European nights may have concluded at London Stadium, but Paquetá is ready to take the show on the road, with West Ham United two games from a memorable UEFA Europa Conference League triumph.
Like everyone in Claret and Blue, the Brazil international hopes a trip to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday will be the penultimate curtain call of this European campaign. The dancing midfielder Paquetá is seeking to jig his way to a UEFA Conference League final come June 7.
There is work to be done yes, but the No11 is confident. A 2-1 home win over AZ last week puts the Club in prime position to reach a first European final in 47 years when West Ham travel to the Netherlands for the second leg of our UECL semi-final on Thursday.
“We’ll do everything to win this semi-final because it’s our chance to get a trophy and make history for the Club,” Paquetá enthused.
“I’m happy. I feel more and more adapted to the team, I understand the players on the field. I think it’s important to have this rapport and understanding the other players, and your teammates.”
And such rapport has been evident in recent weeks when Paquetá has more than shown his class in Claret and Blue, whether quick stepping through opposition shirts or finding the net with a neat swing of his left boot.
Majestic performances against Manchester United, KAA Gent, and Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth have shown a player more than finding his feet. Eight of his ten West Ham goal contributions coming after the turn of the year are further evidence of just that.
From a streak of stirring showings, Paquetá’s goal and two assists in the 4-1 win over Gent last month epitomised what has been a captivating run of form for the No11. Let us face it, the smile on his face, when celebrating, showed that he knew it too: West Ham have a baller in their ranks.
“In that match, I think that I had planned with Nayef [Aguerd] that when I’d scored my next goal we would do a little dance,” Paquetá, who helped Brazil to the last eight of the 2022 World Cup finals, adds, on his celebration back in April.
“When I scored, I looked at Nayef and he said to me: “Shall we do the dance?”, and I said: “Of course!”.
We ended up dancing and celebrating the goal, and ultimately won the match. People have a special fondness for seeing me dance and celebrating the goals, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Ahead of such a big occasion, there is a temptation to do things differently, although Paquetá is adamant it will be more the same.
Just as it has been all season, his routine is set. Thursday, he states, is no different.
“Like the other matches, there are some things I usually do. I pray, I ask for help, and I thank God beforehand, that’s something I do a lot. I ask for help, but I say thanks at the same time. Because, this way, I believe God will bless me and everything will always work out.
“When I get to the field, I ask God to make me happy, so that I can make the most of the gift he’s given me. He’s got the rest.”
