Chelsea have become an unexpected candidate for West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá. Brazilian journalist Renan Moura says that the Blues are thinking about making a move for the 28-year-old playmaker. The possible transfer could be Liam Rosenior’s first signing as head coach since taking over on January 6. However, the west London club will have to compete with Flamengo, who are willing to pay around €40 million to bring the Brazilian back to his home country.
Paquetá wants to leave West Ham this month and would like to go back to Flamengo, the team where he started his professional career. The attacking midfielder has played 61 times for the Brazilian national team and has extensive experience in Europe, having played for AC Milan, Lyon, and West Ham. The Hammers don’t want to sell one of their best players because they are in a desperate fight to stay in the Premier League, where they are currently 18th, seven points from safety.
But sources around Paquetá think he should stay in Europe because he is only 28. Chelsea, Tottenham, and Aston Villa have all looked into the possibility of signing the midfielder this month. However, recent reports say that Paquetá has turned down offers from Premier League clubs, making it clear that he wants to join Flamengo.
The proposed move is a big change from how Chelsea have been hiring players lately. Under their current ownership, the Blues have stuck to a strict policy of only hiring the best young players in the world. They have spent a lot of money on young players like Estêvão Willian, Alejandro Garnacho, and Cole Palmer. Paquetá, who will be 29 next season, doesn’t fit that mold.
Will Chelsea Mix Young and Old Players?
Chelsea’s possible interest in Lucas Paquetá could mean a change in Liam Rosenior’s approach to transfers. For the last three and a half years, the Blues have been putting together a team that is mostly made up of young players. They have focused on potential over proven experience in the transfer market.
Chelsea are in eighth place in the Premier League right now, and this season they haven’t been very consistent. Since the BlueCo consortium took over the club in May 2022, there have been six different managers in the dugout. Rosenior is the most recent one, taking over after Enzo Maresca left on New Year’s Day.
The new owners’ hiring plan has mostly focused on signing highly rated young players to long-term contracts, which means they often miss out on experienced players who could make an immediate difference. Signing Paquetá would be a clear break from this method, as he is a midfielder with a lot of experience in the Premier League and internationally who could go right into the starting XI.
