Darren Bent tells West Ham exactly what to do with Lucas Paqueta in brutal ‘4/10’ claim

Lucas Paquetá’s short-term future at West Ham United has become one of the biggest talking points surrounding the club.

With the Hammers already facing plenty of challenges, reports suggest Paquetá is now pushing for a move away during the January transfer window, with Flamengo showing strong interest in the Brazilian.

Paquetá remains a polarising figure among the fanbase. There is no doubt about his technical ability or his capacity to produce moments of brilliance, but those flashes have arguably been too infrequent.

While the 28-year-old will always be remembered fondly for the perfectly weighted through ball to Jarrod Bowen in the Conference League final, the argument that he consistently changes games for West Ham is far from convincing.

It is easy to understand why opinions are split, with some supporters keen for him to stay while others would be happy to see him sold.

Former England striker Darren Bent firmly sits in the latter camp. Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent acknowledged that a player of Paquetá’s calibre could be useful in a relegation fight, but he still believes West Ham should cash in.

Bent argued that once a player’s desire to leave becomes clear, there is little sense in trying to hold on to them. “I’d rather have someone with less ability who genuinely wants to be there and will give 100 per cent every week, than someone capable of a 9/10 but who’s been a 4/10 for most of the season,” he said.

When asked about Paquetá’s celebration against Nottingham Forest, which appeared to signal loyalty to the club, Bent was unimpressed. “It’s embarrassing,” he said, before adding: “This is the moment West Ham need him most, and he’s decided to say, ‘This isn’t for me.’”

Although Paquetá had originally planned to leave in the summer of 2026, his apparent push for an earlier exit risks turning supporters against him.

One of the most frustrating claims from outside the West Ham fanbase is that Paquetá is the club’s standout player — a creative force who regularly decides matches.

On his day, that case can be made, but it ignores the number of performances where he has drifted through games.

In fact, the last time Paquetá single-handedly won a match for West Ham was with his goal against Fulham in January 2024. Since then, he has not scored a decisive, game-winning goal.

While he has contributed in other ways, it has hardly been the output of a player clearly superior to everyone else in the squad.

Although West Ham would be justified in demanding a substantial fee, there is little evidence at present to suggest the team would be significantly weaker without him as they prepare for the battles ahead.