Lucas Paqueta STARTS for West Ham against Chelsea amid an FA investigation into the Brazilian midfielder for potential betting breaches that halted his move to Man City
Lucas Paqueta has been named in the starting lineup as West Ham host Chelsea at the London Stadium.
Hammers boss David Moyes named Paqueta in his midfield alongside a debuting James Ward-Prowse, as the club looked to build on their draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League opener last week.
Meanwhile David Moyes’ other senior signing of the summer, former Ajax star Edson Alvarez was named on the bench.
Paqueta has been persistently linked with a move to Man City, with the Brazil international keen on joining the treble holders.
An initial bid of £60million rising to £70m was rejected by the Hammers, but Pep Guardiola’s side were prepared to produce an improved offer for the former AC Milan star.
Lucas Paqueta was named in the starting lineup for West Ham’s clash with Chelsea
Brazilian was joined in Hammers’ starting XI by debuting summer arrival James Ward-Prowse
The speculation intensified following the news that City talisman Kevin De Bruyne is expected to spend an extended spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury.
However, the midfielder’s move to the Premier League champions stalled earlier this week as Mail Sport revealed the 25-year-old is the subject of an investigation by the FA concerning potential betting breaches, an allegation he denies.
It is believed the investigation centres on bets which were placed with bookmakers in Brazil and that they relate to in-game incidents as opposed to the outcomes of West Ham’s matches.
Sources yesterday also alleged that the alarm was raised when accounts were traced back to Paqueta Island in Guanabara Bay, which is where Paqueta grew up.