Amid mounting speculation regarding a potential move to Aston Villa, Graham Potter needed only one word when asked if Lucas Paqueta would leave West Ham United before Monday’s transfer deadline.
And, to quote captain Jarrod Bowen, ‘don’t believe everything you read’.
It was suggested in a pre-match build up dominated by the Brazil international’s future, that Lucas Paqueta would not travel to the City Ground on Sunday.
Fabrizio Romano said Aston Villa were ‘closing in’ after lodging a bid worth £47 million. Not quite ‘here we go’, to use Romano’s infamous catchphrase, but ‘here we go soon’.
But not only did Lucas Paqueta travel before West Ham stunned Nottingham Forest with three goals in the space of seven minutes at the death, he also started, scored, and picked up Sky Sports’ Man of the Match award.
In a post-match press conference far happier than he is used to, meanwhile, Graham Potter left no one in any doubt about how he feels regarding Paqueta’s future.
Graham Potter insists West Ham United will not sell Lucas Paqueta to Aston Villa
While Matthew Upson described Jarrod Bowen’s opener as ‘world-class’ – the skipper fizzed a glorious finish past Matz Sels to spark a late blitz on the banks of the Trent – it was Paqueta the former West Ham defender labelled the game’s standout performer.
His finest display in recent memory, certainly. And, as far as Potter is concerned, far from the last in a West Ham shirt.
“The noise has been around Lucas for a long time and the way he conducts himself is incredible,” the manager said. “He gave everything for the team again today and contributed with a goal and the win.
When pressed on whether Paqueta would still be a Hammer on September 2nd, meanwhile, Potter responded with a resounding “yes”.
“Don’t believe everything you read online,” Bowen added, in conversation with BBC Sport. “Some people didn’t think he’d turn up and play.
“But he turned up and scored.”
While West Ham have a new favourite in Mateus Fernandes – the £40 million acquisition thrown straight into the starting XI and forming an immediate understanding with Paqueta – Crysencio Summerville and Callum Wilson made invaluable contributions off the substitutes’ bench.
Summerville set up Bowen’s opener, won the penalty Paqueta converted, and then played a major role in the third as Wilson headed home a delightful El Hadji Malick Diouf cross.
Potter and Jarrod Bowen delighted with Nottingham Forest thrashing
It’s funny what one win can do. Suddenly, West Ham can go into the final day of the window – and the September international break – with a great deal more confidence in that extensive summer rebuild.
“It was 0-0 for so long and we stuck at it,” Bowen smiles, the captain opening his account for 2025/26 just days after he found himself at the centre of a flashpoint at Molineux. “We got three goals but it could have been a lot more.
“I thought we defended well and limited them in terms of chances. They’re a really good side, they’ve got Europe and were flying last season. They didn’t score and we scored three. We deserved our win.
“When things aren’t going and you’re captain… I’m someone who cares about this club,” he adds, reflecting on the row he had with one irate supporter following the 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat by Wolves.
“I play with my heart and these things happen. I play with passion and loyalty. It’s never personal with fans, it’s all for the love of the club. Today, [it is important] to have that exchange with them in a positive manner before the international break.
“When those good times come, you enjoy them a lot.”
Potter, meanwhile, was keen to deflect any post-match praise onto those who performed their roles so impressively on the field.
“I have been a manager for 15 years. [I am] relatively competent sometimes! But it’s the players,” Potter said, a weight lifted off his shoulders. “It’s their day today. They’ve carried out the [game plan] in a really good way. We restricted Forest and carried a threat ourselves.
“There is no doubt about Jarrod. We know how much he loves the club, how much he cares. He’s a fantastic captain. It’s great he gets the moment in front of the supporters who love him.”
