West Ham United manager Graham Potter has finally spoken out about Lucas Paquetá's future at the club, following the resolution of the Brazilian midfielder's two-year spot-fixing ordeal.
The 26-year-old playmaker, who joined the Hammers in a club-record £51 million deal from Lyon in 2022, has been cleared of all charges by the Football Association after a lengthy investigation into alleged betting irregularities.
Potter's Verdict on Paquetá's Role
"Lucas has been through an incredibly challenging period," Potter told reporters. "Now that this chapter is closed, we can focus on football. He's an important player for us, and we're looking forward to seeing him contribute fully this season."
The manager's comments come as a significant boost for Paquetá, whose career had been in limbo during the investigation. The Brazilian international was facing a potential ten-year ban if found guilty of deliberately earning yellow cards to influence betting markets.
What This Means for West Ham
With the cloud lifted, West Ham can now properly integrate their creative talisman into Potter's system. The former Chelsea manager added: "His quality is undeniable. We've seen glimpses of what he can do, and now he has the chance to show it consistently."
Paquetá's return to full availability comes at a crucial time for the Hammers, who are looking to improve on last season's ninth-place finish. His technical ability and vision could be key to unlocking defences in Potter's more possession-based approach.
The Road Ahead
While the legal battle may be over, questions remain about how quickly Paquetá can regain his best form after such a prolonged period of uncertainty. However, teammates have reportedly welcomed him back enthusiastically, with captain Kurt Zouma describing him as "like a new signing."
As West Ham prepare for their Premier League opener against Aston Villa, all eyes will be on whether Paquetá makes Potter's starting XI – and how he responds to finally having his future settled.
