The tension is palpable at Molineux Stadium as West Ham United prepare to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in a fixture that could prove pivotal in the relegation battle. With both teams desperate for points, the Hammers have been dealt a major blow: Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta is officially out of the squad due to a late injury, leaving manager Nuno Espirito Santo scrambling for solutions in one of the season’s most crucial matches.
All week, speculation swirled around Paqueta’s availability. The 28-year-old has been a mainstay for West Ham this season, starting 17 Premier League matches and notching four goals. After a rollercoaster performance in the 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion—where he scored, assisted, and conceded a penalty—Paqueta was expected to bring his creative spark to the Molineux pitch. But as kickoff approached, hopes faded. According to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, "Lucas Paqueta [is] a major doubt to start for West Ham today. Awaiting team news, but every chance he won’t be able to play full game against Wolves. Big blow if they’re without him."
When the official team sheets dropped, the worst fears were confirmed: Paqueta was not even on the bench. His absence, due to a back problem, forced Nuno Espirito Santo into a tactical rethink. The manager, already under intense scrutiny with West Ham languishing in 18th place after an eight-game winless run, now faced the challenge of reshuffling his lineup against a Wolves side still searching for their first Premier League win of the season.
Filling the creative void left by Paqueta is no easy task. Crysencio Summerville, who has struggled for form in recent weeks, was named in the starting eleven. While Summerville offers pace and directness down the flanks, he lacks the playmaking flair that Paqueta brings to the midfield. As one report noted, "If Paqueta is out, Crysencio Summerville will start despite recent poor form. The bench lacks pace, creativity, and finishing ability aside from new signing Pablo Felipe and Tomas Soucek and young George Earthy."
The bench, indeed, looks light on game-changers. West Ham’s new £17.4 million signing, Pablo Felipe, begins his Premier League journey as a substitute. The 21-year-old, recently acquired from Gil Vicente, has been described as an “extraordinary” talent, but Nuno opted for the experience of Callum Wilson up front, keeping Pablo in reserve for a potential impact role. The Hammers faithful are eager to see if Pablo can make a difference should he be called upon. As anticipation builds, one fan quipped, "Will this be a dream debut for supersub Pablo?"
Elsewhere in the squad, West Ham are still without center-back Jean-Clair Todibo, sidelined by a groin strain. However, the Frenchman’s injury is considered minor, and he is expected back soon. In Todibo’s absence, Konstantinos Mavropanos partners Max Kilman at the heart of defense, while Kyle Walker-Peters, who was a fitness doubt earlier in the week, is fit enough to start. The team also continues to miss El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both away representing their nations at the Africa Cup of Nations.
There is a silver lining for the Hammers in the form of Ollie Scarles. The young midfielder, who impressed Nuno Espirito Santo during the midweek draw against Brighton, earns his third consecutive Premier League start. Nuno was effusive in his praise, and Scarles’ energy could be vital in a match where West Ham need every ounce of inspiration they can muster.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Both teams are mired in the bottom reaches of the table, and the match has been dubbed a “relegation six-pointer.” For West Ham, the pressure is mounting. Nuno Espirito Santo, who faces his former club, knows that a failure to secure three points could deepen the crisis enveloping the East Londoners. The manager’s recent decisions and tactical approach have come under fire, with supporters and pundits alike questioning whether he can halt the alarming slide.
Wolves, for their part, have endured a torrid campaign. Despite flashes of promise, they remain winless in the Premier League. The lack of victories has left them rooted to the bottom, and the visit of a struggling West Ham side represents a golden opportunity to finally break their duck. Yet, with both teams so desperate for a turnaround, nerves are sure to play a part.
The absence of Paqueta is a bitter pill for West Ham to swallow. His ability to unlock defenses and dictate play has been sorely missed whenever he is unavailable. Against Brighton, even as he erred with a penalty concession, he proved his worth by directly contributing to both West Ham goals. Without him, much will depend on Summerville’s willingness to seize the moment and on the midfield’s ability to support the attack.
Should the match remain deadlocked late on, all eyes will turn to Pablo Felipe. The young Brazilian could be handed his debut just over 24 hours after putting pen to paper, potentially partnering Callum Wilson if Nuno opts for a late tactical shift. The risk is obvious—throwing a new signing into the heat of a relegation battle—but so is the potential reward. As one analysis put it, "Another option would be to give a debut to new addition Pablo... However, that would be a risk, throwing the attacker in at the deep end, and it would also need a formation change, with the 21-year-old partnering Callum Wilson upfront."
As the teams take to the field, the atmosphere is electric. West Ham fans, anxious yet hopeful, know that a positive result could be the catalyst for a revival. Wolves supporters, too, sense that their long-awaited first victory might finally be within reach. The match is still ongoing, and with so much at stake, every tackle, pass, and shot carries extra weight.
One thing is certain: the outcome at Molineux will have major implications for both clubs’ survival hopes. With Lucas Paqueta sidelined, West Ham must find inspiration from new sources if they are to halt their slide and climb out of the relegation zone. For now, the drama unfolds—and the Premier League’s relegation battle has rarely felt more intense.
