As Lucas Paqueta continues to be linked with a transfer to Manchester City, Micah Richards once lavished praise on to him in May this year.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day 2, the popular pundit expressed his views on the 25-year-old, who West Ham United are open to sell only for £85 million, as opposed to the initial £70 million offer made by City.
However, Micah Richards lauded Lucas Paqueta, who has now been targeted by Manchester City as a summer signing.
What Micah Richards once said about Manchester City target Lucas Paqueta
It was revealed on Wednesday that Pep Guardiola has ‘always been a fan’ of the Hammers midfielder.
Interestingly, the former Lyon attacker himself is believed to be dreaming of a move to the Etihad Stadium.
Back in May, Micah Richards heaped praise on Manchester City target Lucas Paqueta after his fine performance against Leeds United.
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“Paqueta, he’s just on fire at the moment. He had a bit of a slow start, we know how good he can be.”
“I don’t know how he gets out of this piece of space here, he’s just got wonderful feet, a little flick there. Just rolls him and you think what’s he going to do. A little pass? He just rolls him again and it’s just the composure.”
Micah Richards continued to praise Manchester City-linked attacker Lucas Paqueta, while explaining what went wrong for him during his initial few months at West Ham.
“We’re talking about skill, we’ll show it again in slow motion, roll in the box. That is a man playing with so much confidence. He did [take time to settle], but you know the way sometimes West Ham set up, it can be defensive at times, but now he feels like he’s got a bit of freedom and they definitely look a better team when he plays like this.”
Lucas Paqueta would fit in perfectly under Pep Guardiola
Micah Richards is certainly right in emphasizing why Lucas Paqueta was struggling during his start to life in English football, as he seems like he would set the world alight at Manchester City.
Unlike at the London Stadium where David Moyes plays quite a defensive brand of football, the Brazilian international would fit into Pep Guardiola’s attacking philosophy.
To add to that, Paqueta also has the technical chops to make the grade at the Etihad Stadium.
Capable of playing as both an advanced midfielder and on the wing, Guardiola would admire his versatility and would likely elevate his game to the next level.