Hammers News

A former West Ham United coach has joined the Tottenham coaching staff just before the sides clash in the Premier League on Saturday.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side face a huge game this weekend as West Ham United look to try and pull themselves out of the relegation zone at the home of their bitter rivals.

Claiming a win over Spurs would be particularly sweet for several reasons.

Be honest; how would YOU feel if West Ham swapped Nuno for Thomas Frank?

The Spurs boss has come in for huge criticism…

Any win over them would naturally be widely celebrated among the Hammers faithful, while it would also inflict further misery onto Thomas Frank’s side.

As a former Spurs boss himself, Nuno would no doubt love to put one over a club who sacked him after only 17 games.

Frank is under his own pressure at Spurs but has turned to a certain John Heitinga ahead of the game.

John Heitinga appointed as Tottenham assistant coach

On Thursday, Tottenham confirmed that the Dutchman had been appointed as Frank’s first-team assistant coach.

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The former Everton defender, of course, worked in a similar role under David Moyes at West Ham between 2023 and 2024.

Heitinga played under Moyes on Merseyside and would later join Arne Slot’s backroom staff at Liverpool before he was appointed as Ajax’s head coach in May 2025.

Things did not go to plan, however, and Heitinga was sacked by Ajax in November.

Kudus AND Bowen? Castellanos over Richarlison? Wan-Bissaka over Porro?

What changes would YOU make to our West Ham and Spurs combined XI

A statement from Frank on Tottenham’s official website read: “John is a great addition to our coaching staff. His ability, personality and character will add huge value both on and off the pitch.

“He had an impressive playing career across Europe – including five years in the Premier League – and with the Dutch national team.

“As a former defender, that will be one of his main responsibilities on the training pitch, and he brings great coaching and management experiences from all levels of the game, which will really help us moving forward.”

The Tottenham player that John Heitinga helped West Ham sign

Heitinga worked closely with Mohammed Kudus both before and during his time at West Ham.

The two crossed paths at Ajax and, speaking in 2023, Moyes confirmed that Heitinga helped him in the process of bringing Kudus to east London.

He said (via The Standard): “I didn’t know I was going to end up getting them [Kudus and Edson Alvarez] because they were two lads on our list of recruitment.

“We were keen on getting Joao Palhinha from Fulham and we didn’t get him. We were obviously looking to see who we could try and get after that. James Ward-Prowse was high on my list no matter what.

“But I was able to talk to Johnny about Edson and then Mo when he started to become a consideration. Steven Pienaar has been at Ajax as well and he was one of my ex-players [at Everton] so I phoned him about them too.”

Kudus, of course, left West Ham for Spurs last summer and managed to invoke the ire of Hammers supporters along the way with some of his comments.

The Ghana international, however, will not be able to feature on Saturday because of a quad injury that will likely rule him out until April.

While Nuno Espirito Santo hopes to have Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta available when West Ham United face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Thomas Frank will not be quite so fortunate with Mohammed Kudus.

Spurs could be without seven key players for the London derby.

Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison are long-term absentees, now joined on the sidelines by Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur. Pape Matar Sarr joins El Hadji Malick Diouf on Africa Cup of Nations duty as Senegal prepare to battle Morocco in Sunday’s final.

With these players out or doutbful, who needs to step up against Tottenham?!

In a further blow to his hopes of turning around a miserable campaign, Thomas Frank has lost Kudus potentially until the March international break. Barring a miracle of Biblical proportions, then, the Ghana international will not be facing off against his old employers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in that 3pm kick-off.

Now, the stats may suggest otherwise given that Mohammed Kudus has scored only twice in 19 Premier League matches since his £55 million move to North London. But Kudus is a big miss. No one in a Spurs shirt has made more assists or completed more dribbles, while only set-piece taker Pedro Porro has created more chances.

As far as former Aston Villa captain-turned-talkSPORT rent-a-quote Gabby Agbonlahor is concerned, though, these impressive underlying numbers should not distract from the one which matters most.

Gabby Agbonlahor hits out at Mohammed Kudus as West Ham United travel to Tottenham

Thomas Frank wanted more goals from Kudus when the winger became the first player since Scott Parker in 2011 to cross the West Ham – Tottenham divide in July.

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Ironically enough, Kudus’ stats are worse at Spurs than they were even during a poor second season on claret and blue. A goal every 9.5 games on average. One every 773 minutes.

