Graham Potter insists Lucas Paqueta is ‘happy and committed' to West Ham

Telegraph

4 days ago

Graham Potter has insisted Lucas Paqueta is 'happy and committed' to West Ham after the Brazil midfielder was cleared of alleged breaches of the Football Association's betting regulations.
Paqueta was facing a potential life ban before having his name cleared this week of the spot-fixing sting that had hung over him for two years.
The situation ended Paqueta's hopes of a big money move to Manchester City.
But despite rumours the Brazilian could leave West Ham before the close of the transfer window, Potter is firmly hoping he stays.
'These things you never know for sure, obviously, because anything can happen in the window with anybody,' the West Ham manager said.
'But at the same time, the news that we've had is just incredibly positive, because if it had gone the other way, there's a whole other line of questions.
'Lucas is happy, Lucas is committed, Lucas is an important person in the dressing room, an important person in the club.
'We love him and we just wanted to help him enjoy his football.'
Paqueta's lawyer Alastair Campbell, a partner at the law firm Level, said the case had taken a heavy toll on Paqueta and effectively cost him a Premier League title winner's medal. He was on the brink of a £85m move to City when the charges were announced in August 2023.
Campbell said: 'Lucas' life has basically been on hold for the last two years. He woke up every morning with the fear that this could be the day when his career was going to be over. Of course, Lucas is delighted with the outcome of the commission - but what shouldn't be forgotten is that there is an alternative universe where he moves to Manchester City and now has a Premier League winner's medal.
'The strain he has been under since the charges were announced in August 2023 has been incredible. That's something that shouldn't be forgotten in all of this. This case has come at a considerable cost to Lucas, both as a person and as a professional footballer.'
Potter said there was little doubt about how difficult the process has been for Paqueta. 'You can imagine how hard it was on a personal level for him, having to fight those allegations, which he's done,' he said.
'The club have supported him through that.
'But again, you forget these guys are Premier League footballers competing at the highest level and to have that as well in the background was an incredible challenge for him.
'It's been a really tough period of his life and his career, so it's a credit to him and his family and everybody connected with him and the support he's had, that he's come through.
'Obviously, if that's a benefit to him, then it's going to be a benefit to us, the team and the club.'
Potter, who has signed former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson on a free transfer, confirmed Michail Antonio will not be part of his first team squad after recovering from his car crash.
The Jamaica striker, 35, faced a potential career-ending leg operation after a car crash in December but played for his adopted nation in this summer's Gold Cup. He is now out of contract.