West Ham boss Graham Potter confident in Lucas Paqueta commitment as Michail Antonio excluded
West Ham manager Graham Potter affirms Lucas Paqueta’s dedication after his FA exoneration, but confirms veteran striker Michail Antonio will not feature in his plans this season.
Potter backs Paqueta after FA clearance
West Ham United manager Graham Potter has reaffirmed the club’s belief in midfielder Lucas Paqueta after the 27-year-old was cleared of spot-fixing allegations by the Football Association. The Brazilian faced a potential lifetime ban following an FA investigation into whether he had deliberately received a yellow card to influence betting markets.
Player happy and committed
Speaking at a media conference in Atlanta ahead of the Premier League Summer Series match against Bournemouth, Potter said: "The news is incredibly positive. Lucas is happy and committed. He’s a key figure in our dressing room and at the club, and we’re eager to help him enjoy his football."
Potter highlighted the personal toll the allegations had taken on Paqueta: "Fighting those claims was an immense challenge for him. It’s been a tough period in both his life and career, and credit goes to him, his family and everyone who supported him to come through it."
Antonio not in Potter’s plans
In contrast, Potter confirmed that veteran striker Michail Antonio, whose contract ran out in June, will not be part of his squad for the upcoming season. Following Antonio’s recovery from a serious car accident last December and his return to play for Jamaica in the Gold Cup, Potter’s acquisition of former teammate Callum Wilson on a free transfer effectively leaves Antonio surplus to requirements.
The manager has full confidence in Paqueta’s future at West Ham while Antonio, despite his service and recovery, will not feature in this season’s plans.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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