Such a return could perhaps be excused if Tottenham still had a Harry Kane or a Heung-Min Son to hang their hat on. Richarlison is inconsistent and exasperating at the best of times, but he is the only Spurs player to net more than three Premier League goals in the Frank era.

For Agbonlahor, Kudus has a long way to go if he is to justify a price-tag which made him Spurs’ third-most expensive player ever.

“Mohammed Kudus, £55m? Scored two goals in 19? For me, West Ham must be rubbing their hands together with what they got for him,” Agbonlahor said. “You’ve been signed for £55 million!

“[Frank should be saying] ‘I need more from you’.”

“I don’t know about you, but if I got less than one in three, I would be gutted,” replied Alan Brazil, the one-time Manchester United and Scotland forward.

What do West Ham have to do to BEAT Tottenham on Saturday? ⚒️

And what is your favourite West Ham v Spurs moment?

Thomas Frank under pressure ahead of Nuno Espirito Santo visit

Kudus, in his defence, has tended to operate in a wider role at Spurs than he did at West Ham. His job under Frank has often been to hug the touchline and whip in crosses.

At his previous employers, where Kudus occasionally played in a more central role with Jarrod Bowen on the right, he averaged 2.3 shots per game. This season, he is averaging just 1.4.

Still, West Ham will not have to worry about Kudus returning to haunt Nuno’s visitors while improving on his underwhelming tally this weekend. Frank is arguably under greater pressure than his opposite number right now, with only four places separating the two London giants in the bottom seven.

“When I watch Spurs against Aston Villa in the FA Cup [a 2-1 home defeat last week], in the first-half, these players were not playing for the manager,” Agbonlahor argues. “Second-half, they were.

“But first-half, it didn’t look like they were respecting the manager and doing the basics of running around, let alone making something happen.”

Could Lucas Paqueta make a final Hammers appearance at Spurs?

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday lunchtime, Nuno confirmed that Lucas Paqueta could feature for West Ham if he is passed fit after a recent back injury. That is despite him pushing for a move to Flamengo and suggestions, put forward by prominent Hammers insider ExWHUemployee, that Paqueta and the West Ham board are at odds over his conduct.

Nuno also hopes to have Mateus Fernandes back, though the game could come too soon for Konstantinos Mavropanos.

“All of them are recovering from different things,” Nuno said. “Dino has had a neck [injury] that took some time. Still painful.

Lucas Paqueta has been heavily linked with a move away from West Ham United this month, with Flamengo and Tottenham Hotspur named as potential suitors for his signature.

Paqueta joined West Ham from Lyon for a club record fee back in August 2022 and despite the odd flash of brilliance, he has flattered to deceive for the most part.

And now his time at the London Stadium could now be set to come to an end, with Tottenham and Flamengo battling to obtain his signature.

Tottenham were linked with signing Paqueta earlier this month.

How will you LOOK BACK on Lucas Paqueta’s West Ham career? 🇧🇷

Rate his Hammers career out of 10

And then Paqueta’s former club Flamengo threw their hat into the mix in the race to sign the 28-year-old Hammer.

Paqueta is said to be desperate to join Flamengo and he has apparently made that very clear to the West Ham owners.

Lucas Paqueta to Flamengo twist with Tottenham bid revealed

It’s obvious to see that Paqueta wants to return to his homeland.

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He didn’t play against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, due to injury … apparently.

Now Paqueta is a big doubt to face Tottenham on Saturday.

As things stand, the former Lyon midfielder joining his former club Flamengo appears to be the most likely outcome in the January transfer window.

However, Flamengo are said to be only willing to go up to £26 million for the Brazil international (Sky Sports).

Brazilian journalist Rodrigo Mattos claims that Tottenham have submitted a £50 million bid for Paqueta.

Is it any wonder why the Hammers don’t want to sell him to Flamengo?

Nuno Espirito Santo’s stance on Lucas Paqueta

While selling a player to Tottenham for the second time in six months would be far from ideal for West Ham, the chance for the owners to potentially double their money will obviously be one they won’t want to miss out on.

Lucas Paqueta ‘wants to leave West Ham’ in the midst of a relegation battle – what’s your reaction?!

What was the point in this then? 🤔

Nuno has apparently agreed to let Paqueta leave West Ham in order to rejoin Flamengo.

