‘He worked very hard’: Julen Lopetegui seriously impressed by £36.5m West Ham United player vs Bournemouth | OneFootball

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has given his verdict on the performance of Lucas Paqueta against Bournemouth on Monday evening.

The Hammers played out a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth away from home at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League.

Paqueta scored for West Ham. It came in the 87th minute from the penalty spot.

Konstantinos Mavropanos’s reckless challenge on the edge of the West Ham penalty box gave away a free-kick to Bournemouth three minutes later. Enes Unal scored from it to make it 1-1.

Julen Lopetegui gives verdict on Lucas Paqueta

After the match, Lopetegui praised Paqueta and noted how well the £36.5 million (BBC Sport) Brazil international attacking midfielder played in the game.

Lopetegui told West Ham’s official website about Paqueta: “I think Lucas has worked very well, he scored a penalty which is never easy and above all he worked very hard in the match.

“It was not easy for him because he didn’t start the last two matches in the lineup, but tonight he showed that he is always ready to help the team.”

View: Paqueta can play a big role for West Ham this season

It has not been the best of seasons for Paqueta. The 27-year-old, who can also operate as a winger, has had it tough.

Paqueta has found himself out of Lopetegui’s starting line-up and has also lost his place in the Brazil national football team.

The playmaker has made 18 appearances for the Hammers so far this season. He has scored three goals in those games. Of those matches, 13 have been starts in the Premier League.

The Brazilian found the back of the net eight times and provided seven assists in 43 competitive matches for West Ham last season.

It is not just Paqueta who has not been great for the Hammers this season. West Ham as a team have not been particularly brilliant.

Jarrod Bowen has been the Hammers’ best player this season, but we are still only in mid-December. There is every chance that Paqueta could step up his game and turn on the style for the London club in the coming weeks and months.

Against Bournemouth, Paqueta started on the right wing in a 4-1-4-1 formation. He took three shots and played three key passes, according to WhoScored.

The Brazilian star had a pass accuracy of 73%, won one header and took 51 touches. Paqueta made one interception and two clearances. He put in three crosses as well.