Pulisic's Struggles, Paquetá's Fallout: The Unfair Price of Talent in English Football

The Fall of a World-Class Midfielder

I’ve spent years analyzing midfield dynamics across the Premier League and Champions League—what makes them tick, how they break down. But nothing shocks me more than what happened to Lucas Paquetá.

Once hailed as Brazil’s most promising central playmaker since Ronaldinho, he was supposed to be the engine behind West Ham’s rebuild. Instead? He’s now playing out of position, his confidence shattered, his market value reduced to near-zero. And the club? They offered him £1 million in compensation for years of service and elite-level performance.

Yes, you read that right.

It wasn’t just bad tactics—it was bad stewardship.

A Player Lost to Mismanagement

Paquetá wasn’t just talented; he was intelligent. His vision, passing range, and ability to control tempo made him stand out even among elite peers. But at West Ham, he was forced into roles that didn’t suit him—shuttling sideways instead of orchestrating from deep.

The club didn’t adjust their system around him—they expected him to adapt to theirs.

And when he couldn’t? He was labeled ‘inconsistent.’ Not because he failed—but because the system failed him.

This is where data analysis meets human cost. We can track xG maps and pass accuracy all day long—but when a player loses belief after being underused for two seasons while being paid like an average starter? That’s not analytics. That’s negligence.

The Ripple Effect on Brazilian Football

Now here’s where it gets darker: Brazil had no choice but to reshuffle its midfield structure after Paquetá’s decline. They moved Éder Militão back into midfield—no experience—and shifted Rodrigo de Paul into more advanced roles despite his natural position being deeper.

But worst of all? They tried inserting Édison Ceballos (referred to as ‘Cunha’ here) into the number 10 role—a player built for defensive contribution—not creativity.

That move alone tells you everything about how badly they’re improvising now that their last true playmaker is broken.

You can’t replace genius with compromise—or expect national success from tactical desperation.

What Does This Say About English Football?

Let me be clear: this isn’t just about one club or one transfer fee. It’s about culture—about how we value talent in England today. Are we really saying that someone who plays in top-tier leagues globally deserves only £1 million after five seasons at the highest level? That doesn’t reflect market reality—that reflects institutional indifference. When clubs treat world-class players like temporary contractors instead of investment pillars… well, then you get results like this: mediocrity masked as strategy, systemic inefficiency dressed up as evolution, an entire generation left wondering if football still rewards excellence—or just loyalty at minimum wage rates.

Paquetá may not return to peak form—but let us hope his story sparks real change: better systems, bolder recruitment decisions, decent compensation for those who carry teams through thick and thin—not just during contract negotiations but throughout careers. The game deserves better than scraps thrown at its best minds.