Now it will be down to David Sullivan.

If Tottenham really are ready to splash the cash on Paqueta, the Hammers majority shareholder will surely be keen to send him to north London rather than back to Brazil.

It remains to be seen where Paqueta ends up, but it is obvious which club West Ham will want to sell him to, if Tottenham really are ready to pay £50 million for him.

Former Spurs star Eric Dier has snubbed a move to West Ham – but Ally McCoist believes the Hammers may have actually dodged a bullet.

It has been a woeful couple of years for both West Ham and their bitter rivals Spurs.

The Hammers actually finished above Tottenham Hotspur last season.

Only four places separate West Ham and Tottenham in the bottom half of the table again this season.

But it is West Ham who find themselves the wrong side of that dreaded dotted relegation line.

The two sides meet in north London on Saturday in what is a huge game for both clubs, whose fans are so fed up they are protesting against their respective owners.

West Ham and Spurs have fans up in arms

The stars are aligning for West Ham as Spurs lose seven key players for the clash with reports Thomas Frank could be sacked if Tottenham lose.

Nuno Espirito Santo returns to his old club and speculation has been rife this week he wanted a West Ham reunion with a defender who loved playing under him at Spurs in Eric Dier.

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How many more signings do we need to make for you to feel confident about staying up?! 🤔

Still an awful lot of work to do…

Many Hammers fans were thinking the season could not get much worse – until reports they were pushing to bring Dier back to London from Monaco.

Dier became something of a figure of fun for rival clubs during his time at Tottenham before moving on to Bayern Munich and then Monaco.

Dier has been offered to West Ham, much to the disbelief of many Hammers supporters who simply don’t rate the ex England centre-back.

The move tallies in many respects with West Ham’s abysmal defensive record and the fact Dier previously worked with Nuno during his ill-fated spell with Spurs in 2021.

Nuno may not have enjoyed a lengthy tenure in north London but he did leave an impression on Dier.

Nuno actually had a good start in charge of Tottenham and was named the Premier League’s Manager of the Month after securing three wins in as many games at the start of his time in charge.

Dier liked what he saw, telling Tottenham’s official website at the time that the now West Ham boss had an immediate impact.

Dier said: “Nuno’s come in and had such a calming influence on the squad. I think he’s really brought a serenity to the group and around the training ground and matchdays. We really needed that.”

Dier snubs West Ham and McCoist thinks they’ve dodged a bullet

It seems having Nuno in charge has counted for little, though.

Because West Ham have been snubbed by ex Spurs star Dier and Ally McCoist thinks they’ve dodged a bullet.

Eric Dier would be the PERFECT January signing for West Ham…😍

Disagree? Tell us why 👇

According to Sky Sports, Dier has rejected a move to West Ham and wants to stay at Monaco – who are not desperate to sell him either.

While missing out on a seasoned international might usually sting, McCoist’s view will strike a chord with most Hammers fans, as he suggests the club may have avoided a deal that carried more risk than reward at this stage.

“I’m going to tell you now, he would not be my first choice or anywhere near my first choice at this moment in time,” McCoist said on talkSPORT.

“There’s no doubt about it, he has been quality (in the past). Of course he has.

“But I don’t know. They need something West Ham, but I’m not sure it’s Eric Dier.”

Football is a game of opinions of course, but what do the statistics say about Dier in recent seasons?

He spent two seasons at Bayern Munich after joining from Tottenham in January 2024, ultimately making nearly 50 competitive appearances and scoring three goals for the Bundesliga champions before departing in summer 2025.

During his time in Munich, he helped the club secure the Bundesliga title, contributing as a centre-back and occasional starter across league and cup matches.

Since joining AS Monaco in 2025/26, Dier has been a regular figure in the Ligue 1 side’s defence, featuring in nine matches and scoring two goals.

Across both clubs, his role has blended defensive solidity with occasional offensive contributions, highlighting his experience and adaptability at top-flight European levels.

The fact West Ham fans were unsure Dier would be a better option than Max Kilman tells you all you need to know about the opinion of the defender in east London.

Lucas Paqueta’s future still remains shrouded in mystery ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham clash this weekend.

The Premier League game between West Ham and Tottenham is a vitally important one for both sides.

However, all the talk at the London Stadium right now is revolving around the future of Lucas Paqueta.

