Nuno says West Ham need more from Paqueta amid transfer links
Manchester United are the latest club to be linked with a move for Lucas Paqueta, who has an important role to play for West Ham.
Nuno Espirito Santo says struggling West Ham need more from attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who continues to be linked with a move away from the London Stadium.
On Friday, it was confirmed that Paqueta had avoided being fined by the Football Association over his failure to comply with an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing.
Paqueta was cleared of four charges of deliberately being booked in July, and he has now been warned about his future conduct.
The Brazilian has started all nine of West Ham's Premier League games this season, scoring two goals, but the Irons sit 19th in the table with just four points on the board.
He was strongly linked with a move to Aston Villa during the most recent transfer window, and in recent days, reports emerged that he could be a target for Manchester United in January.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's game against Newcastle United, Nuno said he had held a private conversation with Paqueta to outline his increased demands.
"The noise [about the match-fixing investigation] doesn't help. Finally it ends, but at the same time there are rumours around," Nuno said.
"We have to protect ourselves and work in the best way. He's going to play on Sunday and help his team-mates.
"I've spoken to him about many things. We need Lucas. I told him personally and the squad that being a number 10 is more than a number. It's a symbol.
"That's what we need from Lucas. We need him to help his team-mates, because they trust him. We know there is more to come from him, and we need him as a number 10."
Paqueta has created the most chances (13) of any West Ham player in the Premier League this season, with nine of those coming from open play.
His 115 successful passes into the final third, meanwhile, are more than twice as many as any other Hammers player, with second-placed Jarrod Bowen recording 62.
