Graham Potter expresses confidence that Lucas Paqueta will remain at West Ham amid transfer rumors linking him to Aston Villa. West Ham secured a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, with Paqueta scoring a penalty and celebrating passionately. Potter praises Paqueta’s professionalism, while Jarrod Bowen dismisses the transfer speculation. Nottingham Forest manager Nuno faces uncertainty after the defeat, with discussions planned with the club owner. The match highlighted West Ham’s resilience and Nottingham Forest’s struggles.
West Ham United's recent 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground was not just a crucial win to kickstart their Premier League season, but also a statement of intent regarding the future of their star midfielder, Lucas Paqueta. Amid swirling rumors linking the Brazilian international with a move to Aston Villa, West Ham head coach Graham Potter has expressed his confidence that Paqueta will remain at the club.
The Hammers secured the much-needed win with a late surge, scoring three goals in a span of seven minutes. Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, followed by Paqueta doubling the lead from the penalty spot. Callum Wilson then sealed the victory with a header in stoppage time. Paqueta's successful penalty conversion marked his sixth consecutive successful penalty in the Premier League for West Ham, maintaining a perfect 100% record from the spot, showcasing his composure and reliability in high-pressure situations.
The speculation surrounding Paqueta's potential move to Aston Villa has been persistent in the media. However, the player's passionate celebration after scoring, which involved tapping and kissing the West Ham badge, seemed to send a clear message of his commitment to the club and its supporters. This gesture was particularly significant, given the backdrop of transfer rumors and the uncertainty they can create.
Potter lauded Paqueta's performance and attitude amid the transfer speculation. "The noise has been around Lucas for a long time, and the way he conducts himself is incredible. He gave everything for the team again today and contributed with a goal and the win," Potter stated. His comments underscored the player's professionalism and dedication, despite the external distractions.
When directly asked if Paqueta would stay at West Ham, Potter responded affirmatively: "Yes. It’s what we’re here for – to win and prove we have the quality and prove we are a team. We can enjoy the next couple of days and prepare when the boys are back [from the international break]." Potter's confidence reflects the club's determination to retain their key players and build on their recent success.
Echoing Potter's sentiments, Jarrod Bowen dismissed the transfer rumors, urging fans not to believe everything they read online. "Some people didn’t think he’d turn up and play, but he turned up and scored," Bowen said, highlighting Paqueta's unwavering focus and commitment to the team. Bowen also acknowledged the team's need to improve their form after a slow start to the season.
"The start of the season hasn’t been what we wanted. It’s down to us to change those fortunes. We can’t get too worked up about it because we have quality and resilience," Bowen added. He emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and working together to achieve their goals. "It was 0-0 for so long, and we stuck at it. 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 didn’t score, and we scored three. We deserved our win."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the pitch, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno faces an uncertain future after the defeat. The club's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, is expected to hold discussions with Nuno to address the team's performance and strategize for the remainder of the season. "We will have a conversation looking for the best," Nuno said. "We have to talk and address things. This result doesn’t help things, but we have to address what the club needs."
Nuno acknowledged the challenges his team faces and emphasized the need for improvement. "My job now is to help the team. We have a challenge, and we must enjoy and play better football. It’s a sad day. We are upset, but we have a second chance to make it right." He also lamented his team's lack of urgency and attacking threat throughout the match.
The defeat marked Nottingham Forest's heaviest Premier League loss since a significant defeat to Manchester United in 1999 and Nuno’s biggest loss as a Premier League coach. "It’s a difficult day for me. We have to make sure it doesn’t happen again," he added. Despite the setback, Nuno expressed hope that the international break would provide an opportunity to work with the remaining players and address the team's weaknesses.
"From the beginning of the game, we didn’t show the urgency this game required. We should have done much more," he said. "The second half was bad. We got unbalanced, and the urgency to chase the result and not be careful [took over]. It was a shock. The first half was balanced. It required more speed. We were too slow. That was the idea for the second half, but it came the other way around."
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— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 31, 2025