Over the past week or so, Paqueta has been linked with a move from West Ham to Flamengo.

How will you LOOK BACK on Lucas Paqueta’s West Ham career? 🇧🇷

Rate his Hammers career out of 10

Interestingly, Tottenham are said to be keen on signing Paqueta as well.

Nobody knows whether he will leave the club or stay beyond the end of the January transfer window.

In the here and now, though, the main question is: Will Paqueta play for West Ham against Tottenham?

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Major Lucas Paqueta twist ahead of West Ham vs Tottenham clash

With such a huge game against Spurs on the horizon for the Hammers, Paqueta’s situation rumbling on in the background will surely be a really unwelcome distraction for everyone at the club.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has been discussing Paqueta’s situation on The Transfer Show.

And Solhekol made a big claim about the Brazil international ahead of the Hammers’ clash with Spurs on Saturday.

“I can’t get inside his head this evening and tell you what he’s thinking,“ Solhekol said.

“But the information we’ve had today is that he is ready to play for West Ham in this crucial game against Spurs on Saturday.

“Now, that shouldn’t be breaking news that a West Ham player is willing to play for West Ham.

“But the background to this is, of course, that he missed the last game, the FA Cup game against QPR on Sunday. he wasn’t 100% fit for that game.

“We’re being told that he is 100% fit now, but the big picture is that he does want to return to Brazil for personal reasons.

“Now, I’m being told that West Ham are very reluctant to sell him. I’ve been told that it’s very unlikely that he will be allowed to move to Flamengo this window.

“And don’t forget the Brazilian window doesn’t actually close until March. I was told never say never, but it’s unlikely that he will leave this window, but he certainly wants to go to Brazil. So, if not this window, then almost certainly next summer.“

As Solhekol said, the fact that a West Ham player is ‘willing’ to play for the club should not be a big deal.

It should be a prerequisite.

However, when adding context into the mix, it could be a big boost for the Hammers.

Should Lucas Paqueta play for West Ham against Tottenham?

There were rumours that Paqueta refused to play for West Ham against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Lucas Paqueta ‘wants to leave West Ham’ in the midst of a relegation battle – what’s your reaction?!

What was the point in this then? 🤔

There are two ways of looking at this.

Firstly, do West Ham really want someone who is so desperate to leave to play against Tottenham where only a win will do?

On the other hand, Paqueta can be a real game-changer and the fact of the matter is that the Hammers don’t have anyone else like him right now.

Nuno will have to weigh up the pros and cons of playing him on Saturday.

One thing’s for sure, and that is that West Ham have to beat Tottenham this weekend and it seems as though Paqueta could be given the chance to sign off in style.

Mateus Fernandes picked up an injury as West Ham lost 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

The Portuguese midfielder got injured in the 80th minute against Forest, and that meant he could play no further role in the game.

This meant that he became a major doubt for the FA Cup clash against QPR as well as the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Who was West Ham’s MOTM against QPR and why?! 👀

Fernandes was absent from the matchday squad against QPR, and Nuno Espirito Santo did not issue an assurance that he would be available for the Spurs clash.

Mateus Fernandes expected back for Tottenham game

According to Claret and Hugh’s Sean Whetstone, the 21-year-old is expected to recover in time for the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He did sit out the FA Cup clash, but is expected to be in contention to play their arch rivals in the London derby this weekend.

Whetstone wrote on X: “Mateus Fernandes picked up a small injury against Nottingham Forest and was substituted in the 80th minute.

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“He missed the FA Cup game against QPR but is expected to recover and be available for Spurs away this weekend.”

Would you take relegation if it meant that David Sullivan would leave?! 🤔

Not a nice position to be in – but what would YOU choose if you had to?

Will Nuno Espirito Santo put Fernandes back in the playing eleven?

Nuno Espirito Santo deployed a double pivot and a back three in the game against QPR, but he is expected to move away from that system.

Konstantinos Mavropanos could be out for a while due to an injury, so Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman could play as centre-backs in a back four.

This would mean there is room for another player in the middle of the park, and there is a very good chance that Fernandes is the player Nuno picks.

Given Lucas Paqueta’s uncertain future at West Ham, it makes little to no sense to pick the Brazilian over the £42million summer signing.

How has Fernandes fared at West Ham?

The 21-year-old has hit the ground running since his move to the London Stadium and has been one of West Ham’s best players this season.

