident. West Ham’s attack lacks potency, and Paqueta’s form is a major concern. Meanwhile, Palmer is thriving at Chelsea, and his impressive displays are a constant reminder of West Ham’s failure to secure his signature.
As the season unfolds, West Ham’s struggles under Lopetegui will continue to face scrutiny. The team’s inability to sign Palmer and the subsequent collapse of the Paqueta transfer deal have had far-reaching implications. The Hammers’ European ambitions are fading, and their Premier League prospects look increasingly bleak.
In contrast, Chelsea’s strong start to the season has been bolstered by Palmer’s impressive form. The young playmaker’s history-making performance against Brighton will have sent a warning to the rest of the league. While West Ham laments what could have been, Chelsea is reaping the rewards of securing Palmer’s signature.
The coming weeks will reveal more about West Ham’s resilience and determination. However, with Palmer shining at Chelsea, the Hammers’ missed opportunity will continue to haunt them. The sulky Paqueta and his underperforming teammates must step up to address the team’s attacking woes and revive their dwindling European hopes.
As the Premier League season heats up, West Ham’s struggles will face increased scrutiny. The missed opportunity to sign Palmer serves as a harsh reminder of the team’s transfer failures. With Chelsea thriving and Palmer leading the charge, West Ham’s owners and fans can only wonder what could have been.
Sport nation
