West Ham United Suffer Another Injury Setback as Lucas Paquetá Goes Down in Training
West Ham United’s injury crisis has deepened as key midfielder Lucas Paquetá suffered an ankle injury during training at Rush Green on Tuesday. According to The Standard (18 February 2025), the Brazilian international was forced to leave the session early and appeared visibly distraught as he walked off the pitch. This latest setback comes at a crucial time for the club, as they continue to struggle near the bottom of the Premier League table.
A Major Blow for Graham Potter’s Struggling Side
Since arriving at the London Stadium, Graham Potter has been dealing with a host of injury issues that have severely limited his attacking options. Paquetá, despite being a natural midfielder, has been deployed as an emergency forward in recent weeks due to a lack of fit strikers. His injury will force Potter to reshuffle an already depleted squad, adding even more pressure to an already difficult situation.
Potter is already without two of his primary attacking options, Niclas Füllkrug and Crysencio Summerville, both of whom are ruled out until after next month’s international break. The long-term absence of Michail Antonio, following his car accident in 2024, has left West Ham with very few options up front. Paquetá’s injury further exacerbates the crisis, leaving the Irons short on creativity and goal threat.
The Importance of Lucas Paquetá to West Ham
Since his arrival from Lyon, Paquetá has become one of West Ham’s most influential players. Alongside Mohammed Kudus and club captain Jarrod Bowen, he has been one of the team’s standout performers, bringing flair and vision to the midfield. His ability to dictate play and contribute to attacking moves has been invaluable, particularly in a season where the club has struggled for consistency.
Paquetá’s absence will undoubtedly leave a significant void in the team. Even though James Ward-Prowse is returning from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest and will add depth to the midfield, he does not provide the same level of creativity or attacking impetus that Paquetá brings. With West Ham currently languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, losing a player of his quality at such a crucial time could prove disastrous.
Who Steps Up in Paquetá’s Absence?
The injury crisis means that Potter will have to find an alternative solution quickly. The arrival of Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in January provides one option. The young Irish striker has shown promise but has yet to fully establish himself in the Premier League. With Danny Ings as the only other senior forward available, Ferguson could now be thrust into a leading role much sooner than expected.
West Ham may also need to rely more heavily on Mohammed Kudus, who has already stepped up in key moments this season. Bowen, too, will have to take on more responsibility in attack, possibly even shifting into a central role if needed. Potter may also consider tactical changes, such as deploying a false nine system, in an attempt to cope with the injury crisis.
Tough Fixtures Ahead
Paquetá’s injury comes at an inopportune time, with West Ham facing some critical fixtures in the coming weeks. They are set to take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 22 February, in what will be a massive test for Potter’s side. The Gunners are currently pushing for the Premier League title, and without Paquetá, West Ham’s chances of causing an upset look slim.
Following that, they host Leicester City at the London Stadium on Thursday, 27 February. This match could be a must-win fixture, given West Ham’s precarious position in the table. With points desperately needed to avoid slipping further into a relegation battle, the timing of Paquetá’s injury could hardly be worse.
A Season Hanging in the Balance
West Ham’s form has been inconsistent at best this season, and the growing injury list is making matters even more difficult. With Paquetá now potentially sidelined, the team’s hopes of climbing away from the relegation scrap have taken another hit. Potter and his coaching staff will be anxiously awaiting further medical assessments, hoping that the injury is not as serious as initially feared.
For West Ham fans, the next few weeks could be a defining period in their season. If they can navigate these challenges and pick up crucial points, they may still have a chance of turning things around. However, if the injury crisis continues to worsen, they could find themselves in an even deeper struggle to maintain their Premier League status.
As the club awaits official confirmation on the severity of Paquetá’s injury, all eyes will be on Potter to see how he adapts to yet another setback in what has been a difficult campaign for West Ham United.