He has made 18 Premier League starts this term and has been exceptional in possession, with a pass accuracy of 88.9 per cent. [WhoScored]

Fernandes is also winning 2.6 tackles on average per 90 minutes and has given Nuno a midfielder who is not just good in possession but out of it as well.

Without the Portuguese, the team appears to lack that spark in the middle of the park, and his return gives them a better chance of getting something from the game against Spurs.

West Ham United travel to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend for what will be a vitally important game for both sides.

It’s fair to say that West Ham are more in need of the points than Tottenham but the way things have been going under Thomas Frank, a defeat to one of their fiercest rivals would not go down well.

The Premier League clash this weekend between the two London clubs should be an absolute cracker.

Tottenham could be without seven players for the West Ham clash and it’s a game that could see the end of Frank in the Spurs dugout if they fail to win.

Would you take relegation if it meant that David Sullivan would leave?! 🤔

Not a nice position to be in – but what would YOU choose if you had to?

Meanwhile, Nuno Espirito Santo has problems of his own, with Lucas Paqueta’s future unclear and the Brazilian allegedly refusing to play for West Ham against QPR on Sunday.

Saturday’s clash is more than just a must-not-lose for both sides. Nothing less than three points will do for Tottenham and West Ham.

Premier League make announcement ahead of Tottenham vs West Ham

There is huge excitement building already ahead of the London derby this weekend.

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However, the Premier League may have just put somewhat of a dampener on proceedings.

The Premier League have announced via their official website that Jarred Gillett will referee the Spurs vs Hammers clash on Saturday.

When the two clubs met at the London Stadium earlier on this season, Gillett ruled out Cristian Romero’s goal after deeming that Micky van de Ven had fouled Kyle Walker-Peters in the buildup.

The Tottenham players thought that the decision was an incredibly poor one, and it even prompted James Maddison to lament the standard of officiating after the game.

During the 14 Tottenham games that Gillett has officiated, the north London outfit have lost seven and won seven.

The Australian has handed out an incredible 33 yellow cards to Spurs players during those games, and one red card.

Gillett is someone who has caused plenty of controversy during his fairly short Premier League career.

West Ham have history with Jarred Gillett as well

Hammers fans will remember their trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in September 2022.

How much confidence does the win over QPR give you heading into Spurs? 👀

Oh, how sweet it would be to start to turn things around against them 😍

West Ham lost 2-1 to Chelsea after a last minute equaliser from Maxwel Cornet was ruled out by VAR.

Gillett was the lead VAR official that day and David Moyes suggested after the game that he ‘shouldn’t be anywhere near football’ (The Mirror).

The 39-year-old Australian seems to have made more enemies than friends in the English game.

Hopefully we are not talking about Gillett after the Tottenham vs West Ham Premier League clash.

Both sides desperately need a win so it should be an exciting game of football, with plenty of attacking intent.

Losing Lucas Paqueta mid-season may be something many West Ham United fans can accept. Losing Lucas Paqueta to Tottenham Hotspur, well, that would be a different story.

Last summer, Mohammed Kudus became the first player in 14 years to swap the Hammers for Spurs.

After a decade-and-a-half of no business whatsoever between West Ham United and their neighbours to the north, could two controversial cross-city transfers occur in the space of a few short months?

According to Torcida Flamengo, Tottenham were advancing in talks with Lucas Paqueta last week.

Lucas Paqueta ‘wants to leave West Ham’ in the midst of a relegation battle – what’s your reaction?!

What was the point in this then? 🤔

While the Brazil international is not quite the fan favourite of old – that two-year spot-fixing probe, a series of poor performances and numerous transfer sagas have damaged his reputation in claret and blue – seeing Paqueta link up with Kudus in the white shirt of a hated rival would somehow make a miserable campaign even more painful.

Fortunately – if ‘fortunately’ is the right word to describe a situation in which West Ham’s number ten reportedly refused to play against QPR on Sunday – Paqueta has his heart set on a return to Brazil with Flamengo rather than a reunion with former teammate Kudus.

West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta to snub Tottenham Hotspur for Flamengo

According to Diario AS journalist Eduardo Burgos, Tottenham threatened to blow Flamengo out the water when making a superior bid to their rivals from across the Atlantic.

