They say it takes two to tango. Well, Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta are very much dancing to the same tune, forging a blossoming partnership in recent weeks that has elevated West Ham’s game.
The two summer recruits have taken time to settle in, owing largely to David Moyes’ policy of bedding in with care and caution, but they have struck up a near-telepathic understanding across the last few games, and West Ham are reaping the rewards.
Gianluca Scamacca news: Lucas Paqueta’s new ‘dance partner’
- Scamacca has revealed he’s relishing his new “connection” with Paqueta at West Ham (click here for full quotes).
- Paqueta has provided two assists in as many games for Scamacca against Anderlecht & Fulham.
- Paqueta regularly performs dance routine celebrations with Neymar for Brazil, but appears to have struck up a new on-field relationship.
- West Ham face Anderlecht in the UECL on Thursday & Sky Bet are offering enhance odds of 12/1 for Scamacca to score 2+ goals
The Hammers have flattered to deceive for much of 2022/23, losing games to Nottingham Forest, Everton and Brighton, but they are currently on a three-game winning streak in all competitions, and Paqueta and Scamacca have been the emblematic players of that turnaround.
Last weekend, the towering Italian bagged his first Premier League goal with a sensational strike against Wolves as West Ham sealed a 2-0 win, before coming off the bench to bag the winner against Anderlecht in last week’s Europa Conference League tie, and finally scoring a sublime chip in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Fulham.
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Paqueta assisted his new Italian team-mate on two of those occasions; there is a tangible synergy between the two summer signings that’s evident for anyone watching. Beyond the assists, there link up play has give a new dimension to Moyes’ attack — and Scamacca is relishing the relationship.
Speaking on his partnership with Paqueta, the Italian said: “Lucas Paqueta and I have a good connection.
“It’s one we also have with [Jarrod] Bowen, [Declan] Rice, and everyone in the team all together.
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“We found a good solution to going behind today, but Lucas is a brilliant player and it’s a pleasure to play to him.”
It’s a different link-up to the one Paqueta is used to at international level, where he regularly links up with PSG superstar Neymar. The two combine well in tandem for Brazil, and they often perform a synchronised post-goal dance celebration, a passion of Paqueta’s.
“I love to dance, I’ve always loved it,” Lucas Paqueta has previously told L’Equipe. “My celebration is my trademark, I’ve always done that – it’s a funk step. I love funk.”
West Ham are yet to see that “funk step” in action as Paqueta’s West Ham account remains closed for now — he will no doubt be itching to score his first goal for the Hammers sooner rather than latter. But, for now, though, he remains Scamacca’s creative provider, his new ‘dance partner’.