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It feels like things are going from bad to worse for West Ham United this season.

For example, Nuno Espírito Santo appears unable to buy a win in the Premier League, and now there is talk of Lucas Paqueta leaving.

Losing the Brazilian in the winter window would be terrible for morale, even if he’s not exactly been lighting it up over the last year or so.

However, if he is to leave, there might be an internal solution Nuno can turn to.

Paqueta's record with and without David Moyes

Now, there is no denying the fact that Paqueta is an extraordinarily talented footballer who, on his day, can almost singlehandedly win games.

However, what is equally true is that over the last year or so, he’s not been anywhere near his best.

In fact, from looking at the statistics, it would be fair to say he’s not looked anywhere near his mercurial best since David Moyes left the club.

The Scotsman signed the 28-year-old from Lyon in the summer of 2022.

In that first season under the Scotsman, Paqueta was able to rack up a brilliant tally of 12 goal involvements in 41 games, and even provided the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s Conference League-winning goal.

The following year saw the dynamic game-changer reach his zenith in Calret and Blue, producing 15 goal involvements in just 43 appearances.

However, that summer saw Moyes depart the London Stadium, and since then, the output from his record signing at the club has not been good enough.

25/26

10

3

24/25

36

5

23/24

43

15

22/23

41

12

For example, across 36 appearances in 24/25, the Paquetá-born ace produced just five goal involvements, and so far this season, he’s produced just three in ten appearances.

In short, Paqueta has been nowhere near as effective since Moyes left the club, so there is certainly an argument to be made that selling him might not be a total disaster, especially when there is a youngster in the squad who might be a perfect replacement.

Nuno's internal Paqueta replacement

Now, there is certainly an argument to be made that the best way to replace Paqueta, should he leave, is by signing someone.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

While that might end up being what West Ham does, there is another option: to start giving Luis Guilherme more minutes in the ten position.

Yes, the young Brazilian might be seen as more of a winger, and a raw one at that, but he’s no stranger to playing as an attacking midfielder, and is looked at as one of the more exciting youngsters in the league at the moment.

For example, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described the teenager as a prospect who “still has the world at his feet” and a player who has “similarities to Kudus” in his style of play, specifically the positive ones.

According to Mattinson, the dynamic Brazilian is “a complete profile” blessed with “electric pace” and an “explosive first step” which enables him to “beat a player in a split second.”

He’s not just someone who relies on his physical traits, though, as the former Palmeiras gem has “a killer final ball” and “an awareness of space which helps him to break down teams by identifying and exploiting space in defences.”

It’s not just Mattinson who has high hopes, though.

For example, U23 scout Antonio Mango has stated that starting him in attacking midfield would “suit his profile brilliantly” and that he “just needs confidence and consistent game-time” to show the Irons faithful how good he could be.

Ultimately, Guilherme is still developing and will take some time to reach his peak, but if Paqueta is to leave this season, then the young Brazilian could be the perfect in-house replacement.

West Ham brewing Noble 2.0 who knows "what it means to wear the shirt"

The academy product might be able to add some much-needed fight and heart back into Nuno’s West Ham side.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 28, 2025

Veteran manager Sam Allardyce has voiced his willingness to fill the current vacancy at Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Hired in late 2024, Vitor Pereira guided Wolves away from the relegation zone in the second half of the 2024/25 Premier League season. Across the summer, though, the club sold star players Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha, replacing them with options that, seemingly, are not of the same quality. After 10 league matches without a win, Pereira was sacked by Wolves in early November, despite having signed a new contract earlier in the year.

Since the Portuguese was dismissed, Wolves have been linked with a number of potential replacements. Gary O’Neil, who himself was replaced by Pereira at Molineux, was seemingly in the frame for what would have been a shock return. O’Neil has since taken himself out of the running to be the manager that will try and ensure Wolves’ Premier League safety.

O’Neil, who had a generally solid tenure at Molineux, would have been a bold appointment from the Midlands club, whose search for a new manager is ongoing. As per David Ornstein of The Athletic, Erik ten Hag is “among the other candidates”. The former Man United manager was hired by Bayer Leverkusen to replace Xabi Alonso in the summer but was sacked after just three matches with the German side.

Now, it would appear that an English football icon is open to trying to save Wolves from dropping to the Championship.

Allardyce would be open to Wolves job

As per talkSPORT, Sam Allardyce would be open to taking the current vacancy at Molineux. Having been out of work since his brief stint in charge of Leeds United came to an end in 2023, the veteran said:

Since taking up management in the early 1990s, Allardyce has worked extensively in the past three decades. The Englishman found a lot of success with Bolton between 1999 and 2007, going onto manage sides including Blackburn Rovers, West Ham and the England national team amongst many others.

Games

10

Wins

7

Draws

3

Losses

0

Points per Match

2.40

Across a period of over 20 years, Allardyce is unbeaten in 10 games against Wolves, with games coming during his time at Bolton, Blackburn and West Bromwich Albion.

Though he no longer has a perfect record of avoiding relegation, Allardyce’s reputation could be a leading contributor to what would be a truly sensational return to Premier League management. As he noted, though, it may be that Wolves look for a younger candidate.

Wolves manager target could be their 'new Nuno'

Rumoured Celtic manager target Craig Bellamy has shared praise for one Hoops player who has impressed under Martin O’Neill.

Celtic linked with shock Bellamy move

The Hoops are yet to appoint Brendan Rodgers’ permanent successor, with O’Neill steadying the ship with wins over Falkirk and Rangers.

The Irishman booked Celtic’s place in the Scottish League Cup final at the weekend and there have been class he could stay on until the end of the current campaign due to his relationship with Dermot Desmond.

Wales boss Bellamy has been one of numerous managers linked with the full-time vacancy, though, with those at Parkhead even weighing up contact at the end of October.

Celtic can make Tierney completely unplayable by hiring 4-2-3-1 manager

Bellamy has even spoken out on the rumours of a move to Glasgow, saying: “It’s not on my radar – and it won’t be on my radar. I can understand the links because I played there, [now] I’m coaching, so I definitely understand the links.

“But to me, I love what I’m doing at this present moment. I have to be honest, I’m completely focused on what’s to come. It looks it’s going to be a play-off in March, we know that and to me, that’s all I’m focused on and I know it’s a little bit cliched, but it’s the honest truth.

“I couldn’t want for anything more than what I have at this present moment and that’s where it lies with me.”

Bellamy shares praise for Celtic teenager Callum Osmand

Bellamy also expressed his disappointment that he could not consider Celtic teenager Callum Osmand for Wales selection after a change in the rules around the eligibility of players from the Channel Islands.

Jersey-born forward Osmand was capped by Wales at Under-16 and Under-17 level when players from the Channel Islands were able to represent any of the four Home Nations.

But a change in the rules means players from the Channel Islands – British Crown Dependencies who are not full FIFA or UEFA members – are now only eligible to play for England, and Osmand’s Wales career is at an end as he has no Welsh heritage.

Osmand made a dramatic impact since Celtic interim managers O’Neill and Shaun Maloney came in.

He made his senior debut in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Falkirk and netted his first goal for the club in Sunday’s 3-1 Hampden victory over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final. The 19-year-old has even been added to Celtic’s Europa League squad.