MORE WEST HAM STORIES

Flamengo have already seen a £30 million bid rejected by West Ham, per The Guardian, though they are willing to go up to £35 million.

Now, most clubs would usually be happy enough to accept the bigger bid. But on occasions such as this, West Ham would be loath to lose another key player to Spurs, no matter how much money is on offer from the reigning Europa League champions.

The words of Brazilian reporter Rodrigo Mattos will be music to the ears, then, of those who were dreading the prospect of Paqueta threading through balls into Kudus’ path once again.

“I think his desire is clear. He wants to join Flamengo,” Mattos tells UOL Esporte. “Not just because he doesn’t want to go to Tottenham, which is a big English club, but also because he sees the atmosphere surrounding him in England, ever since the betting investigations began.

“He suffered a lot of reputational damage within England specifically. So I think that factor also plays into his desire to leave.”

Flamengo have enough money to spend on Brazil ace

Speaking to Globo Esporte a few months ago, Paqueta admitted he held talks with Flamengo as recently as last summer. The Rio-born playmaker started his career in the red and black stripes, and clearly feels he has unfinished business.

Their coffers boosted by their Club World Cup participation, Mattos explains that Flamengo now have just shy of £70 million to spend on wages and transfer fees. Paqueta would become the club’s record signing by some distance, then, but with plenty of money to spare.

“Investing half of what you have [to spend] for the season on a national team player isn’t absurd at all, right? Especially if you consider that the rest of your squad is already assembled,” Mattos adds.

“There is room for this Paqueta signing. Whether it will close, whether there will be an agreement, we’ll see. But it makes sense; there’s logic within Flamengo’s financial movement for an investment of that scale.

“He’s not coming to Flamengo [specifically] to go to the World Cup. He’s coming to Flamengo to be happy. He’s coming to Flamengo to play where he wants to play.”

How much confidence does the win over QPR give you heading into Spurs? 👀

Oh, how sweet it would be to start to turn things around against them 😍

Paqueta surely won’t feature when West Ham face Tottenham

Ironically, West Ham will face Tottenham as the Premier League returns next weekend. Say what you want about Paqueta’s professionalism or a lack thereof, his likely absence from Saturday’s London derby removes an unwanted distraction from proceedings.

“That’s the scenario: playing at a competitive level, at a level where he’s competing for titles, competing for wins, being challenged to play more and better because the opponents in the Libertadores and the Brasileirao will demand that of him. And then playing the World Cup later,” explains Mattos.

“Of course, playing in the Premier League is a challenge, but it’s a challenge from a different perspective, because West Ham isn’t challenging [for titles]. They can’t even get out of 18th place!

“So it’s a different kind of challenge.

“Paqueta doesn’t need to come to Flamengo to make the World Cup. He’s coming to Flamengo – if he comes – because he wants to play for Flamengo.”

The stars appear to be aligning for West Ham on and off the pitch ahead of their crucial Premier League clash with bitter rivals Spurs.

There is no love lost between the Hammers and Tottenham Hotspur but rarely has more been riding on a Premier League match between them than there is this weekend.

West Ham and Spurs have been so bad over the last two years that both their fanbases have been protesting for new owners.

Tottenham managed to win the Europa League to give themselves Champions League football and the added income that comes with it.

That has enabled Spurs to goad West Ham, especially since ending a 14-and-a-half-year transfer embargo by snatching away Mohammed Kudus for £54.5m in the summer.

Stars align for West Ham as Spurs crisis deepens

Whatever some Hammers fans feel about Kudus and his lack of end product, there is no doubt they have missed his explosive power and pace.

One look at the league table is evidence of that.

How much confidence does the win over QPR give you heading into Spurs? 👀

Oh, how sweet it would be to start to turn things around against them 😍

West Ham had their noses rubbed in it when Kudus starred in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over them a few weeks into what has been an utterly miserable campaign so far.

MORE WEST HAM STORIES

While Tottenham fans think they have it bad enduring the struggles under yet another manager in Thomas Frank, the Hammers are cut adrift in the Premier League relegation zone.

Most have already written the Hammers off in their bid for survival with 17 games to go.

But a win over fierce rivals Spurs could breathe new life into West Ham’s fight.

And now the stars are aligning for West Ham as Spurs lose seven key players for the crucial clash that could see Frank sacked.

The atmosphere at Tottenham’s stadium is extremely volatile with the club once again massively underperforming as they sit 14th in the table.

After exiting the FA Cup, Spurs fans – many of whom have been calling for Frank’s head – are planning a protest against their owners ahead of and during the West Ham match.

Protests, 7 key stars out and Frank sack looms as Spurs host Hammers

Tottenham players have been bickering with supporters and speculation has been rife Frank could be sacked if he suffers a defeat to lowly West Ham.

Victory for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could close the gap on safety to four points, giving the Hammers hope heading into the last 16 games.

Lucas Paqueta ‘wants to leave West Ham’ in the midst of a relegation battle – what’s your reaction?!

What was the point in this then? 🤔

West Ham won for the first time in 11 matches when beating QPR 2-1 in the FA Cup at the weekend.

So the Hammers head to Spurs with a bit more confidence.

Meanwhile Tottenham will go into the game without seven key stars – including their top goalscorer and their best player.

Tottenham’s top scorer and chief wind-up merchant Richarlison will miss the West Ham game through injury.

So too will that man Kudus, arguably Spurs’ best player this season, who is out until April.

Midfield duo Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur are both out as are long-term absentees Dejan Kulisevski and James Maddison.

Pape Sarr is still at AFCON, along with West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf. They play Egypt in the AFCON semi-final on Wednesday night.

Even if they are knocked out, their return to action for the weekend is not guaranteed.

Question marks over Gallagher and Paqueta for Spurs vs West Ham

Destiny Udogie is another who has been a doubt but is expected to be available.

Spurs could however be boosted by the signing of longstanding West Ham target Conor Gallagher while the Hammers may be without Lucas Paqueta, who refused to play in the FA Cup as he pushes for a move back to Brazil.

Spurs have also made an offer to West Ham for Paqueta.

With Frank under pressure to win to keep his job, disgruntled fans protesting against the owners and at odds with the players and a team already in poor form missing seven key stars there will arguably never be a better time for West Ham to beat Tottenham.

And a win over their rivals has arguably never been so important given their Premier League lives are very much on the line.

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been heavily linked with a shock move to Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window.

It was only six months ago when West Ham sold Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham.

Now Paqueta could make the same move in the January transfer window, it seems.

However, what does Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo make of the situation? Does he want to keep the Brazilian at the London Stadium or is he happy to sanction his exit?

Would you take relegation if it meant that David Sullivan would leave?! 🤔

Not a nice position to be in – but what would YOU choose if you had to?

Paqueta joined West Ham from Lyon in the summer of 2022 and arrived at the club with huge expectations on his shoulders.

However, aside from his through-ball to Jarrod Bowen in the Europa Conference League final in 2023, he hasn’t managed to justify the huge transfer fee that the Hammers paid for him.

Paqueta could well be nearing an exit from West Ham, but is Nuno happy to let him go?

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Tottenham eyeing shock Lucas Paqueta deal

It wouldn’t have been too long ago when claims of a West Ham player joining Tottenham would be laughed off as nothing more than mere speculation.

However, after the Kudus deal in the summer, that’s no longer the case.

The surprise links started last week.

Reports claimed that West Ham ace Paqueta is on the Tottenham radar in the January transfer window.

It was then claimed that Flamengo had joined Spurs in the race to sign Paqueta.

The Brazilian is said to be keen on a return to his homeland, but the opportunity to play in the Champions League this season may prove to be difficult to turn down for him.

Will he actually be allowed to leave the London Stadium, though?

Paqueta is still under contract with West Ham until the summer of 2027 after all, and the club have an option to extend that deal by a further 12 months.

Nuno makes Lucas Paqueta transfer decision

Paqueta’s future will surely all come down to how hard he pushes to leave this month.

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Beating QPR in the FA Cup would be a start…

According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Nuno actually wants to keep Paqueta at the London Stadium.

So, it will be really interesting now to see what happens with the 28-year-old.

If he does end up joining Tottenham, will that mean that the Hammers board have vetoed Nuno?

Or will the West Ham boss accept the fact that it’s better to get rid of a player who simply doesn’t want to be there, rather than keep him in the hope that he’ll produce the odd bit of magic here and there?

The prudent play may well be to just move him on. If West Ham can get anything like £25 million from Tottenham for Paqueta, selling him should be a no-brainer.

He simply hasn’t been good enough for the Hammers and his body language reeks of someone who does not want to be at the London Stadium.